Winch anchor and High lift style jack in one.

[Capt Eddie]

Alright. Since my wife thinks I stay on this site more then anything else I do. I have to prove her wrong and let everyone else on the site know what I have really been up to????? I have designed a tool that allows you to use your high lift style jack as a winch and anchor at the same time. It can also be used a a jack stand base in soft sand and mud. You will put this on the lift area of the jack and be able to set it in the ground like you would other types of ground anchors. This jack anchor can also be used as an anchor for use with an electric winch. So far we have tested it with a Jeep TJ. We did find the the really limitations were in the person doing the hand winching. We were still able to winch the TJ up hill with the brakes locked. We tried it with the Jeep in neutrel, but that did not seem like much of a test. I will be making the JACK ANCHOR and selling them. Pictures and Youtube to follow. Just imagine a Pullpal and High lift jack in one.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Hate to break it to you but your idea is nothing new in fact there was a pretty extensive thread about this very idea, possibly several including some that have been made. In the end I have the same concerns as I did then. Filling your jack full of mud/dirt/rocks when setting as a winch anchor. It offers minimal weight savings (find the thread for the exact amount) and you could damage the hi-lift using it outside of its design constraints. The only thing more dangerous than a Hi-Lift is a dirty or damaged one

 

[Ray Hyland]

I missed the old thread. I'd love to see this idea, go ahead and post some pics.

I love my hi-lift jack and I use it all the time. It's usually fairly dirty too. Oops.

Oh well.

Cheers

Ray

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Dug up the old threads, if nothing else they might give you some ideas.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/15064
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/5207

 

[Capt Eddie]

Those are all good ideas. The biggest difference I can see is that Their anchor is just the anchor. You do not use the jack as a winch. Theirs requires you to use a winch. With my setup you can still use the jack as a winch. I have a system that has several different uses.
1. The anchor plate can be used under the jack as a plate for soft ground.
2. The JACK ANCHOR can be used as a stand alone anchor and winch.
3. The JACK ANCHOR can be put on your jack to be used with a winch.
4. The JACK ANCHOR can be used without the jack. A main pull pole is supplied to be used with a winch.
5. The pull pole can be put on the anchor plate to be used as a shovel to dig .

I hope to think that this one system addresses several different scenarios that can be found exploring offroad.

If you only have a jack you can use it standolone. Down the road if you buy a winch you can use the main pull pole and keep the jack mounted.
All of this system can mount on the jack and still allow the jack to be mounted on your current location. It takes up less space then a PULL PAL and jack together.

And thank you for all the input.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Interesting, I'd love to see it. I'm most curious how you 'reset' your Hi-Lift winching as its going to take more than the ~4' of winching to pull up the slack and set the anchor. In loose dirt, sand, etc the winch anchor can completely bury itself before grabbing and it can take 5-10 feet to 'set' thus requiring multiply setups with a Hi-Lift or even come-a-long style winch. I'll look forward to seeing some pics.

 

[Capt Eddie]

The ability to reset is one of the things that set my JACK ANCHOR apart from everything else I have seen. One thing that does make a differance is the tools are there to predig your hole before you start winching with the jack.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The ability to reset is one of the things that set my JACK ANCHOR apart from everything else I have seen. One thing that does make a differance is the tools are there to predig your hole before you start winching with the jack.

These things bury themselves several feet or more, how far does one need to dig? Post some pics of the JACK ANCHOR already would ya

 

[Capt Eddie]

I am going to take some pictures tomorrow. Hope to post them somehow??????

 

[Eventhough]

I am going to take some pictures tomorrow. Hope to post them somehow??????

If you can't post them I'd be happy to do it for you. Email is Steve@SoutheastOverland.com.

 

[Capt Eddie]

Here are some pictures of the JACK ANCHOR in the winchable position. All parts for all the configurations fit on the anchor base and can be stored with the Jack mounted in any position. The anchor plate can also be turned lateral in line with the jack mechanism.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Any pics or better yet video of it in use in some practical applications? I'm having a hard time thinking of how it will 'set' without resetting the line and sliding the jack action back up which will be hard when its buried no?

 

[Capt Eddie]

In the ground that we have used it, the mechanism is still out of the dirt. The large face of the anchor support is the key to this working. Being able to use the anchor plate and foot as a pick to predig your hole make all the differance in the word. If you jsu set it on top of the ground and start winching it would take several resets. But being able to dig 12inches down and 24 inch back allows the anchor to set in the first attempt. I know this is not going to be EASY but you are stuck and alittle help in predigging is going to make all the differance in the world. Thank you for all input in this project.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

... I know this is not going to be EASY but you are stuck and alittle help in predigging is going to make all the differance in the world. Thank you for all input in this project.

That makes complete sense, I've not really ever tried pre-digging with my winch anchor but I'm sure I would find it makes the setting that much easier. Good luck with the project... what kind of a retail $$$ are you looking to target with your product?

 

[Capt Eddie]

A complete system is going to include the Anchor plate, Jack adapter leg, down support and brace, as well as an addition power bar. The power bar can be used on the back end of the anchor plate to assist in removing the anchor after extrication. Or it can be used instead of a jack. With this system you have many options for many different situations. With or without a winch. With or without a Jack. All together in a 24inch x 12inch x 2.5inch package. I should be able to get $300.00 I am making 12 sets right now to take to the Turkey and Deer Expo in Birmingham AL this month. I will see how it goes.