Superwinch ATV3000 Winch Review

[Trail Rider]

Superwinch ATV3000 Winch

First Impression When you use your ATV for working hard and playing even harder, what is the first major modification you will be wanting or needing? For me the answer is a winch. I decided on a Superwinch ATV3000 winch because they are a well known and respected company, and the ATV3000 is the largest winch they recommended to fit on my 2007 Honda Rubicon. I also chose the Freedom Switch wireless remote control because it looked like it might be a handy accessory. When I received the package from the guy in the big brown truck, I was impressed with the excellent packaging. No chance at all for damage. When I first opened the big box and then the smaller boxes, I could tell right away, by looking at the items and hardware that this was a quality product. The mounting plate was heavily made with no sharp edges, and was powder coated to keep it from rusting. The winch is also a well made piece of equipment that at first glance appeared that it might be too big for the Rubicon. At this point the wireless control was more of a curiosity, but it looked to be a quality unit. I must admit I was a little intimidated by the amount of wiring and electrical components included, but the instructions seemed to be easy to follow and very complete so I dug into it.

Installation Installation began by physically mounting the winch and mounting plate to the ATV. As I stated before, this is the largest winch that is recommended for the Rubicon, and it is a tight squeeze to install, but once everything is bolted in place, it looks like Honda might have designed the Rubicon around this winch. I did have to do a little clearance work to the bumper brackets and the oil cooler mount with a grinder, but this was minimal. Now it was time for the wiring. I decided to first get the winch wiring completed, then to add the remote control. This turned out to be the right thing to do. I followed the instructions one item at a time and had the job completed in no time. There were several electrical components such as the solenoid and the receiver that had to be installed on the ATV. The instructions gave a general idea of where to locate these things, but since all ATVs are not alike, final location for these items is up to the person doing the installation. I should also note that the Freedom Switch wireless remote can be installed on any ATV with almost any winch, so if you currently have a winch, and the Freedom Switch looks like something you would like to add to your ATV, you can add just the Freedom Switch and enjoy the safety and convenience it provides.

Initial Testing So far, my testing of the Superwinch ATV3000 has been somewhat limited due to a lot of bad weather prohibiting me from hitting the trails as much as I would have liked. I have had the opportunity, however, to use the winch to drag a fallen tree out of the way in order to open a trail, and to pull my wife’s Honda Rancher up a nearly vertical incline. Both of these tasks were performed without even slowing this winch down. I have found that the Superwinch ATV3000 operates relatively quietly, I find that the cable speed is about right so that it does it’s job in a reasonable amount of time without being so fast that it would be dangerous. It is equipped with an automatic braking system so that it holds the load while not pulling. It is also very easy to disengage for free spooling. I can find nothing at all to complain about with this winch.

The Freedom Switch wireless remote control was at first, for me, just a gadget that I thought would be handy. The more I use this thing, the more impressed I am with it. This unit comes with two key fobs. They are just like the one you use to lock and unlock the doors on your car or truck. They each have two buttons clearly marked for cable out and cable in. The beauty of this thing is that you don’t have to be on your ATV to operate the winch. If you are on your ATV the regular switch is there and works just like it always did. But if you want to use the wireless control you just push the button on the key fob. You can be at the other end of the cable guiding whatever it is you are pulling. Or you can be standing to the side, just in case the cable would break.

Conclusion The Superwinch ATV3000 winch and the Freedom Switch wireless remote control are both first rate products, and after installing them and using both of them I can find no reason for complaint with either item. I recommend both items highly.

For More Information on Superwinch Contact Them at:

Superwinch, Inc. (USA)
45 Danco Rd.
Putnam, CT 06260 USA
Tel: (860) 928-7787
Fax: (860) 928-1143
Sales Fax: (860) 963-0811

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Standard Features
		Powers Load IN and OUT
		Mechanical and Dynamic Brake
		Full metal, 3-Stage Planetary Gear-train
		Cam Action Freespooling Clutch
		High efficiency, low amp draw, sealed permanent magnet motor
		Circuit Breaker Protected
		Weather Sealed Solenoid Contactor
		4-way Roller Fairlead
		Heavy Duty Latched Hook with Thimble

		Performance 12VDC (Bottom Layer)
		Line Pull lbs./kg	Line Speed FPM (m/m)	Motor Amps
		0	18.0 (5.5)	14
		500 (227)	15.5 (4.7)	50
		1,000 (454)	13.0 (3.9)	80
		1,500 (680)	10.3 (3.1)	120
		2,000 (907)	8.3 (2.5)	160
		2,500 (1134)	6.3 (1.9)	210
		3000 (1161)	3.3 (1.0)	250

		Specifications
		Rated Line Pull (Bottom Layer)	3000 lb (1361 kg)
		Motor	1.5 hp
		Gearing	3-stage planetary
		Gear Ratio	145:1
		Freespooling Clutch	Cam action
		Braking	Mechanical and Dynamic
		Wire Rope	3/16” (4.8mm) x 50' (15.2m)
		Dimensions	12.6”l. x 4.7” d. x 4.7” h.
			(320mm l. x 119mm d. x 119mm h.)
		Drum Diameter	2.2” (55.9mm)
		Drum Length	2.9” (73.6mm)
		Weight	16lb (7.26kg)
		Switching Method	Handlebar Mounted Toggle
		Switching Mechanism	Heavy Duty, Sealed Solenoid
		Roller Fairlead	Standard, 4-way
		Color-Coded Wiring	Yes
		Handheld Remote, 10'	Optional
		Wireless Remote	Optional

		Recommended Accessories
		Accessory Kit	2302286
		Hand held remote, 10' with Socket Wiring	2340200
		Wireless Remote Kit	06212
		Pulley Block	2227A
		1” x 8' Tree-saver Strap	2302284
		ATV Bow Shackles	2302285
		Replacement Parts
		Wire Rope	1535C
		5/32" x 50' (3.9mm x 15.2m)
		Dimensions

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