Ramsey Winch H-800 DOW-LOK (JERR-DAN) - Manual (Page 4)

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.
The Dow-Lok® clutch provides free spool-
ing and clutch engagement with the cable
drum. With the clutch disengaged, the cable
can be freespooled off the drum. For winch-
ing in the load the clutch must be fully
engaged with the drum.
TO ENGAGE CLUTCH
There must be a minimum of 1 foot of slack
in the cable before attempting to engage the
clutch. This will allow the drum to rotate a
minimum of 1/4 turn allowing engagement
of the clutch before picking up the load.
With this slack in the cable, exhaust air pres-
sure from the air shift cylinder and then run
the winch in the "in" direction until the clutch
springs into engagement and the drum
starts to turn. Clutch must be fully
engaged before starting the winching
operation.
TO DISENGAGE CLUTCH
Run winch in the "out" direction until there is
no load on the cable. Apply 70-90 psi to the
air shift cylinder to disengage the clutch. Do
not disengage the clutch under load.
WINCH MAINTENANCE
Adhering to the following maintenance
schedule will keep your winch in top condi-
tion and performing as it should with a mini-
mum of repair.
A. WEEKLY
Check the oil level and maintain it to the oil
level plug. If oil is leaking out, determine
location and repair.
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.
Lubricate cable with light oil.
B. MONTHLY
Lubricate the various grease fittings located
in the ends of cable drum shaft, end bearing,
clutch housing or clutch operating linkage.
Any good grade of moly-disulfide containing
grease is acceptable.
Check the action of the locking ring, making
sure it is spring loaded and free to move
fully against the cable drum in the engaged
position and that it is pulled fully away from
the cable drum and latched when disen-
gaged.
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.
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.
Inspect the cable. If the cable has become
frayed with broken strands, replace immedi-
ately.
C. ANNUALLY
Drain the oil from the winch annually or
more often if winch is used frequently. 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.