What experience do you have with smaller (under 3000lb) winches for material handling purposes? I'm looking for something that will power in and power out under load, not just power in/freespool out. From my research in the past that points to a worm drive of some kind, but it looks like the smaller winches don't usually come in that configuration. I am sure others have put a winch in service in the same environment -lifting engines, unloading truck beds, etc. What works? What holds up? What doesn't? 12vDC or 120vAC?

I have a manual brake winch I've been using. Even with a 5:1 reduction it is a pain to use. It's purpose is the power behind the lifter I have for my truck cap. For fairly infrequent use it does work, however its very difficult.

 

I have never used this, but thought of getting this for the purpose you stated..

It is just a 1000 Lb capacity

This is the AC model
Warn Industries - WARN Corded PullzAll

They have a DC model as well

Warn Industries - WARN Cordless PullzAll

 

Actually I have been debating getting something very similar for quite a while now. With my back not up to snuff anymore doing heavy lifting in the shop has become quite a challenge.

I like the WARN product, the only consideration to keep in mind (well not the only one) is mounting. The rafters in the garage may not be up to the task of lifting that much weight. Sure they can hold you stomping around up there, but how close to cracking/breaking are they when you are walking around? I don't want to guess, which is why I haven't pulled the trigger. That and I would need to be able to traverse the length of the garage. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

 

I just bought a 2500 pound winch from Harbor Freight. It was a 50 percent off sale, so it cost 60 bucks.
It also has a owered in out remote control keyfob.
I have read reviews online with many good things said about the badlands winches.
I mounted mine to the top of a receiver slide in, so that I can pull small items onto my 4x8 trailer and other useful things.
I have seen these used as lifts for attics also.

Youtube has some cool ideas for lifts.

 

i used one of the 2500 lb HF winches:2500 lb. ATV/Utility Electric Winch with Wireless Remote Control
it worked great rigged up to the gantry crane to pull an engine, and do a bed/cab swap on a truck.
as for using it in the garage, just run a 4X4 across a few joists to spread the load.

 

Ive seen the warn PullzAll series. It looks interesting. Id be curious how well it would work for the descent. All winches do a good job pulling, but going back the other way loaded is the hard part. It looks like Warn has some conventional mounted winches in their Hoist line up, so that might be a contender too. I can block the set up to increase control/precision and boost power, but a slow line speed to start with would help. The PullzAll's apparently have variable speed also. If there was a remote for it that would be awesome

 

that is the nice thing about the 2500 lb HF winch. it has a cordless remote fob that does power in and power out.
just mount the winch up high and run a set of wires to a 12 volt battery and you are good to go.
i lifted the back end of a 2000 F350 4X4 off the ground when a body bolt hung up.

 

Thanks for the info on the HF winch. However, I don't trust their products like that. For some tools, products, and devices they are OK, but not when a failure could break something, hurt someone, cost a lot of $$, or a combination of any or all of those Ill pick a better name winch for my uses.

The DC series warn hoists have a remote option.