Lofrans windlass

[olavs]

Friends
I have electrical contact problems inside the motor of my Lofrans Leopard windlass and need to get it out of the boat. I have tried to remove the motor from the "gearbox" and also the gearbox from the main body without any luck. After removing the three unbraco bolts which fix the motor to the gearbox, I'm able to turn the motor sideways bot not to withdraw it from the gearbox.
After removing the four or five unbraco bolts that fix the gearbox to the main body it also sticks solid there. I have given the main vertical shaft a few soft blows from above the deck but it doesn't help move the parts below deck.

Does anyone have a few tips to offer?

Thanks

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[snowleopard]

this problem was posted around 2 months ago but no solution came up. now i have the same trouble. i have sent a PM to the original poster to see if he has found a solution.

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[olavs]

I would be very happy if you would be so kind to inform me if some useful information turns up, just reply to my posting.
Thanks.

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[cliff]

http://www.lofrans.it/english/intro.html

There you will find an exploded drawing of the windlass. From the drawing the motor seems to pull out of the gear box but if the woodruff key is tight then it look like you can "unscrew the motor" winding it off the pinion wheel after removing the oil filler screw.

If you cannot find the drawing pm me with your email and I will send it to you by email.

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[olavs]

Thanks Cliff. From the drawing, it seems as if it should slide right out. I guess its a tight fit and also the key could make it a bit difficult, esp. since it has been living in a salt environment for a while. I will try to use a hammer(gently) and a soft drift and see if I can tap them apart.

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[olavs]

OK, I managed to disassemble the beast! If anyone needs advise, please reply to this posting and I should be able to contribute to others struggling with this.

There was a loose screw on one of the bush-holders in the motor which probably caused the intermittent electrical problem.
The upper bearing of the vertical shaft was shot as well, caused by salt water ingress. I will go for a rubber sealed bearing plus new seals. Together with a lot of gease it should keep the salt water away for a while. Maybe a winch cover made of canvas would be a good idea as well.

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