There are different types of towing winches including hydraulic and electric. Both types are powerful and have their own advantages. In this article, we will explore the many advantages of a hydraulic towing winch over its electric counterpart.
Before we explore this topic further, it is important to clarify that even though hydraulic winches have certain advantages over electric winches, it does not mean that electric winches are in any way, lesser, as compared to their hydraulic counterparts. The fact of the matter is that marine hydraulic towing winches make more sense in certain situations.
Before exploring the advantages of one system over another, let’s first discuss the major difference between these two. The most obvious difference between these two is that an electric winch is powered by electricity which is used for powering the motor. The hydraulic winch, on the other hand, uses a hydraulic system. An electric winch is easier to install and operate as compared to a hydraulic system.
Power
In terms of power, an electric towing winch does not come close to a hydraulic winch. If you need a winch for a powerful application, you should always go with a hydraulic towing winch. In terms of sheer power, it would be better to have a hydraulic winch if you need to tow a vehicle in a rather tough situation. This is the biggest advantage of a hydraulic winch over its electric counterpart.
Installation and Usage
As far as the installation is concerned, it is much more easier to install an electric winch. The electric winch takes power from the car battery and there is no need to install any other system for using an electric winch. On the other hand, a hydraulic winch installation is more complicated as compared to an electric winch but it also delivers much more power. For installation of a hydraulic towing winch, you will also need to install certain other equipment.
Performance and Durability
A hydraulic winch does not take power from your car battery. It is not going to suddenly stop working if the car battery dies down. The tow winch is capable of providing constant performance which is not the case with an electric winch. An electric winch may not be able to perform at its best unless it is able to draw enough power from the battery which may not be the case always. This is why when you are using a towing vehicle for a critical rescue, it is always better to go with a hydraulic winch as it is not going to fail you whereas an electric one might not work as expected.
Pricing
As far as the cost is concerned, a hydraulic winch is much more expensive as compared to an electric winch due to the use of so many more components. However, the price difference isn’t that high if you take into account the power you can get from a hydraulic towing winch.
Final Thoughts
Overall, a hydraulic winch makes much more sense if you are searching for a consistent and durable experience that is unlikely to fail in any condition. An electric winch has its uses but it cannot match the performance of a hydraulic towing winch.