Badland ZXR 12000 lb Winch Review – Is it Worth it?

The Badland ZXR 12000 Winch is sold by Harbor Freight Tools Co. which is a retail company supplying a wide range of tools and equipment at the lowest possible price to the customer.

It several stores spread across the country, it also delivers products through mail order as well as through eCommerce websites.

This Off-Road Vehicle Electric Winch is a powerful tool that helps in recovering a stuck vehicle as well as loading a boat and hauling heavy materials or objects such as timber.

This durable product is designed for rugged work in the most difficult of conditions.

Key Specifications of Badland ZXR 12000 Winch

The Badland ZXR 12000 Electric Winch has a series-wound motor that boasts of an impressive horsepower of 6 HP.

It is designed to allow for quick, smooth pulling of the cable to make the task at hand as easy as possible and also ensures that it stays cool even during long hours of operations working in rugged conditions.

The 3-stage planetary gear system of this winch allows for fast line speed. Thus, recovery or lifting of heavyweights can be done quickly and without hassle.

This tool has a gear ratio of 265:1.

This power tool promises maximum possible safety while operating with the help of its automatic load-holding brake.

This makes it ideal for heavy-duty work as it is designed for the more rugged work conditions while also ensuring durability and stable performance.

The free spooling feature allows for a fast line-out, making the process of recovery or hauling quicker and less tiring, maximizing user comfort and minimizing effort and time.

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Roller fairlead with nylon bushings ensures that smoother line-out without entangling and in the right direction, increasing the efficiency of the winch.

Further, the cable tensioner helps in avoiding tangling of the 65-foot, Aircraft-grade steel cable.

This tool has been specially constructed for off-road vehicles. It has an IP rating 66 and is resistant to powerful water jets. It also protects from overloading with the help of an in line circuit breaker.

For a closer look at the Badland ZXR 12000 Winch, check out this unboxing video here:

Here’s a quick overview of all the specifications of the Badland ZXR 12000 Winch that you should keep in mind before buying – 

Ease of Installation – Badland ZXR 12000 Winch

To begin winching, the tool is first mounted onto the vehicle at the desired location by aligning the winch perpendicular to its centerline before drilling holes and tightening the fasteners to the listed torque values.

Then, the brackets and mounting screws are used to mount and secure the solenoid box to the tie bars of the winch.

Once this is done, the cable is routed from the Solenoid to the battery as well as to the winch while making sure it does not come in the way of any moving parts of the vehicle.

Ensure that the wire is tightly coiled beforehand so that when you uncoil it for use, it can support the load and does not lead to any damage to itself or anything else. The winch is now ready for use.

To better understand the installation process of this product as well as get a glimpse of it in action, watch this video here:

Ease of Usage – Badland ZXR 12000 Winch

Before starting operation, the Clutch Control is first set to Release and then the wire rope is pulled out by sliding the loop of the Hook Strap over the hook and then pulling it.

This is then securely hooked onto the object that has to be pulled.

The Clutch Control is set to the Engaged position and the On/Off switch is pressed for 3 seconds to turn it on. This control is used to retract the rope, pulling the object with this action.

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Warranty/Repairs

Harbor Freight offers a 90-day warranty for this product that begins from the date of purchase. It can only be availed by the original purchaser of the product and in case of any defects in the material or workmanship of the tool.

If any damage is inflicted upon the tool due to misuse, accident, abuse, negligence, repair or alteration by the purchaser, the company is no longer liable for the product and the warranty cannot be availed.

Further, Harbor Freight is not responsible for any incidental or consequential and fatal or non-fatal injuries to any person or any damage to property resulting from the use of this product.

To return or exchange your product, you can call the customer service of Harbor Freight at the toll-free number, 1-800-444-3353, Monday through Sunday, 6am to 6pm (PT). You can also email your inquiry at [email protected]

Customer Review Analysis

Most people who have bought the Badland ZXR 12000 Winch swear by its durability and powerful performance. They report having used this tool to pull out not just cars but even large trucks and jeeps from mud pits.

While many have complained about the motor overheating and the battery draining quickly when the product is operated for too long, there are customers who have found a hack to prevent this from happening.

They recommend using snatch blocks to ensure the winch works as efficiently over long hours of use as it does over shorter periods.

The Badland ZXR Winch’s warranty period is felt to be too short by several buyers who have experienced the winch stop working a short while after some heavy-duty job.

Replacing parts can, thus, prove difficult and expensive after the 90-day warranty period provided by Harbor Freight.

Overall, however, customer satisfaction for this product rates good as the impressive performance of this winch has proven to be worth its price.

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Pros/Cons of Badland ZXR 12000 Winch

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Pricing

Badland ZXR 12000 lb. IP 66 Weather Resistant Off-Road Vehicle Electric Winch with Automatic Load-Holding Brake

• Ip66 Weather Rsistant rating.
• Series-wound motor stays cooler during long pulls
• Aircraft grade wire rope

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Recommended Accessories with Badland ZXR 12000 Winch

Hex Drill Socket Driver

For the installation process, you might need several different kinds of tools in your toolbox. Among these is the Hex Drill Socket Driver which is also sold by Harbor Freight.

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Winch Cover

To protect your winch from dirt, rain, debris, and so on, you can cover it with a special winch cover such as this one recommended by Amazon:

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Replacement Winch rope

You can also buy a replacement winch rope at Amazon here:

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Our Recommendation

The Badland ZXR 12000 Winch is well-suited for the more heavy-duty tasks and delivers an excellent level of power at a decent price.

Although there are reported issues regarding the overheating of the motor, this tool’s performance is still quite commendable.

The impressive length of the cable and features designed for quick and smooth line-out make it possible for the user to recover vehicles or lift loads with ease and convenience.

For its price, this winch is a great and reliable product for some rugged work on the road, maintaining a level of durability that appeals to the frequent user.

★★★★

Badland ZXR 12000 Winch

PROS:

• Designed for heavy duty work
• Installation is easy and hassle-free
• Has the capacity to support load of up to 12,000 lbs

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FAQs

Last update on 2022-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API