gearmatic winch roller fairlead build

Show us pictures of your JD crawler and attachments.
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notmeu
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 373
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:23 pm
Location: Western PA

Post by notmeu » Sun Dec 13, 2015 7:09 pm

I hope it works, the only logging I have done so far with the crawler is a chain hooked to the drawbar. Which worked fine until the fender got too slippy with snow and I went for another ride off of the side. Funny I did this twice, I guess I didn't learn the first time!
1956 JD420, gearmatic 8a winch, custom 6 way blade and FOPS.

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notmeu
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 373
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:23 pm
Location: Western PA

Post by notmeu » Mon Jan 11, 2016 7:32 pm

Well after months of learning alot about a gearmatic 8a winch, I finally got everything working correctly and I must say these winches are amazingly strong! It spools out easily, surprisingly without having any birds nests, and the brake is really strong, and the clutch grabs with little movement on the controller. I was afraid of damaging the brake band while dragging logs when driving forward, so I had left the drawbar attached but I don't know if the drawbar is necessary any more. The added fairleads really aid in saving the metal casting and also the winch cable. It really is critical to have the winch winching in nice and straight, but it nice to know the fairleads will protect the casting if something goes wrong, which there always seems to be something that moves when winching logs. Time will tell how they hold up but so far so good!
1956 JD420, gearmatic 8a winch, custom 6 way blade and FOPS.

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Paul Buhler
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Location: Killington, VT

Post by Paul Buhler » Tue Jan 12, 2016 1:36 am

Congrats on getting your winch up and running the way it should- I really admire your fairleads. You're now officially the go - to guy on 8a winches.
BTW, what clutch gap did you finally settle on?
Best wishes. Paul
Paul Buhler
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch

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notmeu
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 373
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:23 pm
Location: Western PA

Post by notmeu » Tue Jan 12, 2016 11:27 am

Hello Paul, I ended up setting the clutch bands at a maximum of .014. My bands were a little out of round to begin with, but its working great as is. The epoxy so far has been holding up very well also! Send me a PM if your still interested!
1956 JD420, gearmatic 8a winch, custom 6 way blade and FOPS.

vtjoe
430 crawler
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Location: south east vermont

your project

Post by vtjoe » Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:32 am

nice post and pics but I personally would like to see pics of your ROPS enclosure while you are at it. I need some inspiration!
1957 420C four roll since 1982

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notmeu
1010 crawler
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Posts: 373
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:23 pm
Location: Western PA

Re: your project

Post by notmeu » Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:54 am

vtjoe wrote:nice post and pics but I personally would like to see pics of your ROPS enclosure while you are at it. I need some inspiration!
No problem vtjoe, ill get some photos since we finally got enough snow to run the tractor/snow blower so ill take some photos while in the barn and put them on a Photobucket library for you.
1956 JD420, gearmatic 8a winch, custom 6 way blade and FOPS.

User avatar
notmeu
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 373
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:23 pm
Location: Western PA

Re: your project

Post by notmeu » Thu Jan 14, 2016 5:19 pm

Here you go vtjoe, I think it will work.....

http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/terra ... eshow/FOPS


Also a completed photo of the roller fairleads.



Image
1956 JD420, gearmatic 8a winch, custom 6 way blade and FOPS.

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