Lewis Winch/chainsaw modification questions....

[aquan8tor]

I've got a lewis winch on the way, and I'm already thinking about modifying it:hmm3grin2orange: : They have two ways of running the chainsaw drive chain to it--either plugging in a 7T spline into it, or running their little short bar and a cutterless chain to what seems to be a standard rim sprocket configuration, 7T from their picture.

I have a 7T sprocket on the 394; putting a 9T on the winch should effectively increase the gear ratio, right; more saw revs per turn of the lewis winch chain? I've got some heavy stuff to move, and think this might increase the torque available, even though it will decrease line speed.


Any thoughts on this???

 

[Urbicide]

Hi. I have never used a Lewis Winch, but, going from a 7 pin rim to a 9 pin will speed up the winch at the cost of some torque. Of course you are using a good sized saw to begin with.opcorn:

 

[sawinredneck]

You have the math backwards. A larger sprocket will increase line speed and lower tourqe. A smaller sproket will lower line speed and increase tourqe.
So to do what you want, you need a 6 or a 5 pin sprocket, or run as is and be happy
Andy

 

[aquan8tor]

No, no no. I want to keep the same size sprocket on my saw, but increase the size of the sprocket on the lewis winch. Same number of links moving at same rate through saw sprocket, but more links on the sprocket on the winch gear itself--takes more turns of the saw sprocket to make the winch sprocket turn.

 

[aquan8tor]

I even thought of maybe putting like a 12T sprocket on it, if there is enough slack in the chain, or get a larger chain.

 

[sawinredneck]

Sorry, my bad, that WILL work!!! :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[aquan8tor]

I'm hoping to convince a neighbor landowner to let me mill up a HUGE oak. 10 foot section would be over 4000lbs.

 

[Urbicide]

No, no no. I want to keep the same size sprocket on my saw, but increase the size of the sprocket on the lewis winch. Same number of links moving at same rate through saw sprocket, but more links on the sprocket on the winch gear itself--takes more turns of the saw sprocket to make the winch sprocket turn.

See, I told you I have never used a Lewis Winch. (Does a Lewis wench count?)

 

[aquan8tor]

anybody got any 10-12T sprockets laying around?

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

anybody got any 10-12T sprockets laying around?

Madsen's sells the big sprockets, if they are the same as what a saw uses.
You do have to consider the load ratig of the winch. You shouldn't surpass the load rating or you'll just bust it up.
What you can do if you need more pull is to set up a 2 to 1 mechanical advantage by using a pulley.

 

[aquan8tor]

I definitely have considered the load rating. I've got a couple snatch blocks too. Thanks for the concern though. Definitely could do some damage easily.

 

[ASEMASTER]

I'd definatley leave the winch alone and use it to pull the block and tackle it maybbe slower but it will be safe. by not tweeking the winch.

 

[smithie55]

You are going to run into several things:
1) you will slow down the spooling speed to a crawl, which will slow down your entire operation.
2) the cable that is on the Lewis winch very likely won't fair well with the increased torque as well as you are increasing stress on the internals of the winch. (could even void any warranty)
They operate very well just the way they come from the factory.
Motor size is the real concern.
You will love that winch, they are very impressive for there size.

 

[aquan8tor]

I appreciate the concern. I haven't actually used it yet. Its a used one, so warranty is a moot point. I'm using a modded 394XP, so I'll have a lot of pulling force. I'm not trying to overrate the cable---under the 4900lbs tensile strength or something like that. Just thought it might help torque. I just like fooling around with things. They say 60ft/min pulling speed, so I'm not too worried about slowing down the speed. even if it were 30 ft/min, that'd be o.k. I was more worried about slipping the clutch on the saw at extremely high loads. Anybody ever used it to move 4000lbs up a hill???

 

[smithie55]

Sorry,
Wasn't trying to preach at you as if you didn't know anything.
They are an awesome winch.
The only trouble with them is that when you haul back sometimes the cable will wrap over itself and crush the cable windings.
I used the winch to pull this log on the flat using a double pull.
It was 22' long X 30" I didn't have anyone to take a picture while
I was yarding it around.

Don't forget to post some pics when you start using it.

 

[aquan8tor]

Sorry,
Wasn't trying to preach at you as if you didn't know anything.
They are an awesome winch.
The only trouble with them is that when you haul back sometimes the cable will wrap over itself and crush the cable windings.
I used the winch to pull this log on the flat using a double pull.
It was 22' long X 30" I didn't have anyone to take a picture while
I was yarding it around.
Don't forget to post some pics when you start using it.

That's a nice log, and I'm certain close to or more than 4000 lbs. No worries; you didn't sound like you were preaching. The owners manual states that the owner assumes all risk when using saws above 7HP, so I figured that it was pretty dangerous.

Have you ever used a block of wood as a "fulcrum point"--that's not exactly what I mean, but where I need to pull the logs is up a relatively steep hill, next to a road. There is absolutely no place to anchor the winch without the cable digging into the edge of the bank. I have to anchor the winch on the other side of the road, so the cable would try to pull into the ground at the edge of the dropoff on the side of the road. I was thinking about putting something down to keep the cable from digging into the dirt. I hadn't considered the crushing of the fibers. There's no way for me to attatch a roller device there. a piece of locust wood could keep it from digging into the dirt, which I'd be more worried about causing longterm damage to the cable windings, I think. Thoughts?

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I drag a lot of stuff with my winch. I almost always hang a pulley up in a tree so I get some lift as the winch pulls. A throw-ball and some Zing-it makes it real easy to get a strong rope up over a limb, tie a pulley to one end of the rope and attach the cable, then pull it up to the desired height and tie the other end to hold it up.

 

[aquan8tor]

that would work if there were any other trees...... nothing anywhere close to the logs I need to move.

 

[Adkpk]

Sorry,
Wasn't trying to preach at you as if you didn't know anything.
They are an awesome winch.
The only trouble with them is that when you haul back sometimes the cable will wrap over itself and crush the cable windings.
I used the winch to pull this log on the flat using a double pull.
It was 22' long X 30" I didn't have anyone to take a picture while
I was yarding it around.

Don't forget to post some pics when you start using it.

Still cutting that same log, hey, smithie?:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Adkpk]

I have pulled an oak log uphill. It's still there. Burnt my clutch and needed to replace the roller bearings. I was anchored to a 35" dph oak stump. I used an oak log to keep the cable from digging into the ground. The saw took the beating. The Lewis will pull anything up to the strength of the cable. I think it's 5/8th. The saw will take a beating before the winch quits.

Now, I think you can do it, I didn't have a snatch block. And I quit as soon as I smelt the clutch. Didn't help that my brother nodded on telling me the log hung up, I couldn't see over the hump. We could have got it up but at what cost. ( he got left there too. )

Now, you don't have a dead man, what? How do plan to pull that weight without anchoring to a tractor trailer? I have tried to pull 1 ton boulders with come alones using a 6' pry bar sledged into the ground. The weigh bent the bar until I lost my hold.