With the right tools and lifting gear I was able to install this winch myself with the Warn Hidden Holder over the weekend. I could probably do it in a day if I had an extra pair of hands. I pre-tensioned (i.e. stretched) the wire rope prior to first use, and during that effort I got my first taste of just how fast the rope speed of this winch was. I am very impressed. The design of the winch appears to be bulletproof. Fit and finish are fantastic. And this is Warn, known for its durability and reliability. I was about to buy Warn as the cost is much higher than the competition. To see first hand what I currently own compared to the lower quality winches my buddies have. I am happy with this purchase and feel that I have years of reliable service ahead of me. *****EDIT***** Seven years after the original review I'm a little embarrassed and editing to let you know this winch is still working. To date he has pulled a sunken Kawasaki mule (not mine!) out of the lake, my own truck out of a mud pit that turned out to be deeper than I expected, a friend's truck out of a ditch and poles out over 50 docks the lake to prepare for the construction of a new dock. Pylons deserve special attention. They were pulled after a couple of weekends (all day, every day, due to the set up/prep time for each pull) and these were some of the most difficult pulls as the pylons were flooded with water and the treated wood sank into the muddy ground 3 + . foot deep. These pulls were made perpendicular to driving the pylons in, wrapping a tow strap around each point where it made contact with the layer of clay. The truck was meanwhile secured to a massive tree with a rear receiver and another tow strap to prevent it from being pulled into the water. This winch is a champion!
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