DIY tirfor winch handle

[harveyWhite]

Thank you everyone for your help. That's definitely saved me £100.
I can't wait to look on the scrapheap!

My cable arrives on Monday and can't wait to see how it will fettle the stubborn rhododendron stumps that need taking out.

[Haironyourchest]

At risk of teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, could I suggest you set up the Tirfor in reverse? (Don't know your Tirfor history so I'm assuming you're an amateur - if that's not the case, please disregard and forgive) It's just that the cable end could pop off the stump as the stump angle changes, causing decapitation. It's always decapitation for some reason, Murphy's Law maybe. If you set the winch up the other way round, with the cable hook end anchored to something really solid, it's safer. If the chain or strap or whatever pops off the stump, it's the Tirfor that goes flying, not the hook and cable. Just be sure to stand next to the Tirfor, so you don't get hit by it if it goes. This set up also allows you to be "on top of the work" so you can see what's going on with the stump, and work it with the space or prybar as necessary.

[daltontrees]

7 hours ago, Haironyourchest said:

At risk of teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, could I suggest you set up the Tirfor in reverse? (Don't know your Tirfor history so I'm assuming you're an amateur - if that's not the case, please disregard and forgive) It's just that the cable end could pop off the stump as the stump angle changes, causing decapitation. It's always decapitation for some reason, Murphy's Law maybe. If you set the winch up the other way round, with the cable hook end anchored to something really solid, it's safer. If the chain or strap or whatever pops off the stump, it's the Tirfor that goes flying, not the hook and cable. Just be sure to stand next to the Tirfor, so you don't get hit by it if it goes. This set up also allows you to be "on top of the work" so you can see what's going on with the stump, and work it with the space or prybar as necessary.

That's good advice. A suddenly released cable under a lot of tension is an instant killer. Especially with a kio of metal hook on the end.

[Rough Hewn]

After reading this thread,
My advice would be:
A tirfor is the wrong piece of equipment for the job.
[emoji106]

[Khriss]

3 minutes ago, Rough Hewn said:

After reading this thread,
My advice would be:
A tirfor is the wrong piece of equipment for the job.

Oh no - they are a life saver sometimes , just an arse to set up . Definately use a good anchor, K

[Khriss]

10 hours ago, harveyWhite said:

Thank you everyone for your help. That's definitely saved me £100.
I can't wait to look on the scrapheap!

My cable arrives on Monday and can't wait to see how it will fettle the stubborn rhododendron stumps that need taking out.

Also good fr undercutting trees yr root balling  . K

[openspaceman]

The genuine Tirfor handle is telescopic and the outer is 610mm long with a diameter of 33mm OD and wall thickness  of 3mm. Not sure how long the inner is as mine is bent and jammed in the outer but it is 25mm OD with a 2mm wall thickness.

 

The outer is swaged down at the telescoping bit so the inner used to ride freely in it (this probably avoids problems with the weld seam). It looks like it was electroplated zinc.

 

If it is mild steel these sections are available.

 

I don't expect ever to use either of my Tirfors again nor the screw ground anchor as the Eder winch is better in all respects.

 

 

I just need access to a hydraulic press to see if I can get it telescoping freely again.

[Rough Hewn]

Get a snatch block to offset the angle.
You’ll be out the way then[emoji106]

[5thelement]

The genuine ‘maxi flex’ cable recommended for use with a genuine Tirfir has no ‘memory’, so won’t fly back at high speed if it suddenly disconnects, it just moves back slightly and hits the floor, that’s why I don’t stand right on top of the object being pulled.

These winches where designed to be operated as per manufacturers recommendations for a reason.

[Haironyourchest]

Are you sure the maxi flex cable has no memory? It's a steel rope. Maybe you're thinking of Dyneema (Spectra) UHDP textile rope - that has no stretch therefore no (or little) backlash.