Jammed winch cable

[fruitcakesa]

I went to replace the winch cable on my Norse 450 and discovered the old cable is deeply buried in the lower wraps
and when I tried using the tractor to pull it free, it just about stood the tractor up on the rear wheels. So it is truly buried/jammed on the drum.
I have both winch covers off and can see the mess but can't get any type of tool in there to try and free it as there is too much in the way.
Anyone have an idea of a game plan to get it off; remove the drum?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Cut off wheel in a side grinder... Cut your way in until you get it all out.

SR

 

[RickB]

Or a torch. Which has the advantage of "welding" the cut strands together making the pieces much easier to handle.

 

[two_bit_score]

Have you sprayed anything like WD40 on it and let it set for a while to see if it would loosen up?

 

[Bearsixty7]

I went to replace the winch cable on my Norse 450.. when I tried using the tractor to pull it free, it just about stood the tractor up on the rear wheels. So it is truly buried/jammed on the drum.

You did put the winch in "free wheel" or "Free spool" mode when you tried to pull it out with the tractor, right? I can't believe it's that tight.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I got it out.
I removed the vertical strut that was blocking the side of the spool and had enough room to pound, pry and lever on the "looped over" cable until there was slack that enabled the trapped kinked cable to slide out.
Then I was able to unspool the rest of the cable with a bit of a fiddle to get the kink through the rear pulley.
New cable went on smoothly and I am heading back to the woodlot.