Logging winch clutch sometimes sticks

[Hoobie]

I have a wallenstein fx85 winch I have been using for about 10 years. Has been trouble free except once for a stupid mistake I made myself.
Recently it developed an issue occasionally. On a hard pull when it maxes out, stops pulling, the clutch sometimes won't release when I release the white pull cord. I immediately switch off the pto and immediately the clutch releases. This is the only time it happens. Most of the time everything works fine. This is not a jammed cable thing. The winch clutch is stuck engaged. The white cord won't retract, the clutch engage arm won't retract and the cable drum stops turning . Pto is still turning .
Only happens when i max out on a pull.
Any ideas?

 

[CalG]

If your rig is fitted as shown in this parts breakout...

Wallenstein Equipment

All Wallenstein products are backed with a 5-year Warranty

www.wallensteinequipment.com

The three balls run on ramps in the clutch box.

Likely the ramps have a flat worn in, or the balls do.

Tear it down and fix the troubles, or add a second trip line to give a helper to the return spring (not the safe way).

 

[Hoobie]

If your rig is fitted as shown in this parts breakout...

Wallenstein Equipment

All Wallenstein products are backed with a 5-year Warranty

www.wallensteinequipment.com

The three balls run on ramps in the clutch box.

Likely the ramps have a flat worn in, or the balls do.

Tear it down and fix the troubles, or add a second trip line to give a helper to the return spring (not the safe way).

Thanks. I did wonder about the balls or ramps. I suppose the worn spots would logically be at the highest pressure points which would be when I pull at maximum. Don't understand why shutting pto off releases it though.
I will add a second trip line to test it next time.
Good suggestion.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Hoob, are you saying it only happens when the clutch is slipping and if you have no load on the cable, so the clutch won't slip, and you pull the rope as hard as you can it will release like it should ???

gg

 

[Sawyer Rob]

First GUESS is, the clutch plate is worn enough so something is going over center when you pull the rope, and sticking.

I'd see if adjusting the clutch will stop the over center from happening and taking care of the problem.

Remember, this is a guess!

SR

 

[Hoobie]

Hoob, are you saying it only happens when the clutch is slipping and if you have no load on the cable, so the clutch won't slip, and you pull the rope as hard as you can it will release like it should ???

gg

Thanks Gordon. Kind of hard to explain but here goes.
On a normal pull the log is wound in easily with the rope/winch clutch engaged. Occasionally the log will get hung up on an obstacle like a root or something. I am sure it happens to everyone from time to time. When this happens the drum stops turning as the clutch is slipping. I then briefly pull the clutch cord harder and often this is enough to break the log free and all is well. If the log is still stuck I release the cord immediately and go back to deal with the obstacle.
But what is happening now is when a log is stuck and I give the extra harder pull on the cord, if the log doesn't break free and I release the cord the clutch stays engaged and is spinning but the drum isn't turning. Neither the cord or clutch engagement arm will release. And the cable is singing tight trying to pull a load it can't. So I quickly shut off the PTO and immediately the clutch releases and the cable relaxes.
This only happens when I occasionally encounter a log that gets hung up and I can't pull. Most of the time all is normal.
This winch is 8 years or so old. And I have never abused the clutch.

 

[Hoobie]

First GUESS is, the clutch plate is worn enough so something is going over center when you pull the rope, and sticking.

I'd see if adjusting the clutch will stop the over center from happening and taking care of the problem.

Remember, this is a guess!

SR

Thanks Sawyer. I did adjust the clutch and nothing changed. And it seemed it wasn't out of adjustment anyway.
Hard to believe the clutch would be worn much with the amount of time on it and the work I do.
I think you have the same one I have? Wallenstein FX85?

 

[Gordon Gould]

Thanks Gordon. Kind of hard to explain but here goes.
On a normal pull the log is wound in easily with the rope/winch clutch engaged. Occasionally the log will get hung up on an obstacle like a root or something. I am sure it happens to everyone from time to time. When this happens the drum stops turning as the clutch is slipping. I then briefly pull the clutch cord harder and often this is enough to break the log free and all is well. If the log is still stuck I release the cord immediately and go back to deal with the obstacle.
But what is happening now is when a log is stuck and I give the extra harder pull on the cord, if the log doesn't break free and I release the cord the clutch stays engaged and is spinning but the drum isn't turning. Neither the cord or clutch engagement arm will release. And the cable is singing tight trying to pull a load it can't. So I quickly shut off the PTO and immediately the clutch releases and the cable relaxes.
This only happens when I occasionally encounter a log that gets hung up and I can't pull. Most of the time all is normal.
This winch is 8 years or so old. And I have never abused the clutch.

OK good - I understand that. What happens if you pull out some cable, Say 50', and just lay it on the ground. Then engage the pto. Grap the winch rope and pull on it very hard like you do for a jammed log. After the very hard pull on the rope release it. Does the clutch release and cable stop or does the clutch stick and you have to disengage the pto ??

Another question - with the tractor off do you ever pull on the winch rope so that ball/ramp pieces in the clutch control rotate and spread the two discs apart that drive the drum against the clutch face. And then with them still spread squirt some DW40 type stuff in there and blow it out, repeat a couple times, too clean out the gunk that hardens in there. Easy to do - try it first.

gg

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My winch is a FX90.

SR

 

[Hoobie]

OK good - I understand that. What happens if you pull out some cable, Say 50', and just lay it on the ground. Then engage the pto. Grap the winch rope and pull on it very hard like you do for a jammed log. After the very hard pull on the rope release it. Does the clutch release and cable stop or does the clutch stick and you have to disengage the pto ??

Another question - with the tractor off do you ever pull on the winch rope so that ball/ramp pieces in the clutch control rotate and spread the two discs apart that drive the drum against the clutch face. And then with them still spread squirt some DW40 type stuff in there and blow it out, repeat a couple times, too clean out the gunk that hardens in there. Easy to do - try it first.

gg

Now that I haven't tried. I will be working with it this weekend. Will let you know.

Hoobie