Gearmatic WinchDrum 8A Questions

[Paul Buhler]

I don't have an answer to your question. However, I sent them a copy of the original manual as a .pdf a few years ago, which I made from an original manual that another JDCrawlers member sent me, and never heard back. So I'll go on sharing knowing that I tried to do the right thing regarding their intellectual property.

[RacinJason]

I too, thanked Paul for sending me a copy of the 8A manual. It certainly seems mysterious, as the 8A is quite popular on our beloved crawlers. My cousin in NH still logs w/his 8A equipped 420C, after his father logged well into his late 80's (maybe 90's), and it's still going strong.
I have one on my 420C, but the control mechanism is missing, yet it still engages to wind in, if you pull the cable out. My very uneducated guess is: the winch may not be considered "hydraulic", as it seems to operate mechanically off the PTO, and is only controlled by a hydraulic mechanism. I wonder if Lavoy or another of our JD Guru's can shed some light on this unfortunate situation?

[scottmi]

I inquired to Paccar's winch division about the absence of Model 8 information on their site and was delighted to receive a swift reply, with a helpful attachment of the Model 8A/8G manual in pdf form (same as Paul has shared here). No explanation why they do not post the information on their site (seemed to have everything else) but did offer the following:

"I am attaching what we have for Gearmatic Model 8A.
This winch could be 40 to 50 years old.
Service Parts outside of gaskets and fasteners
May not be available.
Be very hesitant in using a winch this old."

Yes it could very well be that old. If it came new with the tractor, it would be 61 years old. I wonder what year the Model 8A was first sold, and when discontinued?

[scottmi]

...so I asked Paccar Winch sales, and learned:
1/ all the winch factories for PACCAR were combined in OKLA in the mid 80’s
2/ there is no one left from the Gearmatic days.

No ready institutional knowledge left it seems.
I'm sure some call that "progress."

[RacinJason]

Wow, great info, right from the horses mouth. Sure, our winches may be 50 or 60 years old, but many are still doing the job for which they were intended. Maybe the company is afraid of liability issues, but probably just doesn't realize how much interest there still is in these old units. (OK, they probably just don't care!) Maybe now they will look out in the back warehouse and come up with a few parts. I found a brand new 3-point hitch for a JD 318 L&G tractor, this way. It was wrapped in a dusty plastic bag.
Hopefully they will honor more requests for the manual.
While I was typing this, scottmi posted another bit of info.

[pop pop]

could it be that several of the winches are based on the same design? is the 8 series basically the same as the 9 series?

[notmeu]

pop pop, They do look similar, from what I have personally seen the 8A is very similar to the Series 10, I know the mounting holes are the same. I often wondered if any of the parts are interchangeable.

[Paul Buhler]

From what I've seen, the 9 and beyond series tried to improve on the 8 series in some manner recognizing that the later series are stronger. There is a forestry board where many people discuss their series 9 and 19 winches. I've included a random link. Paul

http://www.forestryforum.com/board/inde ... ic=55362.0

[frozendozer]

Can I get a copy of the manual. My email address is fvullings@gmail.com

[Paul Buhler]

FrozenDozer: manual sent. Paul

[RacinJason]

Paul is pretty knowledgeable about these winches! I remember the photos he posted of his 420C restoration. Unfortunately, they seem to have disappeared into the clouds! Back to subject, I had previously written that, even missing parts and a controller, my winch was able to reel in if pulled out manually. WRONG! I recently pulled the cable out and put the PTO in gear, and let out the clutch. It WILL reel in the cable AS LONG AS NO LOAD IS ATTACHED! Sorry for the misinformation I had posted earlier, on this post, I think. Oh well, it make a good attachment point for the logging cage which is welded right on to it. LOL

[Paul Buhler]

Here's a link to many of my pictures that I've posted. I know I find pictures useful. At some point in the past, I sorted my Photo Bucket account and made a mess of the discussion links. I think you may have access to my whole library which has some winch specific pictures too. I hope someone finds a few of them useful. Paul

http://s460.photobucket.com/user/pbuhle ... t=3&page=1

[notmeu]

To add to Paul's photos, I am currently rebuilding my 8a gearmatic winch. If there is any specific photos needed I can take a few. I am down to the bare metal casting and I have begun the 're-assembly process. This wasn't a easy process to tear it completely down, I hope to never have to do it again!!!!!!!

[Paul Buhler]

Notmeu is our new resident expert - he's really tearing his winches apart.

Tom: I'd like to see some pictures of your clutch spider and shaft and hear any thoughts you have on its removal. I've never removed mine, and I think it may be a "next" project so I can get better clutch adjustments. Thanks.
BTW, I sent you a PM earlier. Paul

[gregjo1948]

If I knew how to post pictures, I would post one of the controller that I fabricated. Can anyone explain in, "directions for a dumbass", how to upload pictures to this forum? Thanks, gregjo1948