General Machine Products 70530 Adams WG Winch - Manual (Page 13)

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4.02 WINCH BREAK-IN
Winches, like any other kind of machinery, require a “break-in” to perform well and to maximize their life. The fol-
lowing guidelines should be used in the break-in of the WG winch.
DO NOT exceed one half rated load or one half rated line speed for the first thirty minutes of operation. This
will insure that the worm and gear have an opportunity to wear in properly. Periodically, check the gearbox for
temperature rises and allow the winch to cool down between pulls.
5.00 WINCH
OPERATION
The following procedures must be observed to assure safe and efficient winch operation:
● Refer to operating manual for the vehicle for specific operational instructions on the hydraulic system.
● Check the body load area to make certain there are no tools or equipment to restrict winch line travel or
level wind movement.
● Check the lay of the winch line on the drum and check for uneven build-up of the winch line.
● Check to be certain that the winch clutch is fully engaged. With rotation stopped, place the winch drum
clutch control switch in the desired position for either paying out or winding in.
● Ensure that the caliper brake is not engaged when the clutch is engaged.
● Operate the directional control valve to achieve the desired direction of drum rotation.
● Pull the load steadily and evenly.
● To stop the winch, release the directional control valve lever.
● When free spool operation is required, stop the drum rotation completely, relieve the wire rope tension
and disengage the clutch by moving the control switch to the free spool position.
● Engage the caliper brake to apply pressure according to the amount of braking required to keep the drum
from over-spooling.
● The caliper brake must be used to slow down and gradually stop the winch drum in the free spool opera-
tion. This will prevent overrunning of the winch drum that could result in loose wraps, “clock springing” or
wire rope entanglement.
● If the wire rope becomes loose or tangled, it must be spooled off of the winch drum. The wire rope should
then be rewound onto the winch drum under tension.
● It is important to maintain constant tension on the wire rope at all times to prevent the rope from “clock-
springing” resulting in loose and or tangled wraps.
● The free end of the wire rope should be stowed by passing the winch line through the tail shelf sheave
and hooking the pulling eye onto a fixed section of the chassis. A slight amount of tension should be
maintained in the winch line to help prevent the formation of loose wraps on the drum.
CAUTION - THE DRAG BRAKE IS USED TO CONTROL THE DRUM SPEED IN FREE SPOOL ONLY. IT
IS NEVER TO BE USED TO HOLD THE LOAD.
● When finished using the winch, stow the free end of the winch line by passing the winch line through the
tail shelf sheave and hooking the pulling eye onto a fixed section of the chassis. A slight amount of ten-
sion should be maintained in the winch line to help prevent the formation of loose wraps on the drum.
5.01
Extension Shaft Operation:
● The caliper brake must be engaged to prevent any drum rotation whenever the drum is declutched from
the drum shaft for extension shaft operation.
● The extension shaft must rotate the accessory, i.e. CR power reel, in a counterclockwise direction when
viewed from the curb side of the truck. This is important because when the extension shaft rotates in a
clockwise direction, it will be working against the winch’s load holding brake causing heating and exces-
sive wear. Also, when the extension shaft rotates in a clockwise direction, it may have a tendency to
loosen the wire rope on the drum.
● When finished using the extension shaft, re-engage the clutch and then release the caliper brake.
● Ensure that no wire rope has run over the drum flanges and off of the drum. If any wire rope has run off of
the winch drum, put the wire rope back onto the winch drum and spool off the loose wraps. The wire rope
should then be rewound onto the winch drum under tension.