Air Winches
American-Made Winches
Pull, Lift, Position & Tension with Confidence
When you need to lift, lower, or position a heavy load, Thern provides dependable air tugger winches needed to get the job done efficiently. From construction to maritime to manufacturing and more, our air winches are built tough to meet the demands of any environment and a wide variety of applications. And with capacities that reach up to 10 tons without sacrificing speed, weight or safety, there’s no beating a Thern air winch — no matter the job.
Whether you need heavy-duty positioning or more portable power, we have an air winch to meet your needs. Contact our experts today or shop our selection below!
What Is an Air Winch?
An air winch is a pulling or lifting device powered by compressed air channeled through a pneumatic motor. A directional control valve allows the drum to rotate forward, stop, or reverse, enabling precise control and load positioning without electrical power.
How an Air Winch Works
- Compressed air supply connects to the pneumatic motor inlet
- Air pressure drives the vane or radial piston motor, rotating the drum
- Wire on drum spools in or out to lift, lower, or pull loads
- Directional control valve switches between haul-in, hold, and pay-out
Thern Air Winch Specs at a Glance
C Series
Mini Series
Big Red Legacy Series
C Series (TA5C)
The heavy-duty C Series has a capacity of up to 22,000 lbs (10 tons), is a compact design and is for use in harsh offshore and industrial environments. Key features include:
- Spring-engaged and air-released disc brake
- Zinc primer for increased corrosion protection
- Meets ASME 30.7 requirements
- Oil-bath planetary gears minimize heat and prevent contamination
- CE Package available
Mini TA Series (MTA1000 / MTA2000)
Powerful and portable, the high-speed Mini TA air winches have capacities of 1,400 lbs and 2,700 lbs, respectively. Ideal for small spaces, pipe handling and remote jobsites, the key features of these mini air tuggers include:
- Radial piston motor with 87:1 gear reduction improves operating life, efficiency, and shock protection
- Lightweight, portable design with carrying handles
- Bolted construction for easy field maintenance and customization
- Zinc plated hardware and red enamel coating for corrosion protection
Big Red Legacy Series
Reliable, heavy-duty workhorses, the Big Red Legacy series features Thern’s highest-rated air winch: the TA10 model with up to a 37,000 lbs capacity. Our most popular air winch line features:
- Radial piston motor
- Variable speed control
- Manual hand brake with up to 150% holding capacity
- MSHA-compliant drum guard available
- Customizable controls and drum widths
Where Are Air Winches Used?
Air winches are a staple across a wide range of industries. These include:
- Oil and gas — spark-resistant operation makes air winches safe for work in explosive atmospheres.
- Mining — MSHA-compliant models available for both underground and surface mining operations
- Marine — corrosion-resistant construction allows Thern air winches to be used for mooring, positioning, and deck operations
- Construction — air winches can move materials and equipment where three-phase power is not available
- Manufacturing — quality fit for precision spotting and line tensioning throughout production floors
- Water/wastewater — reliable for lifting pump assemblies in confined and wet environments
- Chemical and fertilizer facilities — safe operation in areas where flammable vapors are present
- Agriculture – Perfect for load out chutes and other applications within areas with explosive dust hazzards.
Air Winch Advantages
Pneumatic air winches offer many advantages, such as:
- They are intrinsically safe, including in Zone and Division 1 and 2 hazardous areas, because they do not have electrical components in the power path
- Heavy-duty operation without three-phase power, all with just compressed air
- Excellent precision and speed with variable speed controls
- Overload protection means the motor stalls during overload, rather than burning out
- High-duty cycles thanks to oil-cooled brakes and oil-bath gears
- Premium power-to-weight ratio delivers high torque in a smaller frame than equivalent electric units
How to Choose the Right Air Winch
When deciding on the correct air winch for your application, keep the following factors in mind:
- Required line pull capacity — Calculate the working load limit, including friction loss in other components in the rigging system
- Line speed — your motor and gear ratio choice will depend on the balance of fast retrieval and slow precision required for your application
- Confirm your air supply — most Thern air winches require between 90 – 100 psi
- Classification — choose a winch that meets your required standards
Portability considerations — consider your need (or lack thereof) for portable air positioning power - Controls — choose between manual, remote pendant, or electric-over-air proportional controls
- Wire rope length and diameter — the groove pitch and drum width of your winch need to accommodate fleet angle requirements for accurate and consistent spooling
The Thern Difference
WIth more than 75 years of experience designing and making lifting, pulling, and pulling equipment for a wide variety of applications, Thern has the solution for your pneumatic air winch needs.
Not Seeing What You're Looking for?
If you have special product needs, give us a call! Our engineering and production teams are experts at modifying existing models and designing a custom winch for your specific needs. In fact, over 40% of our business involves custom engineering, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you don’t see what you want on our site or in our catalog. We specialize in quickly turning around custom orders.
Air Winch FAQs
What is the difference between an air winch and an electric winch?
An air winch is powered by compressed air through a pneumatic motor, making it spark-resistant and suitable for explosive or hazardous environments. An electric winch requires electrical power and is better suited for consistent use where electrical infrastructure is safe and available.
How much weight can an air winch lift?
Air winch capacities vary widely by model. Thern’s Mini TA Series handles 1,400–2,700 lbs, the C Series reaches 22,000 lbs, and the largest Big Red Legacy Series winch lifts up to 37,000 lbs. Always apply the appropriate design factor (typically 5:1) when specifying a working load limit.
Are air winches safe in explosive or hazardous locations?
Yes. Because air winches use no electrical power at the motor, they produce no sparks or arcing, making them intrinsically safe for use in ATEX Zone 1/2 and NEC Division 1/2 classified areas. Thern also offers specially rated explosion-proof configurations available on custom order.
What air pressure and flow are required to run an air winch?
Most industrial air winches require a compressed air supply of approximately 90–100 psi with sufficient CFM (cubic feet per minute) volume to match the motor’s demand at full load. Exact requirements vary by model; Thern provides detailed air consumption specs in each product sheet and owner’s manual.