Winches

Operating & Maintaining your Winch:

While at rest, the winch reel is kept from turning when the brake shoes press on the brake drum. When applying a force to the inner barrel by turning the crank, the brake shoes to retract slightly, allowing the winch barrel to turn as long as force is applied. This should be done in a slow, easy rhythm.  Cranking a winch too quickly can cause a “birdnest” affect on the cable.  This is a costly repair.  When you stop cranking the brake shoes to move against the brake drum and hold the reel steady. With use over time, the build-up of friction by-products in the reel may prevent the shoes from moving. If they are held against the drum, it will become difficult to operate the winch. If they are held slightly off the drum, the winch will begin to slip a little.

To eliminate either problem, the winch must be cleaned periodically with the brake cleaner supplied with the flagpole. Spray the cleaner into the crack between the barrel and the flanged brake drum while vigorously cranking the winch back and forth in short turns. The spray cleaner will tend to blow and wash out built-up debris around the brake shoe linkage, restoring smooth operation. The winch should be cleaned one a month, or whenever its operation begins to become erratic.