Caterpillar 518 Gearmatic Winch

Cariboo4x4 · Oct 12, 2016

This machine we got running last night from sitting for 5 years, We were told winch no longer winches. Something about clutches worn out. Hydraulic control inside of cab requires auto brake fluid. Its empty. We have no service manual yet. Anyway to trouble shoot winch before we return to town Friday?

sms · Oct 12, 2016

I have worked on Gearamatic 19 winches in the past, been a long time. One line from the control
goes the center of the end plate of the winch, this controls the expanding clutch, not unusual for
seal to leak if it has been sitting. IIRC you take the bolt out and a V type seal at the end of
the bolt (of course there is a slave cylinder inside) External brake band also controlled by a
slave cylinder, the band should have a large adjustment nut on the bottom of the winch (right
side?). The control and slave cylinders are the same as the brake cylinders on a car and can be
rebuilt the same way using the same rubber cups. If the clutch or brake band are worn any shop
that does brake shoe work should be able to reline them. Make sure they use a woven lining as
there is a lot of force going on in there. Good luck and if you have questions I would try to
answer. Email should be available

Cariboo4x4 · Oct 12, 2016

(quoted from post at 18:20:30 10/12/16) I have worked on Gearamatic 19 winches in the past, been a long time. One line from the control
goes the center of the end plate of the winch, this controls the expanding clutch, not unusual for
seal to leak if it has been sitting. IIRC you take the bolt out and a V type seal at the end of
the bolt (of course there is a slave cylinder inside) External brake band also controlled by a
slave cylinder, the band should have a large adjustment nut on the bottom of the winch (right
side?). The control and slave cylinders are the same as the brake cylinders on a car and can be
rebuilt the same way using the same rubber cups. If the clutch or brake band are worn any shop
that does brake shoe work should be able to reline them. Make sure they use a woven lining as
there is a lot of force going on in there. Good luck and if you have questions I would try to
answer. Email should be available

Thank you for the info and tips. We bought some brake fluid from corner store so will attempt to try out winch tomorrow and I'll post an update.

sms · Oct 13, 2016

You can see the whole works if you take the end plate off. Not real complicated.

Cariboo4x4 · Oct 17, 2016

Hello sms,

I took cover off hydraulic line that goes to center of winch and tube fitting was leaking. I tightened it up. Then took off the big cover to look at clutch and bands you were speaking of. The expanding clutch and bands make more sense to me now. I'm still trying to find an exploded diagram of working parts of winch. Just waiting for photos my buddy took so I can post them here. The winch control lever I expect has a neutral position and reverse and forward position? We ran out of time to bleed system since reservoir in top of control box was empty. Do you recall the procedure to bleed the system? Skidder is 3 hours from where I live so hope to return there before the snow arrives or in Spring 2017. I wonder if I should advise owner to buy a rebuild kit for control box. I seen a puddle od fluid under control box as we were leaving.

Cariboo4x4 · Oct 17, 2016

Caterpillar 518 Gearmatic Winch

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