Reserve Winch

The reserve winch is a German TOST 04 model winch. SSS obtained the winch from the RAFGSA with it mounted on the back of a converted Bedford Bus. Due to increasing reliability problems with the bus, during 2012 the winch was removed from the bus chassis and installed onto a custom made trailer chassis.

Engine

When the club originally obtained this winch, it was fitted with the Oldsmobile 455 engine that is now fitted to the Skybrid winch. The 455 was removed when the crankshaft broke. It was replaced with an Oldmsobile 403, which though wasn't as powerful as the 455, proved to be a good winch engine. Unfortunately, this engine threw a con rod, and so was replaced with a Pontiac 400 (The club's winches are both fitted with GM TH400 which are available with two different bell housing patterns - Chevy style (five bolts) and BOP (Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac) style - 6 bolts. This means that the club tends to use Oldsmobile and Pontiac engines (we haven't tried Buicks yet!). Click on this for more data on the Pontiac 400.

Trailer Chassis

The trailer chassis was designed (by James Hunneman) in a similar manner to the Skybrid winch's trailer chassis to allow similar ease of access to the winch mechanical parts, ease of towing and to cater for winch upgrades in the future. The trailer coupling, hitch stand, wheels, tyres and LPG tank are all the same. The axles are made by the same manufacturers to similar specifications, although the axle bracket's positions are in different positions.

• Trailer coupling: Bradley HU12 Cast Delta Coupling. Auto-reverse. 2200-3500Kg capacity
• Hitch stand: Same as that used on Skybrid winch. Obtained from Skylaunch.
• Trailer axles: Custom made and supplied by Peak Trailers. Bidford-On-Avon. 1500Kg axles, 200x50mm brake size, 5 stud on 6.5" PCD, M16 stud pattern (This is the Land Rover wheel stud pattern-deliberately chosen for ready supply of wheels and commonality with Skybrid winch). Peak Part Number: RA15B200A565. Dimensions O.H.F.=2367mm, Cut length=2065mm. Twin sets of axle brackets fitted at 1950 & 723mm centres. 4-hole cable anchor plate welded to top of axle. (Price was £250+VAT for each axle) Peak Trailers +44 1789 778 041 Peak Trailers
• Wheels: Land Rover Defender SWB rims. Size 5.5J x 16" ET 33mm offset. 5 stud on 6.5 inch PCD. These rims are readily available secondhand or new. A set of five Land Rover wheels with good Michelin 205R16 tyres was obtained for £100.
• Mudguards: Obtained from Peak Trailers. Part Number TSM867. 8"x67". They're not the best or straightest steel pressing in the world, but they only cost £65.
• LPG tank: A new tank and fittings was installed. The same make and type as fitted to the Skylaunch, obtained from a very helpful company called TinleyTech Tinley Tech +44 (0)1767 676181. The tank used is a 4-hole Cylinder Tank 360x892mm 80 litre capacity. With valves this cost £199+VAT. Also purchased was an Optical level display, a tank frame, and a remote ACME-JIC filler. A new gas-shut-off solenoid was fitted to the tank itself, and the original winch's one removed, and the wiring extended to the tank solenoid.

The trailer bolts to the TOST winch using the TOST's standard four mounting holes (basically, one M14 bolt in each corner). The axles were positioned such that there was a little hitch weight but not too much. If future winch upgrades modify the winch's centre of gravity, there are alternate mounting holes pre-drilled in the lower face of the trailer chassis to allow moving the axles to compensate. (Though the mudguard brackets would have to be cut from the winch)

• The trailer was designed so as not to prevent the future fitment of Skylaunch's large diameter steel drums (These have the advantage of doing away with the cable paying-on gear)
• The elevated platform is designed such that it could be used as the base for an enclosed cab if one is wanted in the future.
• James Hunneman has full Solid Works CAD models and drawings and a build manual and parts list for the winch trailer.

At the same time as the trailer conversion, some other work was done to the winch:

• The original front fibre glass moulding was replaced with a protective grill.
• a new centre piece for the engine cover was manufactured and the hinges and folding panels refurbished.
• The winch frame and panels got a coat of paint.
• The back of the cab was reworked to permit easy access and a new seat fitted. A weather guard was fitted for the radio (but could do with being re-thought and made better...not my best bit of design-JH!)

Parts Replaced/Work Done

In Sept 2012 while the winch was being re-commissioned it was discovered that the sump contained 14 litres of water as well as the usual oil content. No explanation for this could be found. The engine was drained without being run, refilled with oil and fitted with a new filter. The engine was run for a short period and the inevitably sludgy oil drained. It was refilled with a flushing mixture, run at operating temperature, drained and refilled with fresh oil and the filter changed again. After running for a while the oil was checked and found to be clean. The radiator shroud was adjusted having been found to be fouling the fan. After refitting, having been 'borrowed', the starter motor started making 'binding' sounds, even though the original shims had been refitted. Various shimmimg arrangements did not improve matters, so it was decided to go with the original shims and keep an eye on the condition of the flywheel ring gear.

The drum brakes were adjusted and the wooden cable guards realigned.