Winch cover?

[mageew]

I found a You Tube video of a guy doing a cold start on his Power Wagon and noticed that he seemed to have a canvas(?) winch cable cover. It seemed to just cover the cable but not the whole spool. Has anyone seen anything like this? I was thinking of having something like this made for my winch when I get it all put back together to protect it from the rain. Maybe something like an oiled or waxed canvas? Here's the link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9Z3B...eature=related

You catch a glimpse of the winch in the very beginning of the video. Same guy has a video using his PW to disc a field and hooked up to a buzz saw. My wife came in the room while I was watching this video & asked me if I was "looking at more Power Wagon porn"...

[Desoto61]

I've seen pictures on a bunch of different trucks. My truck had a heavy piece of rubber bolted to the bottom of the grill that draped over the spool that essentially served the same purpose.

[IP66Pro]

NEW MU-2 & MU
Winch Cable Cover
Fits vehicle types: A,B,C,D
Part #19:WCCMU $25

http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/pdf/parts/19winch.pdf

second page, right side.

[Charles Talbert]

If your truck sits out in the weather; you will find the cover will be the cause of more cable corrosion than if it sits uncovered. Water will get under the canvas and remain trapped causing it to rust more readily than if it is open where the water can drain out and dry off quickly. Any type cable other than stainless steel will rust to some degree if it isn't kept clean and thoroughly oiled, and I do mean thoroughly. The cover was to keep so much dust and debris from being drawn and adhereing to a properly oiled cable. Dust will still find its way to the oil soaked cable anyway though. It's kind of a common sense thing I guess, if your particular application calls for a cover, use it, if not forego it.

I've seen several owners that used the cover thinking that meant all other maintenance such as cleaning and oiling the cable was not necessary because it was covered; these were some of the worst corroded cables I've seen. If you use the cover on a truck that sits outside, it will require even more maintenace as a general rule.

[Clint Dixon]

This is a cover that the original owner of my truck sewed out of heavy canvas. I first saw this in 1976 and it is still serving its purpose today. It wraps over the sides of the drum and completely around the front and rear winch angles. Kind of nice in that it completely covers the leader chain too. The truck is not stored outside but the cover keeps the cable dry during heavy rain when I have it out and about.

[Jerry Henry]

Will. As you know I have a winch on almost every truck I own. I have used a piece of canvas on some and some are left open. I have seen no difference in the life of the cable, with or without the cover. I do oil my cable frequently. Probably the worst thing for a winch and it's cable is not to use it. If you want a piece of canvas for your winch, I have some to spare. Jerry

[mageew]

Thanks everyone

Thanks for the feedback - funny, I thought I had already memorized the VPW catalog!

Makes sense that regular oiling is key regardless - I was just thinking in terms of dressing up the winch a bit but wanted to use something original.

My sewing skills aren't much better than my welding so I may just spring for the $25 cover at VPW.

Thanks everyone!

[Gordon Maney]

What are we using for oil in this oiling process? A specific cable lube?

[Jerry Henry]

Others are probably more technical than me, but I use used drain oil, or any other oil that is handy. I have hadx the same length of cable on one of my trucks, used to drag firewood out of the woods, for 20 years or more.

[Charles Talbert]

What are we using for oil in this oiling process? A specific cable lube?

There are some lubes specifically for wire rope, I can give you some brands and trade names, but would have to look it up, memory not what it used to be. These are mainly designed for cable that is running over sheaves, such as crane applications, etc. On a single drum winch like our truck applications, used engine oil, gear oil, etc is fine, especially where the cable will contact the ground and require frequent cleaning and re-oiling to maintain it properly.

[Jerry Henry]

That was exactly my point. Those specific lubes, short of having a desire to spend an unnecessary amount of money, would be wasted on the cable on most winches owned by people today. If a person was using the winch for recovery of lost hikers 200' down a rock face or a cargo of great value, then the fancy specific lubes would be justified. On that note, I once retrieved a Chevy 2 wheel drive pickup that had gone over a steep, snow covered bank, coming to a rest against a group of trees shortly before plunging into an icy lake. The driver was so scared that he would not get out of the truck. He sat, hands glued to the steering wheel and right foot jammed to the floor on the brake pedal, until I got him up to the road.

[Charles Talbert]

That was exactly my point. Those specific lubes, short of having a desire to spend an unnecessary amount of money, would be wasted on the cable on most winches owned by people today. If a person was using the winch for recovery of lost hikers 200' down a rock face or a cargo of great value, then the fancy specific lubes would be justified. On that note, I once retrieved a Chevy 2 wheel drive pickup that had gone over a steep, snow covered bank, coming to a rest against a group of trees shortly before plunging into an icy lake. The driver was so scared that he would not get out of the truck. He sat, hands glued to the steering wheel and right foot jammed to the floor on the brake pedal, until I got him up to the road.

Don't get me wrong as I'm a definite sticker for the BEST lubricants. However, anywhere a lube type that will attract dirt is used is also a huge factor, cleanliness is next to Godliness. On a drag line that is running in a repetative motion for hours every day; the best lube pays off big in lessoned rope and sheave wear. I know that for a fact from my background of years of operating construction equipment. A winch line if used typically will be dragged through the dirt etc; will require frequent cleaning and re-oiling if it is to last. Cleaning is the key, oiling is secondary to that. In light of this, a much lesser quality oil may make better sense for more than one reason.

If a winch line is rolled onto the drum and never used to get it dirty, then I can see the very best lube being applied, as cable will deteriorate even if it is never rolled off its drum. A premium lube works miracles, in that case I'd highly recommend using the best.