Fixed winch handle

siencyn

siencyn

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Does anyone know how to remove the fixed winch handles from my Barlow 23 winches that desperately need servicing please? The handles are permanantly fixed to the winch. There is a small brass rod protruding from the top of the winch through the pivot of the handle. I just can't see how to remove the handle so I can get at the winch, which I gather, has an allan screw inside the socket that the handle sits in. There must be some sort of release mechanism but I'm bu**ered if I can work it out. I have asked this before the sailing season with no clear answer. I have service these winches this winter as they sound like a steel bag of loose ball bearings.
Thanks
 
My first reaction to this question might be a bit insulting (I apologise) was that you have got a normal locking winch handle stuck in the top of a normal winch.

It sounds from you description that the winch handle is in the top of the winch and I have never seen a fixed handle in the top of a winch. Always underneath.

So just in case I am right. Locking winch handles have a square piece on a shaft up through the spline drive of the handle to a little lever which is pushed to one side to rotate the square against a spring to align the square with the main spline so it can be lifted out.

The last time I bought a winch handle it had the lock which I don't like. I think there was a little roll pin through the unlock lever which was puched out and the shaft and square plate fell out.

So if your handle has a little lever directly above the centre of the winch. Try moving it one way or the other. If it is stuck then destructive force with a chisel or similar will take off the lever. This will allow the handle with spline drive to be removed leaving the little locking square plate in the winch spline socket. That should then come out easily with a slight turn.
(or conceivably the whole spline drive has corroded into the winch socket in which case use a carefully calibrated bashometer to jar it loose. (To boaties that means hit it as hard as you can in every direction until it loosens)

If indeed it is a fixed handle in the top then I can only suggest destructive removal. Then hopefully you can get a new winch top for removable handles.

You can't have effective operation with top fixed handle as the rope has to be wound around the winch which would be awkward with the handle in place. good luck (and apologies) olewill
 
just a thought

Is the winch fixed down?

If not perhaps you can remove the winch - is the handle fixed from the underside in some way?

Just a thought...........
 
It sounds like I have the same problem as you. I left one of the cheep compass handles in the winch for a few weeks , when I went to remove it the plastic lug broke off leaving the metal pin sticking out of the top. Mole grips etc now wont turn it . This winter it will be out withe the disc cutter and big hammer. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Thanks Guys< Hope you get this reply? It's definitly not a normal winch handle. Both main winches are the same. I guess its gonna be a matter of brute forece but I am concerned about doing irreperable damage. I am going to ask again when I manage to find out how to upload a photo of said winches. Thanks again

Rich
 
I have Barlow 23's... without fixed handles. does the top cap have two small holes in it? If so that means they undo with a pin spanner. The cap doesn't go in very far, and so it may be possible to undo the whole lot, dismantle and get inside to release...
 
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