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Passing through rough terrain during bad weather and getting your truck stuck in the middle of nowhere is nothing less than a nightmare. But this is a constant danger for all off-road drivers out there.
The only useful piece of equipment under such conditions is a winch that can pull your vehicle out of a muddy pit.
One of the top products specially designed for such an event is the Badland ZXR 12000 Lbs. Let's see what makes it such a great product.
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Badland ZXR 12000 Lb. IP 66 Weather Resistant
PROS
CONS
Table of Contents
Specs and Dimensions
- Manufacturer: BADLAND
- Weight: around 84 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 7 x 11 inches
- Pull Weight: Up to 12000 lbs
- Brake Type: Automatic load-holding
- Rope Material: Aircraft-Grade Wire
Main Features
Some main key features make this Badland winch stand out on the market. These include:
IP66 Rated Weatherproof
This device is designed to perform in harsh weather conditions with maximum power efficiency. It has been approved as an IP66-rated unit, is completely dustproof, and can undergo heavy usage.
This device is also built to withstand high amounts of water without the danger of any short-circuit. This unit's remarkable ability to resist harsh weather and rainy conditions is something that other competitors' products hugely lack.
Series-Wound Motor to Keep Cool
After intensive testing and experiments, this device is designed with advanced technology. Different features have been incorporated in it, which were previously not available in any model.
One such feature is that it can pull or tow for a very long time without getting hot and burning out. The build quality and the astonishing series-wound motor enable it to perform with such strength and power.
High-Quality Cable Rope
It offers a high-quality cable rope that is made with aircraft-grade materials. These cable ropes are specially built by coiling together metal wires that form a helix. This helix gives rise to the composite rope. Therefore, winch has an exceptional load limit of 12000 pounds.
These ropes can withstand high-pressure situations.
The coiled design also increases its durability and evenly distributes the load over every strand of the cable.
Additional Safety Measures
For your vehicle's safety, the manufacturers have added an automatic load-holding brake system that helps you get over any emergency. It locks the wire in its place. If any mechanical failure occurs, you can rely on the safety protocols incorporated in this machine.
Pros
Here are some of the top eye-catching pros of this product.
Build Quality
Badland has invested a lot of thought into manufacturing this product. The result of all their efforts is a winch that can withstand even the roughest and tough conditions.
Approved as an IP66 rated device, it can undergo extreme weather conditions and resist harmful effects on its functionality. It has an almost unbreakable design, which makes it low maintenance and easy to use as well.
The body of the winch is entirely dust and waterproof. This makes it ideal for outdoor use, especially in humid and rainy climates.
Excellent Customer Support
The company focuses on the customer experience that this product provides. They have made the installation relatively easy as compared to other competing models. Weighing at around 90 pounds, this winch is excellent for heavy-duty use. However, if there are any technical issues or if you are new to winches, the company will do it's best to help you out.
Budget-Friendly
There are a lot of winches on the market that claim to get heavy-duty work done but at a very high price. Even after paying heavily, most customers are often disappointed and later furious at the poor customer care. The Badland ZXR promises durability and high weight pulling capacity at a lower price than many rivals on the market.
The average winch that can bear this much load costs around $300 to $500. However, that is not the case with this unit.
Built-in Safety
A 90-pound machine at the top of your front bumper might sound a bit challenging and worrying. However, with this unit's built-in safety features, it's a lot easier. It has fairly sturdy and robust exterior and has a very stylish and up-to-date look.
One safety feature in this machine includes the automatic load brake. It stops the cable from rolling back to prevent accidents and injuries. Other features, such as its waterproof nature and a series-wound motor that remain cool after extensive use, are remarkable.
Cons
Let's discuss some setbacks of this unit.
Slow Speed
Although this winch offers excellent power, its speed is a bit disappointing.
It features a three-stage planetary system for gear transitions to speed up the process. But most customer reports show that it doesn't do the job well and can be slower compared to other products on the market.
One possible reason for this could be the exceptional amount of weight the device has to carry. Under 12000 lbs, it is understandable why the winch is slower than expected.
Over Heating
Some customers report that this product overheats. It may indeed overheat if used for a long time without giving any rest to the mechanical parts inside. Electrical winches can perform at their maximum potential for a limited amount of time.
Therefore, the Badland ZXR might not be the best option for frequent use, as it requires some rest and room for cooling down.
What is the Badland ZXR 12000 Lb Winch Best For?
Here are some instances in which you can use the product:
Off-Road Self-Recovery
This unit can help off-road enthusiasts recover their own vehicle if stuck in a situation. Whether your vehicle is stuck in a pit or a muddy pool, having a winch with you can be of great help.
Helping Someone Else
Even if the winch is attached to your vehicle's bumper, it can still be used to help and pull out someone else's car. The only key issue here is that the other person's vehicle should not weigh more than the winch's load capacity of 12000 lb. As a result, if you are racing off-road, going to an off-road racing event, or just simply driving there for fun, having this unit can be immensely useful.
Whether in harsh weather conditions or rough terrains, this winch helps you pull any vehicle out of the pit that the driver got stuck in.
Its extreme weather tolerance also helps this product to be reliable on wet terrains. The robust cable rope, high power motor, and the strong build are made for emergencies in all kinds of settings. It is ideal to have one of these winches attached to your vehicle's bumper, so you are never stuck in a situation for long.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying the Badland ZXR 12000 Lb Winch?
You should keep in mind the following points before buying this product.
Power Source
Electrical winches such as this one derive their power from the vehicle's battery and function according to the battery's power. To achieve the maximum amount of power, you need to make sure that the battery can keep up.
The battery may be drained if you use the winch while the engine is not running. The device will work as long the battery is supplying electricity even when the engine is off.
We strongly recommend having a separate auxiliary battery to prevent your vehicle's battery from draining out or being compromised. This powers the winch only and is rechargeable.
Heats up
It can heat up after excessive use. This occurs due to the wired solenoid that gradually heats as the current flows through it.
To overcome this difficulty, manufacturers have added a series-built motor that does not heat up as fast as the typical solenoid. But still, precautions should be taken. We recommend giving the device some rest in between and letting it cool off.
Safety Precautions
The device alone cannot ensure safety for you and the vehicle. Instead, it would be best if you kept a few things in mind.
There are two things you should always remember when using a winch for self-recovery or other uses; never anchor with a dead tree and always wear protective gloves. A dead tree is not capable of withstanding that much weight and has weaker roots.
The gloves make the wiring process safe and prevent electric shocks. Also, they protect your hands from scratches and injuries.
How to Install a Badland ZXR 12000 Lb. Winch
Installing the Badland ZXR is an easy task and involves the following simple steps:
- First of all, check the winch for any breakage or uncovered wires. This step is necessary to ensure your safety while using the unit. Any uncovered wires may be the cause of a short circuit.
- Next, mount the unit at the bumper of your vehicle.
- To mount it, place it on the platform, and line up all the platform's spaces and the winch base for the bolts.
- Then screw up the bolts at these spaces and tighten them first with your hand to fit into place. Later tighten them with the help of a drill.
- Lastly, connect the device's wires to the respective terminals of the battery, as shown in the manual.
If you’re unclear about any of these steps, be sure to refer to the video below for a full ovvi
How to Wire a Badland ZXR 12000 Lb Winch
Now that you’ve installed your winch, the next step is to wire it. Here’s how you can do that:
- Check for any blunt wires or uncovered pieces of wire before connecting the winch to a battery.
- There are two black wires and two red wires that come out of the winch.
- After placing the unit at the vehicle's platform, stand on the backside of the winch facing the wire outlets.
- There are two red wires that come out from the central ports. The red wire on the left goes directly to the battery, while the one on the right makes its way to the motor's red color-coded terminal.
- The two black wires are on the far right and far left of the red wires.
- Far-right black wire needs to be connected to the yellow terminal on the motor that is on the front side of the winch.
- The far-left black wire is connected to the only remaining terminal at the top-backside of the motor.
That’s all there is to it. If any of the steps are unclear or if you need any visual help, check out the following video:
Conclusion
The discussion above leads to the point that the Badland ZXR 12000 Lbs is a product manufactured to offer great durability and strength to the user. It offers safer off-roading, fun, and endurance in the toughest conditions. It is affordable yet features extreme power and efficient, advanced design.
People Also Ask
If you are buying a winch for the first time, there will be several queries in your mind. In this section, we have answered some important questions that might help you understand the product better.
Is the Badland ZXR 12000 Lb Winch Worth it?
It is highly durable and reliable. The 6HP motor offers more than enough power for your off-roading safety needs, and the weather-resistant design makes it a highly competitive product on the market. Overall, its features and build quality make it worth it for people who have heavy-duty trailers, RVs, and other such vehicles.
Who Makes Badland Winches?
These winches are made in China under high-quality assurance and strict control from where they are shipped worldwide. They are designed and branded by Harbor Freight as Badland ZXR winches.
Is a Badland ZXR 12000 Lb Winch Hard to Use?
It is easy to install this device. It has a user-friendly design that makes its installation quite easy and smooth. However, using it to self-recover your vehicle or someone else's might require some practice and care.
How Much Cable Comes With the Badland 12000 Lb Winch?
The company offers a 65-feet long cable with this product.
Are Badland Winches Waterproof?
Yes, these units are waterproof. The ZXR 12000 Lb winch is IP66-rated waterproof.
On What Vehicles Types Can You Mount a Badland 12000 Lb Winch?
These winches weigh around 90 pounds. Heavy vehicles such as trucks can easily handle this much weight. Apart from trucks, these can also be fixed on trailers and some heavy-duty RVs.
