Bad timing for a winch failure

kelLOGg · November 28, 2020, 08:29:17 PM

Today I was loading a 19" dia and 8' long RO log on the mill to diagonally cut live edge ovals for a customer. I was raising one end of the log about 42 inches (measured from the top of the log) and the winch began to struggle the last few inches of travel. Odd, because the heaviest lift demand is at the beginning of the lift and the log weighed only 1000 lbs so lifting one end requires half of that - not much for a 2500 lb pull Superwinch. So, there I was with one end well up into the air and all that would happen is the click of the solenoids when I would hit up or down on the controller. Scary! I checked connections, changed batteries and tried a direct battery connection to the winch - no dice. Winch must be toast. The most urgent matter was to get the log safely down to the mill. With a series of jack and block maneuvers I was able to lay the log down on the mill but it took about an hour - an hour of carefully assessing the safest way and being super alert. I will check the winch again tomorrow but I am sure to be in the market for another one. Any suggestions for a replacement? I have been very pleased with Superwinch but they no longer exist. Pics follow.

Southside · November 28, 2020, 08:49:41 PM

Can't say I have ever had anything break when it was a convenient time, so par for the course. When I saw the second photo I thought that was a bottle jack for 1/2 second and wanted to know "where on earth you go that". :D

jcbrotz · November 29, 2020, 04:39:44 AM

Quote from: Southside on November 28, 2020, 08:49:41 PM
Can't say I have ever had anything break when it was a convenient time, so par for the course. When I saw the second photo I thought that was a bottle jack for 1/2 second and wanted to know "where on earth you go that". :D

I thought the same.

terrifictimbersllc · November 29, 2020, 05:30:09 AM

I still do :'( what is it?

kelLOGg · November 29, 2020, 05:35:30 AM

It is a bottle jack. It is about 18" tall, retracted and extends about another 18. The pic just doesn't show the lower part which rests on the ground.

goose63 · November 29, 2020, 07:25:35 AM

Ihave a Badlands 12.000 from harber fright on my log trailer its held good so far

kelLOGg · November 29, 2020, 12:07:27 PM

I found the problem with the winch: 2 broken wires to 2 of the brushes. I'm checking out sources. Anyone have a favorite source?

terrifictimbersllc · November 29, 2020, 01:48:25 PM

Any source for superwinch replacement parts?

Walnut Beast · November 29, 2020, 03:05:08 PM

Call SuperWinch support directly

mike_belben · November 30, 2020, 07:55:31 AM

Torin big red sells those extra long jacks.

If superwinch parts are NLA you can probably get brushes thatll work from a starter/alt shop. Carbon brushes can be fitted down very easily by file or belt sander.

kelLOGg · November 30, 2020, 12:30:58 PM

They are NLA according to eTrailer who used to sell them. I found a winch motor end cap (complete with brushes) for a snow plow on EBAY that looks identical to what I need but the seller has not responded to me with the dimensions so I can't be sure it will fit. I am on the verge of buying a new winch to replace my almost 15 year old one.

Thanks for the suggestion about modifying one but I doubt I will go that route ....yet.

dudders · November 30, 2020, 01:06:22 PM

Your local motor electrical engineer should be able to fix it for you. Complete refurbishments are possible, so this should be no trouble. Seems a shame to chuck a powerful winch for the sake of a couple of bust wires...

kelLOGg · November 30, 2020, 05:28:06 PM

I agree. Even if I decide to buy new I won't chuck the old one. I will still try to repair or replace brush assembly and then sell. I haven't bought yet but I'm ready to get back to sawing so somethings gotta give.

kelLOGg · December 05, 2020, 05:38:46 PM

Well, I bought the Ebay version even though I didn't know its dimensions. I was lucky - it was the proper replacement. Nice to keep the old winch since so little was wrong with it. I'm back to sawing now. 8)

samandothers · December 05, 2020, 11:51:02 PM

Good for you and your persistence!

Glad the saw dust is flying again.

puffie40 · December 06, 2020, 12:38:30 AM

I would recommend you get yourself a chain hoist as well. Having a manual hoist available as a backup would help with the safety the next time this happens.

kelLOGg · December 06, 2020, 08:18:58 AM

Thanks for all the comments.

1) I contacted Superwinch to ask if the snow plow version offered on Ebay would fit my winch but they never responded.
2) I went to a local motor repair shop I have used before but they only sell new products now - no repairs.
3) A chain hoist is a great idea if the cross beams (utility poles) can bear the load. It would be a difficult chore to slip a stout beam under the roof to rest it on the poles. I'll consider this for future use.

Anyway.. I got my winch working for about $45 incl shipping.