X-BULL Electric Winch 12V 4500LBS Synthetic Rope Wireless remote ATV UTV Boat Trailer

Fitting a winch to a quad comes down to two numbers: how much room sits behind the bar, and how much weight the front end can carry. At 338 mm long and under 12 kg, this 4,500 lb X-BULL goes where a full-size unit will not. The bolt pattern is 76.2 x 124 mm, so measure your mount first.

Rated to go under water, not just through a puddle

IP68 is a tighter sealing figure than the IP66 X-BULL quotes on its 5,000 lb models. The rating covers the winch and controls against immersion to three feet (about 0.9 m), with the remote switch excluded. That matters less for the occasional river crossing than for the mud and water that sit in a quad's front end for days afterwards. Sealing is what keeps the solenoid pack dry while it switches the current a 1.9 hp permanent-magnet motor draws under load, and current draw peaks the instant a stuck load first breaks free.

Controlling the pull from a safe distance

Two wired controls are specified: a 3.7 m pendant and a 2.4 m handlebar switch. Between them you can either stand back from the winch and off to one side of the line, or work from the saddle where the front wheels are visible. One caution worth flagging. X-BULL's specification sheet for this model lists wired controls only, even though the product title mentions a wireless remote. If the wireless unit is the reason you are buying, confirm with us before ordering rather than assuming it is in the carton.

Key features

• IP68 sealing: winch and controls rated for immersion to three feet (0.9 m), remote switch excluded.
• 1.9 hp permanent-magnet motor: geared down through three planetary stages so the drum turns slowly and hard.
• Power in and power out: the drum drives under power in both directions, so the line can be paid out under control rather than free-spooled.
• Automatic mechanical brake: load holding is mechanical, so the drum locks when the switch is released.
• Cam-activated free spool: lever disengagement for walking the line to an anchor.
• Compact dimensions: 338 x 108 x 114 mm overall on a 50 x 74 mm drum.

Specifications

• Rated single-line pull: 4,500 lb (2,041 kg). X-BULL's rated pull figure; the drum layer it applies to is not stated.
• Line: 5.5 mm x 15.2 m. The product title calls this synthetic rope while X-BULL's specification block calls it wire rope. Worth verifying the line material before you commit.
• Motor: 12 V DC, 1.9 hp permanent magnet
• Gear train: three-stage planetary
• Free spool: cam activated
• Power in and power out: yes
• Brake: automatic mechanical load holding
• Drum (diameter x length): 50 x 74 mm
• Battery: 12 V DC, 12 Ah minimum
• Duty cycle: 5 per cent (45 seconds at maximum rated load, then 14 minutes 15 seconds rest)
• Remote control: wired, 3.7 m
• Handlebar controller: wired, 2.4 m
• Battery cables: 6 gauge, 1.83 m
• Solenoid cables: 6 gauge, 0.92 m
• Hook: 1/4 in clevis with spring-loaded safety latch
• Mounting pattern: 76.2 x 124 mm
• Dimensions (L x D x H): 338 x 108 x 114 mm
• IP rating: IP68, winch and controls, remote switch excluded
• Sound rating: 85 dB
• Weight: X-BULL's sheet gives two conflicting figures for this model, 11.3 kg and 9.8 kg. Plan around the heavier one.
• Certification, as stated by the supplier: CE
• Application, as stated by the supplier: ATV, UTV

Check these before you pull

• Examine the line end to end before every use and take it out of service the moment it is cut, crushed or kinked.
• A dampener goes over the loaded line, every time, without exception.
• Clear people away from the line and from anywhere it could reach if it broke free, and keep them clear until the load is off.
• Recoveries come off rated recovery points only. A tow ball, tow bar tongue, bumper or unrated bracket must never be used as an anchor.
• Do not join two straps with a shackle.
• Supplier packaging contents are not itemised for this model, so check what arrives against the specification above before you fit it.

Suited to ATV and UTV work rather than full-size vehicle recovery. Confirm your mount pattern and the control type you need before you order.