problems with winch on JD 420c

[northwoodsguide]

Just bought a nice 420 c. Owner said there was problem with winch (gearmatic 8a) but did not know specifics. I put oil in the winch and filled the control with brake fluid. When I shift the pto into gear, the winch retracts but I cannot get it to switch into brake or free spool. The only way to stop the winch from retracting is to shift the pto out of gear. The control lever (gearmatic X710)will only move to one position, and sometimes not that. I am assuming that there is something wrong with the control but don't have any experience with repairing winches. I have a manual that came with the winch but it is little more than a parts blow-up. Does that seem like a reasonable place to start, or is this sort of problem more likely to reside in the winch? Does anyone know where one could buy a kit to rebuild the controller?

[Lavoy]

Clutch slave cylinder may be stuck, clutch bands stuck, or some other problem. You are going to need to pull the side plate to find out.
I have cylinder and master control unit kits available along with some other parts.
Lavoy

[northwoodsguide]

Can I just unbolt the side plate or is there some sort of process for removing them. Looks like it is only a question of removing a few bolts and not dropping the plate on your foot but I always worry that a dozen or so tiny spring loaded parts will start flying around when I start the dissemble. Do you have a kit for this controller?

[Lavoy]

Side plate is pretty easy. Take out all of the perimeter bolts, then there are two threaded holes to jack the plate off of the side of the winch. You will need to disconnect the clutch slave line first.
Yes, I have kits for the controller as well as the slave cylinders.
Lavoy

[Paul Buhler]

Hi: Search "gearmatic winch" on this site. a few of us have posted pictures as we worked through getting ours working. Be careful removing the side cover, it's cast iron and can break if too much leverage is used. It fits pretty tightly around the spool bearing. I used a bungie cord hooked into the bung hole so that it wouldn't drop and break once free. send me an email, and I can send you a winch repair manual if you'd like. Paul
pbuhler@vermontel.net