Ramsey Winch HD-P8000 914178-0209 - Manual (Page 7)

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. Avoid conditions where load shifts or jerks
occur, as they may indicate a dangerous situation.
The uneven spooling of cable, while pulling the load, is not a problem, unless there is a cable pileup on one end of
the 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 heavy load, place a blanket, jacket, and tarpaulin over the cable about five or six feet behind the hook.
In the event of a broken cable, this will slow the snap back of the cable and could prevent serious injury.
The winch clutch allows rapid unspooling of the cable, from the cable drum, for hooking onto the load. The clutch is
operated by the clutch shifter lever or air shifter.
WARNING: DO NOT DISENGAGE CLUTCH UNDER LOAD!
MANUAL CLUTCH SHIFTER (Refer to dimensional drawing page 14):
TO DISENGAGE CLUTCH: Run the winch in the reverse (reel out) direction until the load is off the cable. Pull handle
out and rotate 90°. With handle in the “DISENGAGED” position, cable may now be free-spooled from the drum.
TO ENGAGE CLUTCH: Pull handle out, rotate 90° and release handle. Run the winch in reverse until the clutch handle
snaps fully into the “ENGAGED” position. DO NOT attempt to pull a load unless the handle is fully at the “ENGAGED”
position. If manual shift indicator light is present, the green light is lit when clutch is fully “ENGAGED”. DO NOT
attempt to pull a load unless the green light is lit. To install light to the vehicle electrical system refer to the Electrical
Schematic on page 15.
AIR CYLINDER CLUTCH SHIFTER (Refer to the dimensional drawing page 15):
TO DISENGAGE CLUTCH: Run the winch in the reverse (reel out) direction until load is off the cable. Apply air pres-
sure to the .125-27 NPT port: 80 PSI (min.)-150 PSI (max.). CAUTION: PRESSURE MUST NOT EXCEED 150 PSI.
TO ENGAGE CLUTCH: Remove air pressure from the cylinder (a return spring engages the plunger). Run winch in
reverse until the clutch engagement indicator light (green light) is lit. To install light to the vehicle electrical system
refer to the Electrical Schematic on page 15.
MAINTENANCE
1. Inspect the cable for damage and lubricate frequently. If the cable becomes frayed with broken strands, replace
immediately. Cable and hook assembly (100’ long cable) P/N 524118 (“Y” drum) or (150’ long cable) P/N
524119 (STD drum) may be purchased from a Ramsey distributor.
2. Check that the clutch is fully engaging. See OPERATION instructions, above, for the appropriate clutch shifter.
FOR MANUAL CLUTCH ONLY: Monthly, disengage clutch, put several drops of oil on the clutch handle shaft and
work clutch handle IN and OUT several times to lubricate inside the shifter assembly.
3. Check to see that the drum cable does not overrun (“birdnest”) when freespooling. Refer to page 3 if it does.
4. Replace drum bushings and seals if seals begin to seep grease. Refer to the Overhaul Instructions, pages 7-12.
Add additional lubricant, Mobilith SHC 007, to gears and drum bearings if required.
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