Lewis winch

[GazN]

has anyone got much experience with a Lewis Winch? considering buying one as they look great for the price.

[Steve Bullman]

Yep used one plenty.  They are very useful indeed but have to be treated carefully or you will have problems with them.  Much prefer one over a tirfor

[gobbypunk]

Yeah trifor winch defo best hand winch out there 

[daveindales]

I have one. Run it on a 372.  Had it about 8 years now. Very reliable. I think I made a few comments in  previous comments. Try doing an arbtalk search. Their fine for pulling trees or piles of branches up hill and for aiding the felling of small trees. Swap the standard wire rope for dyneema rope. This avoids the wire rope kinking. Don't try felling large trees with them. Stick with the tirfor as you have more control.

[Steve Bullman]

Just now, daveindales said:

Swap the standard wire rope for dyneema rope

if you're not very careful the dyneema rope will splay the drum open

[daveindales]

8 minutes ago, Steve Bullman said:

if you're not very careful the dyneema rope will splay the drum open

 

Could you elaborate why you think dyneema would damage the drum. Im a bit lost, or possibly a bit thick!!

 

The wire rope just did my head in with linking, and I much prefer the dyneema, but I don't want to recommend it or use it if it may damage the drum.

[Steve Bullman]

Sure....and it's not 'why I think it would damage the drum', it DOES.  I have seen it first hand.

 

Basically if it isn't coiled perfectly and tensioned perfectly every time what can happen is when its winding itself in the rope will flatten out, this in turn makes the drum spay out and cease.

I should have got photos when it happened.

 

But yes, in theory it should be a lot nicer than messing around with wire rope.  And it is, but you need to be aware of the limitations

[daveindales]

I've noticed the dyneema flatten out. Don't know if I dare check the drum now?

 

would this happen with wire rope if it was not coiled in perfect?

[GazN]

Cheers all for replies! I'll prob get one ordered, got a lot of oak down a long bank that needs dragging..

[Steve Bullman]

You’d know if the drum had spayed as it would have completely Seized.

i think it’s just the dyneema you have to be careful with