Hoist vs Winch for Hardtop Lifting

[cbrenthus]

I've been wanting to get an automated lifting device for the Bronco. Last year I just used ratchet straps in the rafters, and ratcheted it all the way up, but now the ceiling is finished and that is really a pain, especially to lower. The 2 options I'm considering are a celling mounted hoist:

https://www.harborfreight.com/440-lb-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-60346.html

Or a wall mounted winch with pulleys:
https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-120v-ac-electric-winch-61672.html


I prefer the winch, but it says not for vertical lifting. I'm hoping that means don't bolt it to the ceiling and try to raise stuff, but hopefully mounting on the wall and using pulleys is OK. At least 2 of the reviewers have shared pictures of lifting things vertically with pulleys. I'm guessing if you do this, it's not rated for 1500lbs, but maybe a fraction of that but should be enough for the hard top.

The advantages with the winch are that I can raise the top much higher, and if it ever breaks, I can replace it much easier being on the wall.

DISCLAIMER: I believe that the raising and lowering device should not be used to secure the load, and will have safety straps in place to keep the hard top secure.

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[CalvinT]

I think a hoist has a built in brake and a winch doesn't. A winch will release the line as soon as you cut power. A hoist applies an internal brake as soon as you cut power. A separate cable brake would solve that problem.

Lack of a brake is why they warn against using the winch for lifting.

It's similar to using a block and tackle to lift something. You have to hold onto the rope unless you tie it off.

 

[Fordified1]

As light as the top is, either will work. And theoretically I believe you could mount the hoist sideways on the wall like you would the winch, (top corner against the ceiling) and use a pulley above the center of the top.

 

[DALOLA]

I put this in my garage in my RTT days, now use it for my top. Works great.

https://www.harken.com/en/shop/jeeptruck-tops/

 

[cbrenthus]

As light as the top is, either will work. And theoretically I believe you could mount the hoist sideways on the wall like you would the winch, (top corner against the ceiling) and use a pulley above the center of the top.

I like that idea, since the hoist is much cheaper

 

[cbrenthus]

I put this in my garage in my RTT days, now use it for my top. Works great.

https://www.harken.com/en/shop/jeeptruck-tops/

Not looking to spend that much on something manual, but it does make me wonder if manual is safer for lowering back down as you can control the speed and be gentle when setting it on the vehicle

 

[DALOLA]

Not looking to spend that much on something manual, but it does make me wonder if manual is safer for lowering back down as you can control the speed and be gentle when setting it on the vehicle

Wonder no more, the answer is yes. (safer for raising as well..) There is something satisfying with simple things that work.

 

[Phil B]

The same hoist goes by several different brand names and is inexpensive. You have total control so I feel it's safer than something electric. I have to open the release pawl by hand to bring mine down, but it's no big deal. Probably because the top is light and I had to run my lines at an angle. I can have my top on or off in 15 - 20 minutes. Excuse the messy garage, I swear I'm not a hoarder.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/kokochain-roof-hoist-installed.77976/

 

[HolidayDog]

I bought the harken hoist system. It’s manual but it doesn’t take much effort or strength to raise and lower it. Very easy to lower and raise with precision. I put tape on the floor to help line up my rear parking guides so I know I am in the right spot and straight.

I made a mistake by buying the beefier harken one than I need for my top/ and ski box topper. The weight of my ski box isn’t enough to lower it so I use a hockey stick or ski pole to trigger the drop mechanism. Buy the one recommended for your hard top weight. The bigger stronger one is not what you want.

 

[Mako]

I've been wanting to get an automated lifting device for the Bronco. Last year I just used ratchet straps in the rafters, and ratcheted it all the way up, but now the ceiling is finished and that is really a pain, especially to lower. The 2 options I'm considering are a celling mounted hoist:

https://www.harborfreight.com/440-lb-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-60346.html

Or a wall mounted winch with pulleys:
https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-120v-ac-electric-winch-61672.html


I prefer the winch, but it says not for vertical lifting. I'm hoping that means don't bolt it to the ceiling and try to raise stuff, but hopefully mounting on the wall and using pulleys is OK. At least 2 of the reviewers have shared pictures of lifting things vertically with pulleys. I'm guessing if you do this, it's not rated for 1500lbs, but maybe a fraction of that but should be enough for the hard top.

The advantages with the winch are that I can raise the top much higher, and if it ever breaks, I can replace it much easier being on the wall.

DISCLAIMER: I believe that the raising and lowering device should not be used to secure the load, and will have safety straps in place to keep the hard top secure.

Use a hoist , the brake will support the load over time.

 

[cbrenthus]

Well, y'all convinced me and I got the harken... Happened to start searching and found an opened, but unused one on ebay for just under $60 with tax and shipping. We'll see how it goes

 

[DALOLA]

Well, y'all convinced me and I got the harken... Happened to start searching and found an opened, but unused one on ebay for just under $60 with tax and shipping. We'll see how it goes

Nice find! I'll be shocked if you don't love the way it works. Post pix when you have it up & working.

 

[Sparkie]

Well, y'all convinced me and I got the harken... Happened to start searching and found an opened, but unused one on ebay for just under $60 with tax and shipping. We'll see how it goes

As @DALOLA mentioned earlier, these manual systems work very well.
Taking off or putting on the top can be done by a single old man (me), and I have the heavier painted modular top.
It works especially nice when slowly lowering the top's alignment pins into their respective holes.
I can lower it with one hand and use my free hand to gently move the top as needed.

 

[Rydfree]

The same hoist goes by several different brand names and is inexpensive. You have total control so I feel it's safer than something electric. I have to open the release pawl by hand to bring mine down, but it's no big deal. Probably because the top is light and I had to run my lines at an angle. I can have my top on or off in 15 - 20 minutes. Excuse the messy garage, I swear I'm not a hoarder.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/kokochain-roof-hoist-installed.77976/

I have that one and another identical by a different name. Each was less than $40 delivered when I purchased them. They are simply a copy of the Harkin hoist, although comparing it to a friends true Harken they appear identical. One I use to keep my spare top hoisted to the ceiling for storage and the other is used regularly to remove & install the top on the Bronco. They work great.

 

[cbrenthus]

Question about the hoist: any reason the roof can’t be lifted turned 90 degrees? It’s hard to explain, but basically the closest wall is to the side of the Bronco, not in front

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