6 Best Small Winches For Tightening Greenhouse Plastic That Stop Wind Damage
Secure your greenhouse from wind. Our guide reviews the 6 best small winches that keep plastic film taut, preventing flapping and costly tears.
There’s no sound more gut-wrenching to a greenhouse owner than the frantic flapping of plastic in a high wind. That sound means your crops are exposed, your investment is at risk, and a long day of repairs is ahead. The difference between a secure structure and a torn-up mess often comes down to one simple tool: a small hand winch.
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Securing Greenhouse Plastic Against High Winds
Set up this portable 8x6 EAGLE PEAK greenhouse in seconds thanks to its innovative pop-up design. The durable steel frame and premium PE cover create a stable environment for plants with zippered doors and mesh windows for easy access and ventilation.
Loose greenhouse plastic is a liability. Wind doesn’t just tear it; it gets underneath and turns the entire cover into a giant, destructive sail that can bend steel hoops and compromise the whole structure. The goal isn’t just to keep the plastic attached, but to make it so taut that wind flows over it without catching an edge.
A properly tensioned cover acts as a rigid skin, shedding wind and rain effectively. This tension also prevents the plastic from rubbing and chafing against the frame, which is a primary cause of premature tears and weak spots. Using a hand winch gives you the mechanical advantage needed to achieve a drum-tight surface that you simply can’t get by pulling by hand. It allows for slow, controlled, and powerful tightening that distributes the load evenly.
Many growers mistakenly think the initial pull is all that matters. But plastic expands and contracts with temperature changes, requiring periodic re-tightening throughout the season. A permanently mounted winch makes this five-minute adjustment simple, ensuring your greenhouse remains secure from the first warm days of spring to the last gales of autumn.
Farmtek Hand Crank: The Purpose-Built Solution
When you want a tool designed for one job and one job only, you look for a purpose-built solution. The Farmtek Hand Crank is exactly that. It’s not a repurposed boat winch; it was designed specifically for tensioning greenhouse film and roll-up sides. This focus means it has the right gear ratio for precise, gradual tightening without requiring immense effort.
Its design is straightforward and rugged. Typically featuring a simple brake or locking mechanism, it holds tension securely once you’ve cranked it into place. Because it’s made for this environment, it often comes with a finish that holds up well to the humidity and temperature swings inside a greenhouse.
The main advantage here is simplicity and suitability. You aren’t paying for a 1,200 lb capacity you’ll never use. You’re getting a tool with the right ergonomics and mechanics for pulling rope or cable attached to your greenhouse’s wirelock channel. For most small to mid-sized high tunnels, this is the baseline standard.
VEVOR Roll Up Winch: A Budget-Friendly Option
Not every project needs the top-of-the-line tool, especially when you’re just starting out or working with a smaller structure. VEVOR’s roll-up winches are a popular budget-friendly choice that gets the job done. They function similarly to more expensive models, providing the necessary leverage to tighten plastic on cold frames and small hobby greenhouses.
The tradeoff for the lower price point is often in the materials and construction. The gears might not be as smooth, and the finish may be less durable over the long haul. However, for a 20-foot caterpillar tunnel or for managing roll-up sides rather than the main end-wall tensioning, they offer incredible value.
Think of this as the perfect entry-level option. It allows you to implement a proper tensioning system without a significant upfront investment. If you find yourself needing to re-tension frequently or are managing a larger structure, you might eventually upgrade, but the VEVOR will prove the concept and protect your structure in the meantime.
Dutton-Lainson DL600A for Heavy-Duty Pulling
Sometimes you need more muscle. For larger high tunnels—think 75 feet or longer—or for situations where you’re pulling a double layer of inflated plastic, a standard greenhouse crank might not be enough. This is where a heavy-duty boat winch like the Dutton-Lainson DL600A shines. With a 600 lb capacity, it provides serious pulling power.
These winches are built for harsh marine environments, so their zinc-plated or powder-coated finishes are exceptionally resistant to corrosion. Their gear ratios are designed for pulling heavy loads, meaning each turn of the handle produces significant pulling force. This makes achieving a perfectly taut surface on a large expanse of plastic much easier.
Be aware that this power can be a double-edged sword. It’s possible to over-tighten and damage the plastic or the wirelock channel if you’re not careful. This winch is overkill for a small cold frame, but it’s the right tool when you’re dealing with the significant weight and drag of a large sheet of greenhouse film.
Fulton Single Speed Winch: Simple and Reliable
In farming, reliability often trumps features. The Fulton T903Z is a classic example of a simple, bulletproof single-speed winch that just works. Known for its solid construction and no-frills design, it’s a piece of equipment you can install and largely forget about. It’s another boat winch, but its reputation for durability makes it a favorite on farms.
The key here is the build quality. Fulton uses solid, high-carbon steel gears and a corrosion-resistant zinc finish that stands up to years of abuse. The single-speed mechanism is simple, with fewer moving parts to fail compared to more complex two-speed or reversible models. It provides a consistent, predictable pull every time.
This is the choice for the grower who prioritizes long-term dependability. It might not have the specialized design of a Farmtek crank, but its raw durability means it will be there for you season after season. It’s a versatile tool that feels just as at home tensioning a greenhouse as it does on the front of a small trailer.
Reese Towpower Marine Winch: A Versatile Pick
Many hobby farmers need their tools to do more than one job. A Reese Towpower marine winch is a great example of a multi-purpose tool that can serve you well beyond the greenhouse. With capacities often starting around 900 lbs, it has more than enough power for any greenhouse application and can be unbolted and used for other farm tasks, like pulling a small engine or skidding logs.
These winches typically come with a heavy-duty strap, which you’ll likely want to replace with steel cable or a strong synthetic rope for greenhouse use. The handle mechanisms are robust and designed for heavy, repeated use. Their widespread availability at automotive and farm supply stores also makes them easy to find.
Choosing a Reese winch is a practical decision. If you can only justify buying one winch for the whole farm, this is a strong contender. You get a tool that solves your greenhouse problem while also adding a valuable piece of general-purpose equipment to your workshop.
Bootstrap Farmer Crank for Market Gardeners
Bootstrap Farmer has built a strong reputation among small-scale market gardeners, and their hand cranks are no exception. These are often sold as part of a complete high tunnel or roll-up side kit, which removes the guesswork. They are designed to integrate seamlessly with the other components, like the conduit and mounting hardware they sell.
The design is simple and effective, focusing on ease of use for the busy grower. While similar in function to other purpose-built greenhouse cranks, buying from a company like Bootstrap Farmer often comes with the added benefit of excellent instructional content and customer support geared specifically toward small farmers.
This is the ideal choice if you’re already invested in a particular company’s ecosystem or if you want a guaranteed-to-fit solution for a common high tunnel design. It’s less about the technical specs of the winch itself and more about the convenience and reliability of a proven system. It’s a practical choice for growers who value time and simplicity.
Proper Installation for Maximum Wind Resistance
The best winch in the world is useless if it’s mounted improperly. Your winch needs to be anchored to a solid structural element, like a heavy-duty wooden end-wall frame or the metal baseboard of your high tunnel. Mounting it to a flimsy piece of wood or a single piece of tubing will only result in failure when the structure is under load.
The winch is only one part of the system. The plastic itself should be held in a "wirelock" or "wiggle wire" channel. This U-shaped aluminum channel, with a PVC-coated steel wire pressed into it, grips the entire edge of the plastic firmly and evenly. The winch’s rope or cable should pull on the pipe or conduit that secures the plastic in this channel, not on the plastic itself.
Finally, aim for balanced tension. Don’t just crank one side as tight as it can go. Work back and forth, tightening each winch a little at a time to ensure the plastic pulls down evenly over the entire arch of the greenhouse. A smooth, uniformly tight surface is far more wind-resistant than a cover that is extremely tight in one spot and loose in another. This careful installation is what truly protects your greenhouse from the wind.
Ultimately, a small hand winch is a cheap insurance policy for your most valuable season-extension tool. By choosing the right one for your scale and installing it correctly, you can stop worrying every time the wind picks up and focus on what’s growing inside.
