drum switches

deadeye · March 28, 2006, 07:57:54 PM

want to know if anyone has an alternate for the wm drum switchs. my up down on my 96 lt40 hyd last about 350 to 500 hrs is this good . my price is around 110 canadian for a new one

Bibbyman · March 28, 2006, 08:23:48 PM

On some model WM mills the drum switches need to be cleaned and greased every 50 hours or so. There should be a little tub of contact grease in the control box. Some more life can be got out of one that's about had it by springing some of the contacts so they make better contact. If I remember right, we got about 750-1000 hours out of the switches on our old LT40.

Our new LT40 Super has what looks to be the same drum switches but they just run a low amperage to turn on a solenoid switch. They've lasted 2500 hours so far. But then again, a solenoid don't last for ever and they are expensive too.

Tom · March 28, 2006, 08:56:31 PM

If it's just the contacts wearing and not a mechanical thing, then I've rebuilt them by renewing the contacts with silver solder. They aren't difficult to take apart and reassemble. Springs are available from hardware stores. If you have an old one, take it apart. I think you will be amazed at how simple they are.

Dana · March 29, 2006, 06:02:58 AM

Grainger sells them, I don't know if they are cheaper there or not.

jpgreen · March 29, 2006, 12:56:12 PM

That is down right clever of you Tom... 8)

Could saved some cash on the new ones I bought.. :

Slabs · March 29, 2006, 09:04:57 PM

The 350 - 500 hours on a switch sounds a bit low to me. Don't know what power motor the 96' has but that could influence the wear/burn rate on the contacts. (it is the contacts isn't it?)

Like Tom, I've had some success building up the contacts with silver solder. It's no great chore if you are fair at soldering.

I would also like to locate a solid-state "contactor" to reduce the load on the switch. Don't know if the Warn contactor made for small winches and sold by northern toolhttps://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=position"> Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company is solid state or not. Sparks has said that some sawers have added solenoids to take the load of the motor and that works well but it takes four of them. A good, well-protected MOSFET device would be much better and probably less costly.

Anybody know of one???

wiam · March 29, 2006, 10:25:18 PM

I have 4 Ford style solenoids for up/down on my homemade. Cost me about $50 for them. My local starter shop tells me I should have bought 2 of a different type that would have done the same thing, but would be continuois rated. The others are intermittent rated. The 2 would cost about the same total costas the 4. He told me this right after I had the 4 mounted. :

Will