tractor logging winch brake

chuck172 · Jan 7, 2020

I recently bought an igland/norse 4501 winch. Really impressive! The manual is awful. How the heck do you operate the rope activated brake?

CobyRupert · Jan 7, 2020

Not familiar with your make/model, but it looks similar to other brands.

Does it have 2 separate ropes? One for the clutch that engages the winch, another rope for the brake?

Regardless, there should be a ratcheting gear with a pawl ("latch" or "dog"). This is the brake when the pawl engages the ratcheting gear and prevents it from rotating backwards & unwinding spool. Typically, there's a separate rope to pull to engage this pawl / latch / brake that you pull right as you're about to release the clutch rope.
There needs to be tension in the cable trying to unwind the spool in order for the pawl / latch to jam into the gear and hold it in place from turning backwards. If you're trying to test the brake without this tension, the pawl may just drop away from the gear as soon as you release the brake rope and the spool can still freewheel.

Citydude · Jan 7, 2020

Coby explained the brake system perfectly. I just wanted to say, Nice Winch! Property maintenance just got lots easier.

52wej · Jan 7, 2020

Colby has explained it well. I have a Norse 350 model. one rope goes inside of the winch. It is connected to the main clutch which powers the winch. The other rope goes to a lever outside which is connected to the pawl that provides the breaking. If you had a picture of the winch that would help.

I will say the design of the rope for the brake on my 350 is not easy to use. I find I often have to flip the lever by hand to get it into the brake position. The rope will pull it vertical and then .........maybe the lever will fall in the right direction.Other than that the winch is great and very powerful.

Agvg · Jan 7, 2020

What happen when you tryes to use the brake?

chuck172 · Jan 7, 2020

52wej said:
Colby has explained it well. I have a Norse 350 model. one rope goes inside of the winch. It is connected to the main clutch which powers the winch. The other rope goes to a lever outside which is connected to the pawl that provides the breaking. If you had a picture of the winch that would help.
Looking at the mechanical design it doesn't make sense. You nailed it when you said the rope will pull it vertical. I've been flipping it without the rope.

CobyRupert · Jan 7, 2020

chuck172 said:
52wej said:

Colby has explained it well. I have a Norse 350 model. one rope goes inside of the winch. It is connected to the main clutch which powers the winch. The other rope goes to a lever outside which is connected to the pawl that provides the breaking. If you had a picture of the winch that would help.
Looking at the mechanical design it doesn't make sense. You nailed it when you said the rope will pull it vertical. I've been flipping it without the rope.

Click to expand...

I'll occasionally release the brake by reaching behind a guard (on my model) to pull the pawl lever down, but usually only when the PTO is already off.
As you know, be careful of the drawstrings on your hood or jacket or other clothing threads that hang down if you're getting that close to a spinning PTO.