Capstain wheel winches

Is this article you are writing something that we could publish on ExplorOz? Talk to me.

Yes I know someone who made a set about 20yrs ago and adapts them to fit his current vehicle. I was considering building a set myself but I was worried about weather it could do any harm to independent suspension. I have only seen them used on vehicles with live axles. It is not necessary to have two anchor points as with a set of rollers on the front bumper one rope can be used from one drum throgh the rollers to the anchor point then back through the other rollers to the other drum. Very effective and cheap.

Goran, the Army where trialing the same type of system back in the 70's, but abandoned the project as it was to time consuminig as well as causing premature failure of the wheel bearings, cv joints and causing damage to the steering arms & drag links due to the stress placed on the front wheels, i did also see in an early 90's addition of overlander magazine someone marketing this exact same system, it consisted of two capstan hubs that you bolted to your front or back wheels, a steel wire rope that you joined each end to the hubs & a snatch block, i think by memory it sold for around $300 or $400, but i don't think it took off, a tirfor was more practical.

A bit of history for Exploroz team. The series 2 Landrovers (1960's)had an optional capstan winch fitted at the front of the vehicle, ran of the crank handle insert on the front of the engine. Could be powered either by the engine, or if engine failed a shorter crank handle was supplied to power the winch. The unit was very effective

Can anyone post a photo of this amazing device.
I would like to have one now.
I can NOT really vizualize what it looks like.
I do usually about 20000kms in grade 3 to 4 4WDrive in outback Australia and
I ceratinly do not like elctric winches.
my email is aufempen@yahoo.com
Guy

One of the reasons that landrover stopped making capstan winches was the number of injuries caused with them. You've got to get much more "personal" with a capstan. I believe the army came to the same conclusion. However. their extraction ability is amazing.

That probably makes no sence to anyone, as I was answering another post....oooooooppppppppssssss.

I'll see what I can get in the way of photos.

We have used a captsan winch on a cruiser powered by the the PTO to haul in underground cables. EXTREMELY effective

Goran. I have used a wheel winch in a light truck application with dual wheels and it worked fine but it eventully collapsed the spacer. I considered building one for my current 4WD but could not find a simple way of fitting without potentially damaging/ marking my mags. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have made a few sets of "wheel winches" for MQ Patrol, Hilux, 80 Series & my current vehicle, a '93 Disco. (See reply from Maurie above). Each drum consists of a piece of 6" pipe, with a 6mm flange at the wheel rim end & a 3mm flange at outside end. To attach, remove 3 wheelnuts & bolt drum on with these. Rope guides consist of 4x25mm rollers in a frame which bolts to steel bullbar (one frame each end of bar). The winch drums have 2x25mm holes drilled in outer 3mm flange, to take rope, no knots required. I use 16mm sailtech poly rope, easy to handle & lightweight, breaking strain 4000lb. I use 1 length of rope, 35 metres, through a snatch block at the tree. I made the snatchblock, as the commercial ones have too narrow a groove. This setup has never failed, is light, set up in 10 mins, no maintenance, unlimited torque. Can also pull from the rear, or at 90degrees. I use on front or rear wheels, depending on situation. The strain on steering gear would be nothing compared to, for example, hitting a pothole at 100km/hr, bearing in mind that the rope is only 100 mm from the axle. I have used this setup since '81, & the last occasion was in 2001, pulling Disco & Phoenix caravan (total 5 tonne!) from mudhole in Gulf. 6hrs, 16 different trees, no hot electric motors! (After which my wife & I headed for the Normanton Pub!) Dissadvantages: Not as trendy as a winch ; Take care to stop as soon as traction is gained, as the rope is easily overun. Note: with a difflock, if you're short of rope, 1 drum is OK. Cheers!

Goran
We've been lucky, there's always been a tree or 2, or another vehicle. I always carry 2 snatchblocks, in case 2 trees gives a better direction. If I had to, I'd bury the spare, or a log. There's always a way out. Regards Ged.