long weekend project, track winch.

Lew Skelton · #1 14-01-14, 04:41

So it took a little while but finally got it finished. There was a bit of tidying up with the file and flapper disc on the grinder then bit of welding to piece it together. Talk about a brain explosion whilst trying to remember how to do an eye splice in the wire rope, didn't turn out too bad after referring to youtube. I need to take a link out of one side of the tracks as they have loosened up a little from the extra bit of riving of late.

Lew Skelton · #2 14-01-14, 04:47

few more photos... even an action shot of me hacksawing the big chunky hook bit from a big chunk of steel, new and old then one of the winch on the carrier with a bit of tension on the track.

Robin Craig · #3 14-01-14, 09:56

Dear Lew,

Fine piece of work there, apart from the paint it is impossible to know new from old.

So, how does it seem to work? I get the feeling you still have to split the track as yet.

I am more than familiar with track work but on post war tracked vehicles.

Do you think that there is a better tool that could be designed or does this original tool still represent the best tool for the job?

Once again, lovely job mate.

Robin

Lew Skelton · #4 14-01-14, 10:18

thanks Robin, I have done a bit of work on m113's and think that the track adjusters used on them work pretty well and could be modified for carriers.

super dave · #5 14-01-14, 10:28

I modified this M113 track jack and it works very good

Marc van Aalderen · #6 19-01-14, 10:23

Hello Lew,

Impressive work! Age it a bit and it looks original in every way!

I have never seen this style of track winch before. Are these of Australian design? It's a big tool compared with the "normal" track winch but at least this type will not slip when it gets a bit worn.

One question, what is the round hooked piece used for? The one held in place with the knurled bolt.

Cheers,

Lew Skelton · #7 20-01-14, 10:19

Hi Marc, I'm no expert but believe these winches were only used on Kiwi and Aussie carriers, most likely a Kiwi design hi jacked and used across the Tasman. For your question about the l shaped rod, its held on the side by the round headed thumb screw when not in use, it is used in conjunction with the big hook when taking up the slack in the track, big hook goes thru the track and rod is poked into a hole in the hook preventing hook from disengaging with track. I would post some photos but after looking for two days for my camera my darling wife says I left it on the roof of the car..... Found camera today, about 200 meters up the road, flattened.