GearMatic 8A vs. 8G Winch -- Which to Use? -- Good vs. Bad??

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dr.fireman10
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GearMatic 8A vs. 8G Winch -- Which to Use? -- Good vs. Bad??

Post by dr.fireman10 » Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:58 am

I am trying to decide which winch will be the best choice to put on the back of my 420 Crawler. . . its main use will be pulling logs out of the woods that we use for firewood with our wood burner. I have two parts crawlers -- one has an 8A winch and the other has an 8G Winch. Ive done some looking in the archives and I know the 8A is hydraulic control and the 8G is more of a mechanical control. . . my main question is if I have the choice is one model preferable over the other? I do have the hydraulic actuator for the 8A; have not looked inside to see the quality of the internals yet. All the levers seem to move freely on the 8G. Thanks for any help/advice/guidance.
JD 430C 40V 420S 430S 430W 430T 435 630S

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Lavoy
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Post by Lavoy » Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:13 am

I have run both to a small extent, these are my thoughts.
The 8G has no chance to lose fluid, so it always works. It has a mechanical brake, so usually easier to spool out. If you have a reverser and are real careful, you can power out. The one potential problem I see with the 8G is it is also always going to pull as long as the engine is running. If you are alone and something happens to you, it runs til it stalls the engine or breaks something.
With an 8A, it only pulls as long as you are holding the lever, let go, it stops. There is also a limit to what an 8A will pull, eventually the clutch will slip, maybe before you break something.
I guess if I was alone, I would use an 8A, if always with someone, then maybe the 8G.
Lavoy
Last edited by Lavoy on Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
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DukeofDeere
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Post by DukeofDeere » Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:21 am

Lavoy you may want to revisit your post here. There is no reference to the 8A on what you like . It is all 8G. I'm confused.

Duke

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Post by Lavoy » Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:04 am

Hell to get old and senile, post is revised. :oops:
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
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dr.fireman10
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Winch Opinion Reply

Post by dr.fireman10 » Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:24 am

Thanks Lavoy.
Another factor that will play into which one gets installed is the interior of each of them. It may come down to which winch is closer to operating condition. I will have to post back with what I find and with more questions that I am sure are to come.

Dave
JD 430C 40V 420S 430S 430W 430T 435 630S

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Gil
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Post by Gil » Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:41 pm

Dave, I sent you a PM (private message).
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gregjo1948
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Post by gregjo1948 » Sun Feb 02, 2014 7:30 am

I've had both winches and prefer the G. Too much to go wrong with the A. Good idea to install safety bearier between operator and winch on either and especialy the G. The G will pull until you stall the engine or break something. If it's the cable that breaks, it can come back to the machine with great force. You can stop the G winch by just pushing the clutch. You also don't have the accuator hogging your left fender with the G. gregjo1948
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