KT2Q wrote:
>Re-examined the Fulton K1550 winch today and it seems to function fine.
>I thought there was enough play on the winch crank shaft (due to a
>cracked bushing) to slip the sprocket out of alignment with the pawl.
>
>But after comparing it to the same 1550 winch on my raising fixture,
>they both appear to have the same play; not enough to slip the sprocket
>past the pawl, but they shaft does move.
>
>I spoke with U.S. Tower and Fulton as well as a few reflectee's and the
>concensus was that the slip was due to ice build-up on the winch
>sprocket. My best guess is that the exposed sprocket teeth were loaded
>with ice and didn't allow the pawl to re-engage after the first click.
>
>I'm not absolutely sure what caused it, but I think it's good advice to
>visually check the winch pawl and sprocket for ice or debris before you
>crank it. The usual pulley / cable inspection goes without saying.
Another thing that "goes without saying" is not to grease the pawl
sprocket on the K1550, or even anywhere close. The friction discs press
on both sides of that sprocket, and there's too much risk of grease
getting in there. The pawl will get along fine without grease.
The discs on my 1550s are open to the wind and rain, and dampness
between the discs seems to be a major cause of juddering and squeaking
when lowering the tower. But it doesn't lead to freewheeling, and the
heat of friction soon dries it out.
--
73 from Ian GM3SEK
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