Author Topic: winch question  (Read 1046 times)

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Offline MikeC

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winch question
« on: February 21, 2011, 07:20:27 AM »
This is the 2nd try at plowing with a "new to me" 2009 Brute Force 650 SRA.  All went well, but part way through the job the winch stopped working.  It would go out, but not in, so I couldn't raise the plow. I just got this and don't even know what make winch it has. I didn't take it apart to check. I am assuming it was overheated, because letting it sit for 30 mins and trying again, it worked fine and I finished up. I suppose I will take it back to the dealer I bought it from the have them check it out, but was wondering if this is common or not. I was using it for about 40 mins, or perhaps 15 raise/lower of the plow.

-Mike

Offline Old Syko

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Re: winch question
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2011, 02:11:30 PM »
Mike just in case it is a Warn winch I'll offer you a link to the Warn contactor recall.  No atv manufacturer offers a winch as original equipment so all are dealer installed.  Some of the really cheap winches have such low duty cycles as to overheat at the drop of a hat.  A quality winch, if properly installed will not overheat during plowing exercises.  Contactors, both manual and electronic, and switches, fail on occasion, but rarely.

http://www.warn.com/atv/recall_notice.shtml
 

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: winch question
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2011, 03:01:30 PM »
I agree with Syko.

 You can check all connections, short of that I'm gonna guess you have a bad switch.  My switch is "going" I have to press it hard to get it ti pull in. 
Mine is a Gorilla, 3K

CW
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Offline Lloyd Smale

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Re: winch question
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2011, 12:59:30 AM »
lot of the cheaper atv winches have plastic gears in them and they strip real easy. Even the cheaper warns have plastic. Make sure if you buy a new one that you pay a bit more and get one with steel gears. Also buck up and by at least a 3000 lb winch. You may not need that much power buy they work alot less hard to pull and dont overheat.
blue lives matter

Offline Darrell Davis

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Re: winch question
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2011, 01:13:43 PM »
Also another thought as to snow plowing and using the wench to raise the blade ----------

It is hard, unless you can pay better attention then I do, to always keep track of blade position.

Especially when you have pushed into a pile of snow and the blade has risen up on the pile.

When this happens, you can stress the cable before you realize the situation and it doesn't take many times of doing this before the cable can break.

A friend came over to ride the hills with me last Summer, and he had a frame attached to the front of his 4wheeler.

I ask the reason for the frame and he explained that he had also stressed/broken his cable, so made the frame to allow for the cable to go over some snatch blocks, the last of which is attached to a stiff spring before the cable finally attaches to a lift point on the plow frame.

I liked the idea, but didn't get er done untill I had already broken my old and warn cable 3 or 4 times early in this winter.

Finally took the time to build the frame.

Because I didn't like my cable making the tight bend over the fairlead at the front of the wench, I hung the first snatch block just where the cable comes through the fairlead, at which point it goes down to the plow frame, through another snatch block back up to the top of the new attached frame where it again goes through another snatch block and then down to the lift point on the plow frame.

The last snatch block at the top of the support frame is attached to a spring or springs.

These springs need to be heavy enough to MORE then allow for lifting the frame, as they give a visual on the cable pressure before the cable becomes stressed on the wench drum.

Because all of the snatch blocks are single pully, I am not gaining lifting ability, but am putting the cable action up where it is visable.

As said, you need good springs on that top snatch block.  My first set was waaaaay to light, the second was headed the right direction, but I think the new and heavier set which should arrive Thursday will about do it.

Keep em coming!

CDOC
300 Winmag

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: winch question
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2011, 01:32:45 PM »
I think I follow... Sounds involved....

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.... can we try and prove that?   ;D ;D ;D

CW
"Pay heed to the man who carries a single shot rifle, he likely knows how to use it."

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Remember... Four boxes keep us free: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.

Offline Darrell Davis

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Re: winch question
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2011, 01:55:05 PM »
cwlongshot,

Would love to, but seem to be challenged with getting images posted.

Have yet to have anyone get me up to speed with that.

At this point, I usually just make a CD and send it on to the interested party.

Keep em coming!

CDOC
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: winch question
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2011, 02:03:00 PM »
cwlongshot,

Would love to, but seem to be challenged with getting images posted.

Have yet to have anyone get me up to speed with that.

At this point, I usually just make a CD and send it on to the interested party.

Keep em coming!

CDOC

If you can burn 'em to a disc, you can post pics!!!

 I like photobucket, but you will need a image hosting site. Most are free for a small quantity of images. Once you have that, upload pics form your PC to the site and you will get a couple options to post them. Just copy the link under the pic and paste to the post in the thread you want them in.. DONE!!!

IIRC there is a link in the FAQ's on how its done.

If you want send me a email with a couple pics, I'll post them for you. cwlongshot@att.net

CW
"Pay heed to the man who carries a single shot rifle, he likely knows how to use it."

NRA LIFE Member 
Remember... Four boxes keep us free: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.

Offline Old Syko

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Re: winch question
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2011, 02:05:24 AM »
There are commercially available attachments made much as Darrell describes and I suppose they do work but the cheapest way to keep from breaking a cable is just as suggested by most plow and winch manufacturers.  I use a short 1 1/2" flat lifting strap rather than wire rope.  Yes you need to strip off your wire rope to use it but it only takes a couple minutes and if you're like me it needs to be removed and untangled from use once in a while anyway. 

If you want the winch up where you can see it a high mount receiver hitch is simple and you can carry the winch in a box or bag attached to the rack when not in use.

Like CW, I would like to see a pic.  Always looking for better ways of doing things. 

Offline Darrell Davis

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Re: winch question
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2011, 05:26:42 AM »
WOW fellers, I sure would like to be able to get images posted.

Looked for the info on GB yesterday, and didn't find it, as well as have tried what I could find and printed off info.  Just don't seem to ger er done.

But "intuetive" (SP?) is the word that keeps getting thrown out when it comes to pooter things, and for a 67year old, Ol'Coot, that is plain and simply a bunch of bull.  There ain't no such thing!

Maybe so for my kids who started playing the little electronic hand held games back in the 70s, but not but for SOME of us who learned 1 + 1 = 2 with a #2 pencil.

Yes, I am gaining and have learned a bunch in the last year.

However, I for some reason, have not been able to get images sent out by "E" for some time.

Even had computer Jim, the next door pooter techy who is employed by the Nez Perce Indians, has given it a go and no luck.

Know there is an answer, but I don't know what it is. Sorry!

AS said, glad to make a CD for anyone I can help.

AS per the strap on the sench.  Well, that would prevent messing up the cable, but would not keep me from stressing and breaking the strap.  I must be able to see the action of the cable and springs as things come tight.

Keep em coming!

CDOC  (Crusty Deary Ol'Coot)
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Offline Old Syko

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Re: winch question
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2011, 06:47:25 AM »
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger on the puter thing.  Some days everything works great and others the stars just will not align.  I've 3 and 5 year old granddaughters who serve as my backup when I get in too deep and it's amazing to watch.   8)

The strap I use is rated for 11,000#.  I ain't likely to break it with a 3,000# winch but you never know.   :o   

Offline Darrell Davis

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Re: winch question
« Reply #11 on: February 24, 2011, 10:41:46 AM »
Yep, your 11000 lb strap should do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jury rigged my system for the last couple of days, but my new springs should be here by UPS today.

I can watch the cable get tight the way it is, kinda, but you never know for sure until you back away from the pile.  Soon as the springs are in place, I can watch the spring action and know if I am applying pressure or the cable just looks tight.

Have had an easy winter so far.  Lots of snow early, which went away and not it is like winter again with the snow piling up.

Last winter we rode the back country on the 4wheelers almost all winter.  Some North slopes with deeper snow, but most trails were easy riding.

This year, it is a bit different story.

With the weather clearing up and the snow leaving for awhile, hope the critters are doing well.  They should, I hope, make it through this last bit of snow in OK shape.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot
300 Winmag

Offline Dave in WV

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Re: winch question
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2011, 12:21:08 PM »
I use this Amsteel synthetic winch rope for my plow. Great stuff. After two seasons it shows no wear.
http://www.cseoffroad.com/atvplowrope.html
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means
--Albert Einstein

Offline Darrell Davis

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Re: winch question
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2011, 12:31:17 PM »
Dave,

Looks like a good product!!!

My new springs did come in yesterday, so I am back up and operational.

Had most of my snow under control before they arrived, but plowed some more after installing the new springs and doing away with the jury rig I was using.

These springs are not only heavier then the last set, but almost twice as long.  All and all I think I have arrived with this third try.

I still like the frame/spring set up, as it gives me a visual as to what is going on.

Keep em coming!

CDOC
300 Winmag