worm drive winch ; is it a safe replacement for the old futon

[hockeyfool]

I bought a 2000lb. worm drive winch from harbor frieght -- 40/1 gear ratio ; but it says on intructions that ther is no brake .
Is this a problem on a worm drive ?

[Bob23]

Not a problem for me...it's not my winch!
Probably not as the design of the worm drive most likely won't allow it to run backwards.
What are you gonna use that for?
Bob23

[skip1930]

The worm [ pinion ] will drive the drum in either direction. The one thing about a worm drive when you let go of the handle the drum stays 'locked'. It's not possible to pull on a line coiled around the drum and and 'unwind' the drum...not without driving the worm that drives the drum to unwind a line. You'll find yourself using the using the handle.

The Ford Model 'T' [ before the Ford Model 'A' ] had a worm drive rear axle...oh and that proved extremely reliable over the 50 million + 'T's built during 23 [ ? ] year production run. And 'T's run fwd and back wards. You needed to go backward to go up hill 'cause fwd won't allow the fuel to flow from the gas tank under the seat going up hills.

The other thing about a worm drive is they deliver a lot of torque BUT at a slow speed. Worms just don't work when pressed into a high speed service, they absorb way too much horse power. The 'T's at 2800 rpm max [ 22 hp ] through the three pedal planetary gear box had a maximum speed of about 40 to 45 mph. The 'A's with ring in pinion rear end [ 3.7 to 1 to 4:11 to 1 ] and three speed gear box [ 40 hp ] run about 65 mph at 2800 rpm.

I don't see a need for it on any Com Pac. And at 40 to 1 ratio you will have a very tired arm and by the time the sheet is winched in...it'll be too late.

The smaller the boat the faster things happen.

skip.

[hockeyfool]

Thankx ,
And my god  you sound like an engineer from Smithsonium institution.
However, I meant that the winch is for the trailer !
So -- I was worried about the worm drive having no brake ; and being a product from both Harbor Freight and China .
The numbskull that owned the compac  before me had done some really stupid mods to the boat and trailer.
For one ; ha lost the winch handle so he soldered a stell bat with a lug nut on end - needing a craftsman socket-to hold handle .
Put it falls off as soon as you let go of it !!
I epoxied it on today .
thank you again for every  reply  you have given  . Happy 4rth !!
I I hope to  meet you on a compac cruise some day .