Hand Winch Maintenance

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008 at 18:32

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jdwynn (Adelaide)

I did something unusual the other weekend – I used my hand winch (Big Haul) in anger!! It was in sand. Now there’s a bit of sand in the mechanism (basically stuck to grease) as a result. Cable just looks like it has a bit of ‘dust’ on it.

Probably be a while before it’s used again. Should I pull it apart clean and re-grease? Should I do anything to the cable – don’t really want to apply an oily substance as it will attract dust?

Thanks in anticipation.

JD

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Reply By: Member - Redbakk (WA) - Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008 at 20:40

Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008 at 20:40

Except for just basic wipe over I never really clean it much at all...bit of lube now and then that's all....worked 17 years underground and they were always dirty, muddy and grubby but still worked ok...just threw them into the rib after use...basic neglect they seem to handle ok....I think it is because they are so simple in design.

AnswerID: 328012

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008 at 20:46

Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008 at 20:46

JD,
I pulled my Tirfor apart because I figured it was good to maintain it, but it was a waste of time. For a hand winch, I wouldn't bother.

AnswerID: 328014

Reply By: Peter 2 - Thursday, Oct 02, 2008 at 10:26

Thursday, Oct 02, 2008 at 10:26

Plus there are lots of little bits to lose if you pull it apart.
all I've ever done when it was full of mud was to hose it out, blow it out with compressed air and then relubed it.
when in use make sure it is sitting on a tarp rather than the ground (it will usually pull up off the ground when under tension anyway) and tie a piece of rag around the cable where it enters the winch which will wipe most of the crap off the cable as it pulls through.

AnswerID: 328099