Backcountry Pilot • Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

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Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

Good Day All!

I am posting to share a product that my business partner and I developed and just introduced to the market.

It is called the Dragan Systems Pocket Winch.

Image

The website has full details: https://dragansystems.com/

As you can see, it is a very compact and lightweight hand winch, that is constructed from aerospace grade materials (aluminum, stainless steel, carbon fiber and high-modulus UHMWPE line). The winch weighs under 1 pound and is about the size of a beer can. Packed with accessories, it is 3"x4"x7".

It was designed with many use cases in mind. It is useful in backcountry rescue situations, as well as for myriad tasks around the house, at the ranch, on a job site or in the field.

We are initially targeting the adventure touring motorcycle crowd, ATV/UTV users, arborists, SAR operations, whitewater rafters and hunters, but it is also a great tool to add to your backcountry flying kit.

I have jacked my 180 using a prototype packable monopod accessory that will also soon be available. The first prototype demonstrated that a stable and confidence inspiring backcountry jacking arrangement is achievable and is a high priority for me.

We have tested it extensively in the lab, as well as in the field, and the performance has been stellar.

It is small and light enough to pack along without burden and can help one get out of a situation that may otherwise require a call for help.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

Woah!! What a cool tool! I can’t believe it only weighs 1lb.

Do you have photos of jacking up your wagon with a monopod? I’m having a hard time envisioning it.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

Very cool, I need something to handle a wheels to floats changeover, anything being designed that would fill that task.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

SmokeyTheBear wrote:Woah!! What a cool tool! I can’t believe it only weighs 1lb.

Do you have photos of jacking up your wagon with a monopod? I’m having a hard time envisioning it.


There is a gallery of use cases on the website with a time lapse of lifting one gear on my 180. There are some proprietary features that i can't yet disclose in public, so not too much is available at this time

I need something to handle a wheels to floats changeover, anything being designed that would fill that task.
.

There are definitely other things in the works, but our products are not designed for overhead loads at this time.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

SPECTS say. The Dragan Pocket Winch has a pulling capacity of 1,6000 lbs (1 US ton). Which one is it.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

DENNY wrote:SPECTS say. The Dragan Pocket Winch has a pulling capacity of 1,6000 lbs (1 US ton). Which one is it.
DENNY


Typo on the website. 1600 pounds.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

Very slick!
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

What a great idea. Looks like a well designed and thought out product. Not sure I would spring for one for our rafting company, but could find dozens of reasons to have one personally. Hope you do well with it!

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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

I have carried a rope puller on my my snowmobile for years, very handy when you don't have a winch. Maasdam has always been the go to brand for rope pullers, they are $74.76 on Amazon.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

What a great addition for my elk hunting pack! Will order one.

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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

How many feet of line will fit on the spool until you have to reset?
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

steve wrote:I have carried a rope puller on my my snowmobile for years, very handy when you don't have a winch. Maasdam has always been the go to brand for rope pullers, they are $74.76 on Amazon.

These rope pullers are great units indeed. They are almost 30 inches inches long and weigh 20 pounds, compared to 6 inches and 1 pound for the Pocket Winch, which will handle a slightly higher load.

I will not carry a rope puller on my motorcycle, in a loaded up Cub, in a backpack or when riding a horse in the wilderness, but I will carry a Pocket Winch in all of those situations and not even know it's there until I need it.

DENNY wrote:How many feet of line will fit on the spool until you have to reset?
DENNY

It carries 20 feet of line on the spool.

And, we developed a line termination system that allows for the extra line to be taken up before tying off to your load, so you are always starting with little slack and minimal line on the spool.
Last edited by Scolopax on Wed Apr 30, 2025 10:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

This is sweet!! Takes some engineering to reduce to that size and weight. Perfect for light aircraft. Nice work Jake.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

20 ft is a nice pull length!! It would be a great rig for the Cessna 180 especially on floats. Light enough for even the Cub, and would be great on a Moose hunt.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

unable to use the link or find the web page. Sorry, I am not that compute literate. Google search always brings up dragon systems. when clicking on link in your posting it says web page not available.

S
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

seward wrote:unable to use the link or find the web page. Sorry, I am not that compute literate. Google search always brings up dragon systems. when clicking on link in your posting it says web page not available.

S


Try this:

https://dragansystems.com/
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

Sorry, no luck. Perhaps the issue is at my end. I still get the standard warning that begins with

This site can't be reached
The webpage at https://dragansystems.com/ might be temporarily....etc.

S
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

seward wrote:Sorry, no luck. Perhaps the issue is at my end. I still get the standard warning that begins with

This site can't be reached
The webpage at https://dragansystems.com/ might be temporarily....etc.

S


It seems to be working fine for me. Maybe try another device, browser or network.

If you can't get it working and would like more details, feel free to send me a message.
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

Scolopax wrote:Try this:
https://dragansystems.com/


Came up fine for me.
Looks like an awesome tool, Jake-- good job!
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Re: Dragan Systems Pocket Winch

seward wrote:Sorry, no luck. Perhaps the issue is at my end. I still get the standard warning that begins with

This site can't be reached
The webpage at https://dragansystems.com/ might be temporarily....etc.

S


What internet provider do you have there in Seward?
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