Ramsey Winch 300/H-300 RAM-LOK - Manual (Page 4)

TECHNIQUES OF OPERATION
The best way to get acquainted with how your winch operates is to make test runs before you actually use it. Plan your test in advance.
Remember, you hear your winch, as well as see it operate. Get to recognize the sounds of a light steady pull, a heavy pull, and sounds
caused by load jerking or shifting. Gain confidence in operating your winch and its use will become second nature with you.
The uneven spooling of cable, while pulling a load, is not a problem, unless there is a cable pileup on one end of drum. If this happens,
reverse the winch to relieve the load and move your anchor point further to the center of the vehicle. After the job is done you can unspool
and rewind for a neat lay of the cable
When pulling a load where there is even a remote chance of cable failure, place a blanket, jacket or tarpaulin over the cable about six feet
behind the hook. This will slow the snap back of a broken cable and could prevent serious injury.
NOTE: The Ramsey level winder for both drum lengths is an available accessory for tightly respooling unloaded cable onto the drum.
The RAM-LOK® semi-automatic clutch allows rapid unspooling of the cable, from cable drum, for hooking onto a load. The clutch is operat-
ed by the "T-handle", located on the end of the winch, as follows:
1. TO DISENGAGE CLUTCH, run the winch in the reverse (reel out) direction until the load is off the cable. Pull outward on the clutch han-
dle, rotate it counter-clockwise 90º and release. The clutch is now locked out and the cable may be pulled off by hand.
2. TO ENGAGE CLUTCH, pull outward on the handle, rotate it clockwise 90º and release. Run the winch in reverse until the clutch handle
snaps fully in or until the cable drum starts turning. At this point make sure the clutch handle is all the way in. The plastic plug in top of
clutch housing may be removed, for inspection of clutch to assure total engagement. After the clutch is fully engaged, the winch is ready
for winching in the cable.
WINCH MAINTENANCE
Adhering to the following maintenance schedule will keep your winch in top condition and performing as it should with a minimum of repair.
A. WEEKLY
1. Check the oil level and maintain it to the oil level plug. If oil is leaking out, determine location and repair.
2. Check the pressure relief plug in top of the gear housing. Be sure that it is in good operating condition so that hot oil gasses may escape.
3. Lubricate cable with light oil.
B. MONTHLY
1. Lubricate the various grease fittings located in the cable drum, end bearing, clutch housing or clutch operating linkage. Any good grade
of moly-disulfide containing grease is acceptable.
2. Check the action of the sliding clutch, making sure it is fully engaging and disengaging with the cable drum. Remove the plastic plug in
top of the housing and observe if the clutch is fully engaging. If clutch is not fully engaging, inspect clutch shifter assembly parts, check
for damage or excessive wear and replace as necessary. Observe the jaws on both the clutch and cable drum, checking for rounding of
the driving faces. If rounding has occurred they should be replaced immediately.
3. Check the winch mounting bolts. If any are missing, replace them and securely tighten any that are loose. Make sure to use only grade 5
bolts or better.
4. Check the torque setting of the oil cooled worm brake. Make any adjustments required, following the procedure described in ADJUSTING
THE OIL COOLED WORM BRAKE in the Owner's Manual.
5. Check alignment of chain and sprockets and adjust as required to minimize wear.
6. Inspect the cable. If the cable has become frayed with broken strands, replace immediately.
C. ANNUALLY
1. Drain the oil from the winch annually or more often if winch is used frequently.
2. Fill the winch to the oil level plug with clean kerosene. Run the winch a few minutes with no load in the reel in direction. Drain the
kerosene from the winch.
3. Refill the winch to the oil level plug with all purpose E.P. 140 gear oil.
4. Inspect frame and surrounding structure for cracks or deformation.
5. Gear wear can be estimated by rocking the drum back and forth and if necessary drain oil and remove cover for closer inspection.
CABLE INSTALLATION
1. Unwind cable by rolling it out along the ground to prevent kinking. Securely wrap end of cable, opposite hook, with plastic or similar tape
to prevent fraying.
2. Insert the end of cable, opposite hook end, into the 7/16" (11 mm) diameter hole in drum barrel. Secure cable to drum barrel, using
setscrew furnished with winch. TIGHTEN SETSCREW SECURELY.
3. Carefully run winch in the "reel-in" direction. Keeping tension on end of cable, spool all the cable onto the cable drum, taking care to form
neatly wrapped layers.
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