My winch is "bound up"

[Paul (in NH)]

Evidently when I was using my winch the PTO was still engaged when I thought it was out. I wound the winch tight enough that the shear pin let go, but now the cable is bound up. Even thought the engage/dis-engage lever seems to be dis-engaged it is still bound up tightly. When this happened at also has caused gear oil leakage on both sides. Any tips on how to loosen this thing up so I can get it fixed? I

[MSeriesRebuild]

You can try hand turning the worm shaft in the opposite direction to get the tension off. If it pulled the cable down into itself, such as if the cable was loosely wound on the drum when the extreme pressure wind up occured, and pulled outer layers of cable down into and between some inner layers; depends on just how much was pulled down in. You might can pick and pull it loose if you are lucky; most times when this happens, the cable is pinched, kinked, and crushed to the point it is no longer safe to use anyway. When we have this situation, I usually just start cutting the cable with a torch, pulling it out in short pieces. Good luck.

[Paul (in NH)]

Thanks, I'll give that a try. Any thoughts about leakage? I don't immediately see anything cracked or broken.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Thanks, I'll give that a try. Any thoughts about leakage? I don't immediately see anything cracked or broken.

That needs to be looked at once you get the cable off.

[SOTVEN]

THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME A COUPLE TIMES. AS CHARLES INDICATED, THE LINE FIRST GOT LOOSE AND THEN INTERLOCKED. WHAT WORKED FOR ME WAS TO SET THE WINCH TO NEUTRAL ON BOTH PTO AND ENGAGING PIN, TIE A CHAIN AROUND A BIG TREE AND TO THE END OF THE LINE AND SLOWLY REVERSE MY TRUCK AWAY FROM THE TREE. IT UNSNAGGED FINE. CHECK THE LINE AFTER THAT. ONCE I DID IT I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH NOT TO HAVE KINKS AND FRAYS, THE SECOND TIME THOUGH I HAD A KINK AND HAD TO REMOVE ABOUT 10 FEET OF LINE. I ASSUME THE LEAK IS FROM THE SEALS ON THE SIDES OF THE DRUM. DO YOU USE YOUR WINCH REGURALRY? PERHAPS NOW THAT IT GOT UNDER STRESS THE SEALS GAVE UP. IS IT STILL LEAKING OR WAS IT A FEW DROPS AND THEN STOPPED? AS AFOREMENTIONED. ONCE YOU UNTANGLE IT CHECK IT OUT. I SEE NO REASONS FOR CRACKED CASES. GOOD LUCK

[MSeriesRebuild]

Anytime a shear pin breaks, there is a chance that the worm gear housing or the bearing retainers on it could be cracked. Check that closely, especially if you have noticed leaks that were not there prior. A crack can be a source for a new leak.