Lofrans manual windlass; sticking

[pcatterall]

never had a manual windlass and the one on the new boat doesnt seem to work!
The lever fits in the hole ok but will only move in one direction, it will go round and round clicking (on an internal ratchet?) but will not move in the pulling up direction.
Is it bust or is there a cunning trick??!

 

[sarabande]

When you say "not move in the pulling up direction" can we assume that the handle does move to and fro, but the barrel or gypsy of the winch does not turn ?

If so, then have you tightened the clutch down (usually a star shaped handle out to one side), and can you rotate the barrel or gypsy by hand ? (mind your fingers!)


The chances of the shaft being broken are remote but cannot be discounted.

 

[aluijten]

I have one myself and it confused the hell out of me. I've got the model with the rope drum (?) on top. I took it completely apart. This revealed a very simple mechanism that got stuck because of lack of maintenance. Salt and crud doesn't help here.
You can take it apart by removing the screw that sits in the bottom of the central winch handle hole. It has a ratchet buried deep down. After cleaning I found out the central shaft acts as a clutch and the winch handle hole on the side as the 'drive' position for the handle.

Arno

 

[pcatterall]

When you say "not move in the pulling up direction" can we assume that the handle does move to and fro, but the barrel or gypsy of the winch does not turn

It moves, but only in one direction! It will go forward but not pull back on what I assume is the pulling stroke. I Have tried with the clutch on/off etc.

 

[sarabande]

any chance of a pic please ? I can't envisage the physical setup of the lever / pawl / gypsy, etc.

ta.

 

[Wunja]

Wrap the chain around in the opposite direction?

 

[Dave_Seager]

If it is the Lofrans Royal type then it should be double acting. When you move the handle astern then the drums revold in the same direction. When you move the handle forward then the drums should revolve in the opposite direction to the handle.

Inside there is a vertical shaft with two bevel gears, a little like a car's differential. The handle section runs on these gears which then turn another gear in the opposite direction to the handle. The shaft with the gipsies on is connected to both sections by ratchet or freewheel mechanisms so that it always rotates in one direction.

You can find an exploded diagram of the parts at http://www.lofrans.it/esplosi/schemi/B02101.pdf

I think that the most likely reason for yours only working one way would be that one of the ratchets has stuck and will not freewheel. You might find that a little force would release it. They are pretty tough.