Bulldog Winch Alpha Series Off-Road Winch - Wire Rope - Roller Fairlead - 15,000 lbs

Bulldog Winch Electric Winch - BDW10047

Heavy-duty winch with 6.8-hp, series-wound motor lets you quickly and safely recover a stuck vehicle. Premium winch offers top line speeds, extra-thick side frames, and an extended duty cycle. Thermal limiter with LED indicator prevents overheating.

Features:

• Premium recovery winch lets you pull your stuck vehicle out of mud, snow, water or a ditch and up steep inclines
  • Perfect for work trucks, Jeeps, and other off-road vehicles
  • Designed for vehicles with a maximum GVW of 10,000 lbs
• 6.8-hp, Series-wound motor delivers powerful, fast, and safe line pulling
  • Motor is more powerful, more efficient, and produces more torque than a permanent magnet motor
  • Vent lets vapor escape to prevent moisture buildup
  • Finned heat sink allows heat to quickly dissipate to keep motor cool
• Thermal limiting switch automatically cuts power to the motor to prevent it from overheating
  • Green LED feedback light indicates when the motor can safely be restarted
• Sealed, 500-amp contactor transmits power from the vehicle's battery to the winch motor
  • Water- and weather-resistant to IP67 specifications
  • Battery leads have heat- and abrasion-resistant sheathing
• Power unit includes contactor, plastic housing, thermal limiting switch, and on/off switch
  • Wiring kit (BDW20132 - sold separately) lets you remotely mount the power unit
• Automatic, mechanical brake holds 100 percent of the load while minimizing winch creep
• All-steel, 3-stage planetary gear train
  • Provides increased drum speed when compared with worm drives and 1- or 2-stage planetary gear trains
• Rubber, hand-held remote with 12' lead lets you operate winch from a safe distance
  • Weather-resistant switch powers the load in and out
  • Wireless remote control (BDW20156 - sold separately) available
• Free-spooling clutch ensures fast rope payout and reduces wear on the motor
  • Gearbox can be rotated 360 degrees so you can reach the clutch handle no matter where you mount the winch
• 3/8" Diameter zinc-plated wire rope is strong and abrasion resistant
  • 85' Long, aircraft-grade galvanized steel cable
  • 3/8" Steel clevis hook and nylon hand-saver strap included
• Steel roller fairlead with thick frame
  • 4 Rollers reduce friction and wear on the rope
  • Silver-zinc-plated finish resists corrosion
• Durable, black powder coated steel body and motor resist corrosion
  • Galvanized motor tube resists internal corrosion
• Tie-bars and extra-thick side frames help to create a strong and rigid winch body

Specs:

• Rated line pull (with a single layer of wire rope around the drum): 15,000 lbs (static load)
  • Vehicle recovery capacity: 10,000 lbs
• Motor: 12-volt DC
  • Line pull at 0 lbs:
    • Power draw: 70 amps
    • Line speed: 20 FPM
  • Line pull at 15,000 lbs:
    • Power draw: 420 amps
    • Line speed: 4 FPM
• Gear ratio: 262:1
• Duty cycle: 3 minutes on/15 minutes off
• Braking: 100-percent load-holding mechanical
• Battery lead wire: 2 gauge
• Battery lead length: 6'
• Rope dimensions: 85' long x 3/8" (11 mm) diameter
• Winch dimensions: 23" long x 6-11/16" wide x 9-13/16" tall
• Drum dimensions: 2-1/2" diameter x 9" long
• 4-Bolt mounting pattern: 10" x 4-1/2"
• Distance between roller fairlead mounting holes (center to center): 10"
• Winch weight (with wire rope installed): 97 lbs
• Recommended battery size (for maximum power): 650 CCA
• Warranty:
  • Limited lifetime on mechanical parts
  • 3-Year on electrical parts

The Alpha Series recovery winch has all the features of a Bulldog Winch Standard Series winch - a wire rope, roller fairlead, hand-held remote, and sealed contactor - with some serious upgrades. The Alpha motor offers more horsepower, a faster line-pull speed, and a longer duty cycle. It's also connected to a thermal limiter that prevents it from overheating. The power unit has an integrated on/off switch, the contactor has a higher amp rating, and the installation wires have a fiberglass sheathing for added safety. The free-spool clutch is also easier to shift, and the winch frame is built of thicker steel than the Standard Series winches.

Heavy-Duty, 6.8-Horsepower Alpha Motor

The Alpha features a 6.8-horsepower, 12-volt DC motor with 15,000 lbs of line pull. This heavy-duty, series-wound motor is more powerful and more dependable than a permanent magnet motor, and it generates more torque and dispenses heat more efficiently when operating at high speeds. A built-in vent lets vapor escape to prevent moisture buildup, and a finned heat sink allows the heat to quickly dissipate to keep the motor cool. The motor is constructed of durable, corrosion-resistant materials including the powder coated housing, galvanized motor tube, copper battery terminals, and zinc-plated steel hardware.

Thermal Limiting Switch

There is a thermal limiting switch inside the power unit that prevents the unit from overheating. The green LED light on the top of the power unit indicates that the winch is functioning. This light will shut off and power to the motor will be cut when the temperature exceeds 158 degrees. The light comes back on and the thermal limiter automatically reconnects the power once the motor has cooled down enough to resume operation.

Power Unit with Sealed Contactor

The contactor - or solenoid - transmits power from the vehicle's battery to the winch motor. The 500-amp contactor - located inside the power unit - is sealed to meet IP67 specifications for water and weather resistance. The copper terminals and zinc-plated hardware are corrosion resistant. The battery leads have heat- and abrasion-resistant sheathing and are labeled with flags for easy installation.

The on/off switch on the back of the power unit lets you shut off the power when you aren't using the winch. There is also a rubber-sealed plug on top of the power unit that houses the attachment port for the remote control. For convenience - or to free up space in a tight fit - you can also mount the power unit remotely with a special wiring kit (BDW20132 - sold separately).

Free-Spooling Clutch with Rotating Handle

The free-spool clutch enables you to pull out the rope by hand. This saves battery power, prevents the brake from wearing down prematurely, reduces wear on the motor, and is much faster than waiting for the drum to unroll the rope. To release the clutch for free-spooling simply rotate the handle to the position indicated by the stick figure icon on the label. To reengage the clutch, rotate the handle back to the position indicated by the vehicle icon on the label.

The clutch is driven by a 3-stage planetary gear train. This provides more speed than traditional worm gear drives or 1- or 2-stage planetary gear trains. It includes a ring gear that slides over the planetary gear set to lock it in or out of gear.

The gearbox can be rotated in 30-degree increments to 12 different positions to ensure that you can easily access the clutch handle no matter where the winch is mounted. This is great for custom and in-bumper applications, on vehicles with small engines where space is extremely limited, or when mounting the winch foot-forward with the clutch handle facing the radiator.

The steel gearbox has a finned heat sink that allows heat to quickly dissipate. It's also sealed to keep out moisture, and it has a black powder coat finish for rust resistance. The chrome-plated clutch handle is stylish and weather resistant.

Automatic, Load-Holding Mechanical Brake

The mechanical brake controls the line speed and prevents unintentional payout (or creep). It activates when the winch is in gear and the rope is winding out. As the drum rotates outward, the brake expands to put pressure on the inside wall of the drum. It contracts when the drum rotates inward, releasing brake pressure. At maximum pressure the brake holds 100 percent of the load.

The friction created when the brake pads press against the drum generates heat. The steel tube drum is designed to disperse this heat across its entire surface. This prevents potentially damaging heat buildup near the motor.

And since the brake is located inside the drum, the winch has a smaller profile and will fit in locations where space is limited such as between a vehicle's bumper and radiator.

Weather-Resistant Hand-Held Remote

The hand-held remote has a 12' lead and an in/out rocker switch so you can operate your winch at a distance. The rocker switch is sealed and water resistant so it won't get damaged in wet conditions. Simply plug the durable plastic remote into the power unit when you need to use it, and disconnect it to store it away when you aren't using it.

There is a wireless remote kit (BDW21056 - sold separately) that lets you operate the winch from up to 100' away. You can also operate the winch from the comfort of your vehicle with a dash-mounted in-cab control (BDW20064 - sold separately).

Wire Rope

The wire rope is made of high-strength, aircraft-grade galvanized steel that is zinc-plated to resist abrasions and withstand harsh UV rays, chemicals, and extreme temperatures.

The rope winds around a solid steel drum. The mounting flanges are strong enough to resist bending or breaking if the rope wrap becomes uneven and excess stress is put on the drum.

A hand-saver strap is included to use in conjunction with work gloves (BDW20070 - sold separately) so that you can safely handle the rope and hook. A rock bag (BDW20048 - sold separately) is also recommended. The rock bag helps prevent a broken rope from snapping back by forcing it to the ground.

The removable clevis hook is constructed of high-strength forged alloy steel that is heavy duty and rust resistant. It has a spring-loaded safety latch for quick fastening and removal. The hook attaches to the steel thimble on the end of the synthetic rope.

Roller Fairlead

The roller fairlead has a thick steel frame with 4 steel rollers. The rollers reduce friction when you're pulling the rope in or paying it out, and they prevent the rope from becoming pinched when pulling at extreme angles. The rollers have a silver-zinc-plated finish that is tough and corrosion resistant. The fairlead installs with zinc-plated hardware.

Note: The roller fairlead does not mount directly to the winch - it typically attaches to tabs on the winch mounting plate (sold separately). Most aftermarket mounts include these tabs.

Rugged Construction

The Alpha Series winch is constructed of strong, durable materials that are able to withstand any weather condition or terrain. The vented motor and sealed gearbox are made of corrosion-resistant powder coated steel. The contactor is sealed to keep water out, and the power unit is constructed of heavy-duty yet lightweight plastic that makes it ideal for mounting in remote locations. The steel tie bars and extra-thick side frame drum supports help to create a strong and rigid winch body.

Installation

You will need a suitable mounting location to install the winch on the front of your vehicle. Winch mounts are built into many aftermarket bumpers and grille guards. Alternatively, you can install a universal front-mount plate (BDW20008 - sold separately) to create a mounting point for both your winch and fairlead.

If you are mounting the winch on your bumper or grille guard, you can use the included wiring to connect the winch to your vehicle's battery. Quick connects (BDW20133 - sold separately) are available to make removing and re-installing the winch easy. If you are mounting the winch at the back of your vehicle or on a trailer, you may need an additional 20' long wiring kit (BDW20206 - sold separately) or a 24' long wiring kit (BDW20207 - sold separately) for extended cabs and long beds.

Winch Line Pull Capacity

The line pull capacity of your winch is determined by the maximum load your winch can pull with a single layer of rope on the drum. As more layers of rope are wound onto the drum, pulling the same load requires more force, leading to a loss in winching power. With a 2nd layer of rope around the drum, your line pull capacity is reduced by approximately 14 percent. With 3 layers on the drum, the line pull capacity is reduced by approximately 23 percent, and with 4 layers on the drum it is reduced by approximately 35 percent.

Note: It is recommended that you begin any line pull with a minimum of 5 wraps and a maximum of 2 layers of rope on the drum.

Vehicle Recovery and Winch Capacity

To select the appropriate off-road/recovery winch for your application, determine your gross vehicle weight. The GVW is the stand-alone weight of your vehicle plus the weight of any items in and on the vehicle. Once you have determined the GVW of your vehicle, choose a winch with a capacity that is 1-1/2 times your GVW. Using that formula, this winch - with a 15,000-pound capacity - will work for vehicles with an approximate GVW of 10,000 pounds.

Rolling Load Winch Capacity

To calculate your winch's rolling load capacity - the amount of weight it can pull up an incline - you must multiply the line pull capacity by a factor determined by the degree of the incline.

The multiplication factors shown in the chart, right, include a 10-percent rolling friction factor.

Note: A 5-percent - or 3-degree - incline is a 1/2' rise over a 10' distance. Follow the chart to determine your winch's rolling load capacity.

Double-Line Pulling

Increase the pulling capacity of your winch by doubling up the rope with a pulley block (BDW20077 - sold separately). Secure the pulley block to a recovery strap (BDW20031 - sold separately) with a bow shackle (BDW20021 - sold separately) to provide a strong anchor for your double-line pull. Or use the Bulldog Winch 8-piece rigging kit (BDW20196 - sold separately) that includes everything you need for heavy-duty recovery. Using double-line operation will approximately double your winch's pulling capacity.

10047 Bulldog Winch Alpha Series Self-Recovery Truck Winch - Wire Rope - Roller Fairlead - 15,000 lbs