Lewis Winch Operating Tips: Winding Cable Evenly On Spool

Posted by: Lewis Winch
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Q...How do you keep the Lewis Winch cable wrapped evenly on the spool?  I have difficulty controlling the cable when I am pulling a heavy load.

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A.... Like you, I found that there was a concern with cable loading on one side of the spool, but I easily control that by positioning a Snatch Block right in front of the Lewis Winch.



Snatch Block anchored to tree to control cable


You can see this set-up in the first photo.






I watch the spool and if the cable is loading up too much on one side, I back off a little to ease the tension on the cable and change the angle of the unit so the cable winds on the other side of the spool.





Winch and Snatch Block used on lumber rack



I also use the chainsaw winch to load 8 foot logs into my pick-up or my logging trailer.

I have a stout lumber rack on the pick-up and I run the winch off of the top of the rack.





This allows me to load logs right into my truck box - also utilizing snatch blocks to guide the log, and again watching the cable, backing off the throttle when nessesary to change the angle and insure the cable winds evenly.

Beside my Norwood portable sawmill I have a cedar post in the ground and I attach the Lewis Winch to it to drag the logs out of the pick-up or my logging trailer.

Keep with it - like everything else, you have to figure out what works best for you.

Watch video about how to use Snatch Blocks

For more information visit our website
 http://www.lewiswinch.com/

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Lewis Winch Operating Tips: Unspooling Cable

Posted by: Lewis Winch

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Unspooling Cable:  The Lewis Winch is a drum winch, and it has similar operating challenges as any type of drum winch. Unspooling the cable and rewinding it back evenly on the spool becomes second nature to a seasoned winch operator, but can be a challenge to a newbie.

This Lewis Winch tip is about unspooling the cable without causing the cable to expand on the drum and become tangled, commonly called a "birds nest". 

A "birds nest" is a result of the cable being unspooled in such a manner that the free-wheeling drum starts to increase in speed and turn faster than the operator is pulling out the cable. The cable then becomes loose on the spool and will eventually cause a jam.

There is a very simple solution to this annoying challenge.

The Lewis Winch is equiped with a hand brake which slows or stops the drum from turning. The brake handle has a small hole at the end which will accept the hook of a small bungee cord.




Bungee cord attached to brake handle

 

If you connect a bungee cord  to the brake handle and pull back to apply a little tension, then attach the other end to the back of your Lewis Winch or to your saw, then you can easily adjust the tension and control the drum speed.

With a little practice you will find just the right tension to allow you to pull the cable out easily but not allow the drum to run faster than you are pulling, thus eliminating the possibility of a "birds nest".

Watch this video for more details on unspooling cable.

   

For more winch tips please visit our website:

 http://www.lewiswinch.com/

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Your "Dear Santa" Letter

Posted by: Lewis Winch

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You know how it is.

Nobody asks you what you want for Christmas

and you end up owning another ugly sweater.

So here's a suggestion... write a letter to Santa

and ask him to team up with the raindeers if necessary,

but ask him to bring you a brand new Lewis Winch -

because that's what you really really want for Christmas.

_______________________________

Make it easier for Santa and ask him

to sign up with us for our Christmas Special,

Click here to receive big discounts and funny bloopers

Visit our website http://www.lewiswinch.com/

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Lewis Winch under the Christmas tree!!

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Posted by: Lewis Winch
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Did you know that Lewis Winch “Inside Scoop” members get special deals on Lewis Winch Products?

A lucky someone is getting a Lewis Winch for Christmas. 

If you haven’t signed up yet for our funny Blooper Videos, then you are missing all our special offers, too!


So what are you waiting for?


Click on the link below to join.


Sign up for our blooper videos and periodic special offers!!


And if you sign up before Christmas, you’ll get a GREAT DISCOUNT on a new Lewis Winch!


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http://www.lewiswinch.com/

What if the cable breaks on a Lewis Winch?

Posted by: Lewis Winch

Q...Can the aircraft cable supplied with a Lewis Winch break and snap back and hit the operator?



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A... We have never heard of this happening with a Lewis Winch, but wire rope can - in some conditions - fail (break) and in so doing release stored kinetic (elastic) energy. The key to how much kinetic energy gets stored in a tensioned wire-rope, is the length of line that is out. A short length will not have enough energy to do much at all, even if it parts at the hook, while a much longer length parting in such a manner might snap back with enough force to hurt a person. As the Lewis Winch comes with only 150 feet of 3/16 "cable and the maximum single line pull is 4000 pounds this length and weight is unlikely to snap back with any force.

We also offer a 250 foot cable as an option for the Lewis Winch. There could be more stored kinetic energy in this cable because of it's length and therefore more potential of a snap back.

The simple cure is that if one has a lot of single line out and expects a hard pull, to drape a jacket or towel over the winch line at around the mid point. This way if the line were to part at the winch then the line is going away from you anyway, and if it parts at the hook then the jacket or towel will absorb the energy (unless the cable is damaged, it's very unlikely that wire rope will part in the middle somewhere).



If you have say 150 - 200 feet of line out and you drape a jacket at mid point, then if you are still winching by the time you reach the jacket then simply pluck it off and carry on. The amount of line still to go won't have enough stored elastic energy to do anything, and besides if you are still winching you probably aren't pulling hard anymore.

-All of the above is based on a person pulling very hard on a single winch line.
 
There's little need to do that if you are properly equipped.
 
Just put a snatch block on that really hard pull, and take it easy on everything.
 
Please visit our website to watch instructional videos.
 
http://www.LewisWinch.com/
 
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Lewis Winch gives good service!

Posted by OasisTree:





I bought my Lewis Winch in the spring of '08, and mounted it on a Stihl 650.





I love it!





Last summer I noticed that a piece that you turn to lock the winch in place was starting to bend. Later I was winching a large Mulberry stump onto my trailer, the stump caught, and instead of my choker breaking, that piece on the winch broke. When I took it apart, the roll pin that held it in place had actually broken in two.





I called Lewis Winch headquarters, and they sent my new pieces free of charge. Was very happy with the service, just alerting any of you other Lewis Winch owners that it might be a possible weak point.





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Posted by Lewis Winch:





We are very happy that you are satisfied with our service and like so many others, that you love your Lewis Winch.





The roll pin that you mentioned, also acts as a shear pin. You are running a very powerful saw on your Lewis Winch, so when your stump caught, something had to give.





We make the clutch and drum roll pins "the weak link" on purpose, so they act as a safety device for the Lewis Winch.

It is much less expensive to replace the roll pins than a broken gear or the cable.



We hope you continue to safely enjoy your Lewis Winch and please feel free to contact us anytime for advice, parts, service or just a friendly chat! And remember, we are always looking for good photos and video footage of you using your Lewis Winch.



info@lewiswinch.com








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Lewis Boat Winch

Posted by AK Dutch:

I've heard about using a chainsaw winch to pull your boat off a sandbar when stuck. I was looking for information on this setup. Does anybody have any suggestions to brand, availability in Fairbanks, size, cost? How big of one do I need to pull my XS off the beach?

In addition, what is the most popular type of anchor for river use, I have used a big Brucefor my AK Searunner, but that wouldn't work too good in the river I think.

Thanks, John

Posted by Mr. Pid:

I've owned and worn out two Rule winches. I got my money's worth from them, but my next winch will be a Lewis.

www.lewiswinch.com

Put this baby on any heavy duty chainsaw you have (not a small homeowner model) and it will get the job done. I know guys that like capstan winches, but I wouldn't give you a nickel for one. I like steel cable and the ability to use pully blocks to increase the pull capacity.

Posted by Crumm:

Any other reason other than the ability of doubling the line with cable? I have never used a capstan other than the hand-powered rope along style but the continuous pull looks like a good feature on a gas powered unit.

Posted by Mr. Pid:

Because I don't trust rope. It abrades easily, it stretches, and it behaves differently when it's wet, let alone muddy. I'm not comfortable standing at the winch with any heavy load on the line, but I am more comfortable with cable. My winches have been multi-use tools. Dragging trees, pulling boats up the bank for winter, etc. I can't imagine pulling stumps with rope. I often use two snatch blocks with my winch and the cables about as tight as an A string on a guitar. And then I get to root around with an axe and a handyman jack while the winch line is loaded. No rope for this kid.

Also, I had to use my chainsaw winch to drag my Yamaha Viking (heavy) out of a deep hole I found when a snow bridge broke and I dropped into a creek (now very heavy). I wonder how a capstan winch would have worked pulling very wet rope in zero degree temperatures.

Not good I'd imagine!

Come to think of it, I've also used it to pull a skidplane out of overflow.

Yep, the've served me well.