We all want the right tools for the job. In the case of off-road recovery, there are several tools that can be employed, but a winch is definitely on top.

We recently received a new winch from Mean Mother – the Edge Series winch. Rated for 9,500 pounds, it’s a middleweight contender, and a perfect choice for its intended application – a Jeep Wrangler JK.

Part of what makes a winch worthy or unworthy is its motor. It will be doing most of the heavy lifting when it comes to moving a 6,000-pound Jeep through mud or off of a rock. In the case of our Edge Series, the motor is indeed powerful, with almost five output horsepower, a three-stage planetary gearbox, and a 212:1 gear ratio. What’s more, the solenoid for the motor is protected against the elements. This is thanks to a waterproof design and tin-coated copper power cables with PVC insulation and fiberglass sheathing.

The other half of the equation – the winch cable – is no slouch either. The cable measures 100 feet long, and is made up of Dyneema SK75 synthetic fiber. It’s tough enough to deal with the average SUV or truck, and long enough to work with in just about any recovery.

Also included in the kit are a hawse fairlead and 3/8-inch clevis hook. Both are standard add-ons to complete the whole package, and provide the user the means to retract the winch cable and hook onto a recovery point.

We’re looking forward to seeing how this winch does in the wild. In the meantime, feel free to check out the Mean Mother website and Facebook page.