TJM Torq Winch 9500: 12-volt winch test

WHEN we saw the TJM Torq’s low motor horsepower rating of 4.9, we doubted its ability, but we were left eating humble pie after watching it haul the sled all the way home without much fuss.

The TJM winch proves that bigger isn’t necessarily better, and you must take into account all facets of a winch to get a rough idea of how good it may be. The speed of the Torq Winch is made possible via the second fastest gearing ratio of 150:1, which saw it pull second in overall speeds as well as requiring the second lowest number of pulls (five).

Now for the trade-offs: the TJM winch drew quite high currents – the second and third highest on test, with very high motor temperatures of more than 100 degrees on the fourth and fifth pull. The gearbox temps stayed impressively low, though. Notably, the motor end-cover features aluminium fluting to help dissipate that heat, whereas the gearbox end doesn’t.

The Torq Winch is impressively optioned with all the standard inclusions: a wireless hand-held remote control and separate wireless receiver; a rubber stopper to prevent the hook being wound into and damaging the aluminium fair lead; a manual isolation switch; excellent sheath protection for both ends of rope, which doubles as the warning limit at the drum end; and a red stripe part way along the sheath to ensure you don’t unfurl too much rope.

All electrical cables feature unique FRP sheath protection to help prevent scuffing or abrasion on sharp edges. While the colour of the rope neither helps nor hinders the workings of the winch, its bright yellow colour can be easily seen and drastically improves safety.

The thimble, as per most others on test, deformed under load around the clevis pin in the hook. The hand remote is easy to use, as is the wireless version. There is a screw-in connection for the wired remote, instead of the usual push-in, giving it a positive engagement. The end of the cable of the remote even has a screw-on cover for when not in use, to prevent dirt ingress.

The Torq Winch was one of the easiest on test to free spool – not that we tested resistance, but it made pulling out the rope with no load fast and effortless.

Despite doing nothing for the actual workings of the winch, the mounting feet feature captive nuts to help during installation; all other winches rely on balancing the separate nuts in slots within the feet.

Often, while positioning the winch in a cradle or a bullbar, the nuts fall out unless you’ve taped them in somehow. I’m sure fitters all over Australia are happy with this minor inclusion.

INCLUDED
Wired hand remote; alloy hawse fairlead; open hook with spring-loaded safety catch and removable clevis pin; safety strap; wireless hand remote control and wireless receiver; rubber stopper; manual isolation switch; sheath protection for both ends of rope; FRP sheath protection on electrical cables.