Anchor winch gearbox VF49

[KAM]

I think a few people have posted about these in the past. Just doing a rebuild. The manufacturer has a spec for the oil but it looks as if it may have had grease. Difficult to tell as there appears to be a mix of oil, grease and seawater. I was wondering if the winch manufacturer may have decided to use grease instead of the oil called up by the gear box manufacturer. Also wondering how much oil and how to fill as there is no filler or dipstick. Can't see anyting in the manual.

 

[Novam]

I have the Bonfiglioli MVF 49 gearbox on my Quick Antares 1000 windlass. It has been very difficult to find the volume of oil to put into the gearbox. I found the manual and even it says to contact the dealer. So I contacted the dealer, and he said .3kg of a fully synthetic gear oil. Why they don’t provide a volume he didn’t know. What did you find for a volume?

 

[KAM]

Sounds about right. The SG is 0.86. So about 0.35 litres. General consensus was half way up the worm gear. I tipped it in through the worm gear cover with the box tilted. It seemed about 0.35. I don't think the amount is critical. Just hauled the anchor in in 3 knots tide against 20 knots wind with the boat facing the wrong way. First time I've used reverse to get the anchor out. Not sure the winch would have handled that before its rebuild

 

[Novam]

What gear oil did you use? Turns out my problem was broken brushes, but it is good to see that the gearbox looked good and to put in new oil. I am distrustful of “ lifetime lubrication” because if a little water or dirt gets in there, there goes your lifetime. A regular oil change is a very good regular inspection.

 

[KAM]

Industrial Gear Oil ISO 320 EP Extreme Pressure various sizes | eBay

I used this oil. Quite thick and felt right. Yes I was surprised there was no filler or dipstick but I suspect these industrial gearboxes are probably designed for quite a long life. Mine had sea water in it and the bearings were on the way out. Should have read the manual about cleaning and greasing the above deck components. Shocked I let it get so bad. Thinking about some of the situations I've been totally reliant on it I'd have been in deep shit if it had failed.