mounting winch 'backwards'?

[3VILC]

Is there any reason I can't mount my winch backwards and respool the cable from the other direction so it still exits at the bottom? Reason I ask is I already have a winch mount right up between the chassis rails (radiator in rear), but the motor end of the winch can't fit next to the steering box, but if I flip it and put the gearbox at that end it should fit.
Thanks, Clive

[kbushnz]

The only issue I can think of is how they might have designed the mounts.
If they are still bolted the same way then that part is ok...
If not like if you turned around a Warn 8274.. The mounts go from compression loads to tensile loads...
The other thing to watch when changing how it spools...
Is the brake operation.....

[shortylux]

Yeah. If your rope goes off the bottom normally, and you turn it round, then the rope now needs to come off the top for some brakes to work.

[Crash bandicoot]

I think the brake in a winch is only designed to work one way

[mudlva]

I think the brake in a winch is only designed to work one way

100% right there the brake us designed to grab once the motor stops winching in and in the case of winching out it disengages by just enough to allow drum rotation. This us based on the idea of using a winch to lower a vehicle down slopes etc. to change complete direction will kill the brake and overload the motor.
Basically no can do unless you can mod the braking system as well

[shortylux]

But if you pull the rope off the top instead of the bottom (once you have turned the winch left to right), then the rope is infact feeding off in the same direction, just 180 degrees earlier. As such the drum is rotating in the same direction and the brake functions as per the factory intention.

[DMcCready]

I have an 8k pound warn winch mounted backwards with the rope feeding off the top. Not ideal but it hasnt caused a problem yet and still pulls hard with no mounting issues...If i hadnt caught the winch on a stump in the process of rolling end over end it would still be minty

[Crash bandicoot]

I have an 8k pound warn winch mounted backwards with the rope feeding off the top. Not ideal but it hasnt caused a problem yet and still pulls hard with no mounting issues...If i hadnt caught the winch on a stump in the process of rolling end over end it would still be minty

aren't ya meant to mount it behind the bull bar

[3VILC]

Thanks guys, I tthought the brake may be one way only. Over the top it is then. Shouldn't be an issue. No other way to fit it. Must've been designed for a warn high mount I'd say

[darinz]

Some winches eg Come-up / Superwinch EP9 (which are in fact the same winch) can run in both directions due to how the brake works.
That being said most winches can run backwards, and the brake will work fine BUT you are then powering over the brake when winding in (actually out) and so overloading the motor and wearing out the brake.

So what type of winch do you have?

[3VILC]

It's just a generic unbranded Chinese winch so doubt it has any advanced features haha. Bit hey it's better than nothing. Just rather have it tucked away and not have to fab up a whole New mount

[darinz]

The winches with cone brakes can normally run in both directions with no problem as the brake works the same both ways. So maybe you have one that copied a good design???

[Crash bandicoot]

The winches with cone brakes can normally run in both directions with no problem as the brake works the same both ways. So maybe you have one that copied a good design???

It's Chinese....