warn 12k winch lever

[buffblazer]

the free spool lever, does it only have 2 speeds? engaged and free?

used the winch today and it seemed like it spooled quickly any way to slow it down like a gear reduction?

 

[zombie1969]

I wouldn't consider free mode a speed.Also I would expect it to slow when you have a heavy load on it so try and drag your truck when cabled to a tree and see how it works.A 12k should pull that truck with all 4 wheels locked.

 

[Fordum]

Don't know about a Warn, but most winches do have a "speed control" on the free spool setting.
First of all, you have to remember, that is not a gear shift lever. It is a dog clutch control.
When you put it in free, it completely disengages the spool from the gearbox and just lets the cable spool out.
Like pressing the free spool button on a casting reel.

But, since cable is prone to be springy, most of the better winches have a way to prevent backlashes.
On most worm drive winches, there is a brake pad that presses against one side of the spool to slow it down and prevent the cable from just springing out into a big backlash.
If you have one of the planetary gear winches, the brake is usually inside the spool its self.
The cable should be firm to pull off, but not very hard. When you quit pulling, it should stop immediately.
If it keeps unspooling, then the brake is either worn or needs adjusting.

Go to Warn's site, enter your model number and serial number into their replacement parts page, and it will pop up a PDF file that shows an exploded view of your winch.
Look for a brake on the parts list and refer to that number.

 

[Fordum]

Looking at an exploded view of Warn's 12K winches, I don't think that brake has anything to do with freespooling.
The problem with planetary gearsets, is that they have no locking ability. They will turn just fine from either end.
Which means, when you shut the winch off, if you were pulling up a hill, the winch would let the truck roll back down.

Worm drive winches have some self locking ability. Depending on the ratio and the load, some of them will back up under extreme load.

Your planetary winch has a one way brake that stops the gears from going backwards. It would be disengaged when the clutch is disengaged. However, it seems to be inside the drum, so it just might offer some drag. Otherwise, I think it just uses the nylon bushings to slow the drum down when in free wheel.

My PTO worm drive winch, has an oil filled brake on the end of the worm that prevents a load from reversing the winch, and a spring loaded pad that contacts the side of the spool to control the freespool speed.

 

[4X4HIGH]

the free spool lever, does it only have 2 speeds? engaged and free?

used the winch today and it seemed like it spooled quickly any way to slow it down like a gear reduction?

NO, there is only one "speed" and the lever is either engaged to winch or on FREE to free spool the winch line out.

 

[buffblazer]

NO, there is only one "speed" and the lever is either engaged to winch or on FREE to free spool the winch line out.

thanks that was the simple response i was looking for everything else was making my head spin lol

to everyone else, thanks though i did learn more about my winch then i knew.