Of the differences in common winches, the motor and the gear train are the top two design differences that will determine the quality and stamina for an intended use. The motor will vary in motor type and in the horsepower rating. The gear train will vary with different types of gear systems, each with their own characteristics and benefits.
Both the motor and gear train work together resulting in the final rating of an electric winch. Understanding these important fundamentals will help you understand what winch you should buy.
Winch Motor Type
Winches use two types of DC motors, Permanent Magnet Motors and Series Wound Motors.
All electric DC winch motors consist of one set of coils, called an armature, inside another set of coils or a set of permanent magnets, called the stator. It is the job of the stator to produce a magnetic field which will cause the rotor (or armature) to rotate when an electric current flows through it. Applying a voltage to the coils produces a torque in the armature, resulting in motion.
With all types of motors, the higher the horsepower rating, the more toque and power the motor will have. The winch rating is a combination of motor torque and gear train gear ratio reduction. Motor horsepower has a direct effect on both line speed & pulling power.
