What kind of winch is this?
- Thread starter James86004
- Start date
SunTzuNephew
Explorer
Wow. Looks like a Hickey Sidewinder... I haven't seen one of those in years. They used to have an ad where a full-sized Blazer hoisted itself up into a tree.
They were (IIRC) a 8K winch, in a compact package because the drum axis was vertical instead of the more normal horizontal. Nice design, actually.
They were (IIRC) a 8K winch, in a compact package because the drum axis was vertical instead of the more normal horizontal. Nice design, actually.
James86004
Expedition Leader
Thanks, that looks like it, based on the photos here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?p=2488044#post2488044
Is it worth acquiring? The Jeep it is on is a lawn ornament.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?p=2488044#post2488044
Is it worth acquiring? The Jeep it is on is a lawn ornament.
SunTzuNephew
Explorer
They were quite popular....when I was in the market for a winch back in '98 I was surprised to find they were out of business... They make a great option for rear-mount on pickups and large SUVs, and in smaller vehicles.
Bullseye240
Adventurer
That's what it is. I have one back at home that my dad pulled off an old one ton ramp style car hauler. They had mounted it under the bed with the drum running horizontally. It starved the big aluminum gear of oil and the worm gear stripped the teeth off. I called when they were still in business (tells you how long ago that was:sombrero
and the rep asked me how many splines were in the center of it. After I told him he was stunned that it stripped off. He said that was a 12000# winch and wanted to know what I was pulling.
After I explained it to him he laughed for a good bit. I never ordered the gear and they went out of business. I later found a replacement and had my uncle cut the splines in it for me. Have never got around to making it work or mounting it up. Might have to when I get back to the states and mount it on my old Blazer.
BTW the spline count was 14 for the 12000# model IIRC. Hope you make it work as they are great winches. The have no need for an external brake due to the worm gear drive. They mount lower and dont block the airflow as much. The drum holds a LOT of cable.
Best of luck! Sweet score:victory:.
and the rep asked me how many splines were in the center of it. After I told him he was stunned that it stripped off. He said that was a 12000# winch and wanted to know what I was pulling. After I explained it to him he laughed for a good bit. I never ordered the gear and they went out of business. I later found a replacement and had my uncle cut the splines in it for me. Have never got around to making it work or mounting it up. Might have to when I get back to the states and mount it on my old Blazer.
BTW the spline count was 14 for the 12000# model IIRC. Hope you make it work as they are great winches. The have no need for an external brake due to the worm gear drive. They mount lower and dont block the airflow as much. The drum holds a LOT of cable.
Best of luck! Sweet score:victory:.
ntsqd
Heretic Car Camper
An acquaintance of mine by the name of John Thawley (RIP) was there for the winching of the Blazer into the tree. He told me that getting it up there into the tree wasn't a problem. Getting it down was. Especially since GM wanted their promo vehicle back unscarred!
If they had an issue it was that the cable tends to gather more on the bottom of the drum than on top. Careful spooling needs to be practiced to keep the cable from bunching up and binding the drum.
If they had an issue it was that the cable tends to gather more on the bottom of the drum than on top. Careful spooling needs to be practiced to keep the cable from bunching up and binding the drum.
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
I have a NIB Hickey I've kept around for some distant project, potentially in a rear application?? I've seen a few welll tailored rear winch setups, mostly in older Land Cruiser applications. For me its less of a need as I'm rarely on the trail solo and the majority of those I travel with also have winches. For those rare times I have a linear hand winch. Thats not to say others have absolute needs for a rear winch and am interested to see how you guys handle the mounting and such.
(from a discussion on the Sidewinder here)
(from a discussion on the Sidewinder here)
I was just looking at Off Road Handbook written by Bob Waar and what do I see...
[Hijack] One of my favourite books, I think I got my copy back in 75 or 76[/hijack]
ntsqd
Heretic Car Camper
Say that author's name fast several times and you'll get it.
John Thawley wrote that book (& the one on Datsun 510's), but had to use a nom de plume because of contractual reasons.
[digression]Thawley was also the camera man of all of the footage of the Texas College Tower sniper in the 60's.[/digression]
skysix
Adventurer
Hickey Sidewinder - officially 8000# since 5/16" cable. I put 3/8" on and ran it at about 11,500 with no problems other than higher power draw. BUT you do need to keep it well oiled. Hoisting vertically will reduce that - OK if for short periods. Key to vertical hoisting is the worm gear drive. When power off friction acts as a lock so no dogs or clutch like on a planetary style winch. Tatra uses these on their 813/815's (although it has a 1m. dia drum and holds 330' of 25mm cable...) mounted on the top of the chassis in the middle of the frame. Cable runs allow 1:1 pull to front, 2:1 to rear - good for use as a recovery vehicle with an 8x8 that weighs 15-25 tons!