Eaton Winch on Timberjack 230E

[esev]

I've got a early 80's Timberjack 230E cable skidder with the Eaton 20,000 lb winch. My winch started to not pull as much as it used to. I'm guessing the clutches got oil or grease on them, or the discs are worn out. My question is, can I get at those clutch discs without removing winch from the skidder? Looks like I can. If so, do I need to support that end of the drum, and the drum shaft when I take the bearing leg off?
Thanks,
Esev

[dixmont]

The best way is take it off because there are  5 springs between each disc and really the only way to do it is stand winch on end

[Neilo]

It can be done in the machine, although it is more fiddly to put together on your own. I find putting the clutch cylinder together harder than placing the little springs.

You don't have to support the drum, but I loosen the frame bolts on the worm side to help clear the parts sliding off the shaft. Then I put a bar from the arch to the cab and support the drum lightly off that.

I think I have posted before how to put together and adjust clutch travel. 070" I think.

[esev]

   Going by the diagram in my manual (which is hard to see detail in), it looks like the clutch cylinder will come out as one assembly, right? And if the cylinder is leaking, could be the source of my problem, right? I see from the book, those clutch cylinders do look tricky to rebuild. I don't see any signs of oil running out of that area, so hoping not to have to break open that cylinder.
    I'm not opposed to taking the winch out of the tractor, was just hoping to save some time.
thanks, Esev

[Neilo]

The clutch cylinder is spring loaded. When you take the right hand leg off, they spring apart. The tricky bit is holding the cylinder and seals together while you put the thrust bearing and bearing leg back on the shaft.

It could be grease or oil on the linings, or maybe just dirty?

[pwrwagontom]

   Going by the diagram in my manual (which is hard to see detail in), it looks like the clutch cylinder will come out as one assembly, right? And if the cylinder is leaking, could be the source of my problem, right? I see from the book, those clutch cylinders do look tricky to rebuild. I don't see any signs of oil running out of that area, so hoping not to have to break open that cylinder.
    I'm not opposed to taking the winch out of the tractor, was just hoping to save some time.
thanks, Esev

My vote is that you will probably save a bit of time and swearing in the long run if you just take the whole unit out and fix it with better light/hand maneuverability...

I've taken this winch off before and it really wasn't that bad with a decent shop!

-T