Do you love going out on rides and having fun in the mud?
Are you here because you admit it ultimately leads to getting stuck in places?
There is no shame in adding a little help device to your vehicle in the form of a winch that permanently stays attached to your vehicle. Whether it’s driving around in the mud or snowplowing, KFI has got your back for those critical situations you can’t pull yourself out.
Why Are KFI Products Listed As One Of The Best?
How And When Did KFI Arise?
Kappers Fabricating Inc. Products have been in the business, a family-owned business, since 1986. In 2002 they started designing their own products, starting with their first ATV winch mount. They come a long way since what started with mount, ended in a variety of products and a successful worldwide known and searched brand.
Their Own Manufacturing Facilities
Most of KFI products, after thorough design, are made in their very own 40,000 sq. ft. Manufacturing Facility or in their 18,000 sq. ft Powder Coating Facility located in Spring Valley, MN. They constantly work on possible partnerships with other manufacturers to spread the word to the world.
KFI Offers More Than Just Winches
Even though we are here to talk about winches, KFI has so much more to offer to you. You’ll find any accessory you’d possibly need for your vehicle, bumpers supporting various brands, hitches, mounts, snowplows and even a humble offer in apparel; a KFI shirt and koozies to keep your drinks cold!
Different Services And International Expansion
Kappers Fabricating Inc. doesn’t stop at products only but has many different services for you as well. As a matter of fact, they specialize in Custom Precision Fabricating Services including Powder Coating, Laser Cutting, Welding, various Design & Engineering Services on customer request and much more.
About Warranty KFI Backs You Up With
KFI offers several warranty types depending on the product you’ve purchased. In most cases for winches that’s either a 1 Year or a 2 Year Limited Warranty. Of course, for a warranty to be valid, there are certain terms and conditions under which the product must be in to make sure no misusage occurred and that the defect is on the manufacturer’s back.
Best 5 KFI ATV Winches Reviews
KFI SE45 ATV Stealth Winch Kit – 4500 lb. Capacity
KFI 4500 Stealth Winch Specifications
Firstly, I’d like to introduce you to the KFI Stealth Winch series, starting with the SE45. It runs on a permanent magnet 1.7 HP 12 Volt DC motor with a line pull of up to 4500 lbs. Gears are all-metal planetary with a 166:1 ratio and it includes both dynamic, drum and mechanical brake systems. It is controlled by a corded remote control or a dash-mounted control switch and it features free-spooling around the drum (2’’ x 3.19’’). KFI stealth 4500 weighs about 44 pounds with the whole kit and it is backed by a Limited 1 Year warranty.
Parts That Come With KFI 4500 Lb Winch
This machine comes with a synthetic cord smoke-colored 38 ft cable with a protective sheath. The remote you can control it with is corded with 14’ and offers reliable control; along with a socket plug and play wiring a system for safe storage. Other than the remote, it is also controlled with the included UTV Dash Rocker Switch which installs easily and can be used with just a fingertip touch since your hands might be full at the moment. The Heavy Duty Electric Contactor protects your ATV’s electrical system.
Possible Drawbacks To Keep In Mind
The recorded durability of KFI 4500 winch is not exactly long, but this could easily be due to overuse or misuse of the winch. The wires are quite long and it all appears a little flimsy if you can’t find your way around. You should always keep at least 3m of the rope on the spool since it seems to start releasing the tensions and spooling out uncontrollably when you get too close to the end.
- Heavy-duty
- Easy instructions
- User-friendly control
- KFI winch stopper included
- Resistant to elements
- Overheats easily
- Specific mount necessary
- Can’t run the spool to the end
- No circuit breaker included
KFI SE35 ATV Stealth Winch Kit – 3500 lb. Capacity
About KFI SE35 In General
The next model I want you to get accustomed to is another stealth winch. With a pulling capacity of 3500 pounds, it is practically designed for getting you out of the mud, quite literally. It runs on a 12 Volt DC 1.5HP permanent magnet motor connected to an all-metal planetary gear system with a ration 171:1. Releasing the clutch allows the rope to free spool away from a drum sized 1.5’’ x 3.15’’. KFI Stealth 3500 offers both dynamical and mechanic brake systems and it includes a Limited 1 Year warranty.
KFI 3500 Stealth Winch Parts And Controls
This KFI ATV winch allows two types of operation; via a corded remote and a Deluxe Handlebar control switch. The heavy-duty corded remote switch features a 14ft long cable for cases when you need to control your winch from a distance. The Deluxe Handlebar, aka the Mini-Rocker Switch, comes with an adjustable bracket mountable to your ATV’s handlebars. KFI 3500 winch also includes a 5000 ft synthetic cable, a heavy-duty electric contactor for system protection and a split cable hook stopper.
Disadvantages To The KFI 3500 Stealth Winch
What most people seem to leave out is that these stealth winches really are water-resistant, but not completely waterproof. As long as you don’t go driving around in the water, you’ll be fine. If cruising in the shallows is your hobby after all, then this winch is maybe not created for your needs. The water will lurk its way inside the winch which will become unusable. SE35 arrives with a fairlead mount, but you’ll have to obtain a vehicle-specific one for yourself.
- Heavy-duty
- Easy instructions
- User-friendly control
- KFI winch stopper included
- Resistant to elements
- Overheats easily
- Water might slip in
- Roller fairlead incompatibility with rope
- Specific mount necessary
- No circuit breaker included
KFI SE25 ATV Winch 2500 Lbs
KFI Stealth 2500 Winch Specifications
The last (but not the least) model from the Stealth series I’d like you to take a look at is the SE25 piece – running on a 12 Volt DC 1.2HP permanent magnet motor that is able to handle loads of up to 2500 lbs. Gears are made of solely metal and planetary with a 171:1 gear ration and braking systems included are dynamic and mechanical. The whole kit is only about 23 pounds heavy and it extends to 12.67’’ x 4.06’ x 4.2’’(L x D x H).
KFI 2500 Winch Operation And Parts
Our last Stealth model comes with a 50ft long synthetic cable with a protective sheath and end loop. The electric contractor is here to protect your vehicle’s electrical systems and is in charge of power distribution of your winch and the KFI split cable hook stopper serves as a tension keeper to prevent the cable from coming loose, eliminates hook clatter from going down the trailer and protects the motor and gears so they don’t overpull the cable. It is operated by Mini-Rocker Switch that you mount on your vehicle’s handlebars and control by just your fingertip while being busing steering the wheel.
Conclusion On The KFI SE25 Winch
It includes anything you’d possibly need for a winch install except for the specific amount you’ll most likely find necessary. SE25 does not come with remote control included and is a rather loud winch, but it does come with extra fairlead rollers. Overall, when installed properly, this beast does the job of extracting your ATVs or plowing around in the snow. Additionally, hope you prefer the wires since there is no way you’ll be getting your hands on a KFI wireless winch remote – there is no such to reach at the time.
- Solid
- Detailed instructions
- Compact Control Panel
- KFI winch stopper included
- Resistant to elements
- Noisy
- Water might slip in
- No remote control
- ATV model specific mount needed
- No circuit breaker included
KFI Products AS-50 5000lb Assault Winch
KFI Assault 5000 Basic Information And Specifics
Another KFI winch that’s worth taking a look at is the AS-50 from the Assault series. Its 12 Volt DC permanent magnet motor can pull up to 5000 pounds with 1.22 HP and it is connected to a full metal planetary gear system with a ration of 180:1. The complete package weighs only 26 pounds and it is 13.9’’ x 4.45’’ x 4.76’’ (L x D x H) big. The winch features dynamic and mechanical brake systems, a standard 4-hole mounting plate and a heavy-duty metal clutch.
KFI 5000 Winch Parts And Handling
The Assault mode is operable both by a Handheld 14’ corded remote (for when it’s really necessary) and a UTV Dash Rocker Switch. The Dash Rocker is very simple to install and includes a blue led light to light up your dash when the day falls. It allows you the easy operation of the winch while having your hands full. The cable is a 38 ft synthetic cord that wraps around the free spooling clutch. It also contains the cable hook stopper and an electric contactor for additional measures.
Summary Of AS-50 KFI Assault Winch
As long as you’ve done the base properly, the entire recreational operation of this winch should run smoothly. It is back up by a Two Year Limited Lifetime Warranty so you’ll want to make sure that you’ve been maintaining the winch properly in case something happens. It comes with anything except for the specific mount you will be needing for your ATV.
- Strong
- Quiet
- Easy installation
- KFI winch stopper included
- Resistant to elements
- No circuit breaker included
- Motor sensitive in touch with water
KFI ATV and UTV Series Winches
To briefly cover the two most popular winches from this series as well; KFI 2000 lb winch and KFI 3000 are the frontrunners in their league. They both run on a 12 Volt DC motor laced to a 171:1 gear ration planetary gear system. Other than the obvious; horsepower, cable and drum size, dimensions etc there is no massive difference between these two. It mostly just depends on how heavy your load is, and whether you think remote controlling will be necessary since 2000 doesn’t come with it and KFI 3000 winch does – however, they both include Mini Rocker control switch.
KFI Products Tiger Tail Tow System
Tiger Tail Tow System Specifications
The last product I’m going to present to you in this article is this KFI Tiger Tail – not a KFI winch, but a tow system. Since we’re on the topic, a tow system may be just as necessary to keep on your ATV as a winch is. It weighs only 9 lbs and the rope length is 12 feet with wear-resistant coating. The average rope break strength is 12,000 lbs and the tow rope is backed by a 6 Month Limited Warranty.
Features And Materials Of A Tiger Tail Tow System
This system fully integrates with your vehicle so you can never leave it behind. It is shot blasted and powder coated Black for extreme durability, its mechanism is fully sealed and lubricated, tested to over 14,000 cycles and it is entirely constructed of 3/16in. Grade 50 steel. The rugged design made for the toughest weather conditions ensures there are no parts to burn up.
To Conclude The Tiger Tail Story
All in all, this self-retracting lifeline works just as described and there seem to be no regrets upon purchases of the system. It can be mounted in multiple combinations, it mounts very easily and it is even easier to operate. The tension is constantly kept, no weird and messy rope ties and tangles and it will fit anything with a 2-inch receiver. It’s not exactly a low-cost piece but at least you are sure you’re not throwing your money away with this.
- Strong
- Large capacity
- Compact
- Easy to install & use
- Elements resistant
- High-end, pricy
Custom Mounting Plates For KFI Winches
As it’s been mentioned several times – you have to count on having to adapt your machine to the winch you’ll be getting. I decided to break down some of the most popular mounts here so you can have an easier start. The most searched mounts for Polaris models are the KFI 100430, 100440, 100740, 101330, 101354, 101560 and 101740. More popular brands that KFI Winches are used on are Honda (KFI 101175, 101215) and Razor (KFI 101220, 101350). All KFI winch mounts are constructed of 3/16 inch steel.
KFI Winches Replacement Parts And Accessories
Kappers Fabricating Inc. has parts to offer for every of their series. You’ll find everything; the motor, fairleads, cable, control panels, contactor etc you might need in case something goes up in flames. Just in case you can’t find a certain piece you’d like to replace – head over to my post on universal winch replacement parts and you could find what you need.
KFI Winches Instructions & Manual
Most problems people have had with KFI winches began with incorrect installation – make sure you’re not one of those that had it burn up because they missed a spot, be thorough! I also recommend some extra maintenance gear for extra protection, KFI plow strap to begin with. It reduces wear, protects the winch and maximizes its pulling capacity. You’ll find the online KFI winch manual for every model on the KFI Products site.
Conclusion: Which KFI Product Was Fabricated For You?
All in all, after going over these products, I’m inclined to suggest you go for the KFI 4500 winch. You can’t call it affordable but if used properly, all KFI winches most definitely match up to the price. It has two different ways of rather simple and easy operation and handles seriously heavy loads.
If you don’t think you’ve found the right one, then give this article about the best electric winches to get a shot or maybe consider hydraulic winches as another option and start with top hydraulic winches on the market at the moment. To be completely sure you haven’t missed a spot on the best you can get right now, give this post on highest rated winches a shot.