Hyster D7N winch automatic brake.

I have recently acquired a Hyster D7N winch with the auto brake option. Could someone explain how works?

I believe that it is designed to stop the cable slipping under load and take the pressure off the manual drum brake. If so, does this mean that you cannot pull out the cable by hand with the drive in neutral, and that you have to “power out” the cable rather than pull it out manually?

Refreshing…

John, I can't answer your question, but have you seen the topic in the discussion for Hyster D6N? There's a link to a parts and instruction manual which may shed some light on the workings of the automatic brake for you.

Thanks for the reply.

I have read the topic on the D6N winch.

I do have a copy of the Hyster D7N parts and instruction manual, but it does not cover operation with/of the automatic brake as it is an option.

I guess that I will wait until I get the unit mounted on the tractor and then find out !

I actually have a 17A fitted with the Hyster D7N too, now you have me wondering. Is there a way to identify if my winch has the automatic brake option? I've never done so much as turn the winch myself, I remember it being used in the past but my involvement then was minimal.

A free spool winch has 3 control levers. Brake, free spool, and forward-reverse. A non- free spool winch, two levers. To pull out line on a non-free spool, you set control lever midway between forward and reverse, it will pull out by hand, but can require a lot of pulling forces. The auto brake can be applied, and you can still take in a bit of line, but the brake will instantly prevent line from feeding- or free spooling back out. Basically automatic brake prevents your winched load from falling-rolling away from the machine. You need this because the alternative is to release the main clutch and slam on the brake lever before your load is pulling line out by gravitational force.

You can remove left side cover of winch, and if has automatic brake option, the words automatic brake are cast in side of brake drum.

Thanks for the information Jimmy, the unit I have is a two lever unit. I will have to have a peek behind the left side cover.

An automatic brake is a racheting brake. Means you can pull brake lever hard on. Have winch in forward gear, engage clutch and winch will wind in and moment you release clutch, where rope is under load; drum will not unwind with the load on it. Brake automatically holds it.

Brake drum has a internal ratchet and pawl to do this.

Thats assuming brake was set up to overwind rope. If rope is underwinding brake drum assembly has to be reversed on shaft. Thats why outside cover of brake assembly is marked overwinding on 1 side, and underwinding on other side.

Thank you for the explanation Jimmy, it makes perfect sense.

Thank you D6 Merv.

So you can wind on with the (hand) brake lever hard on?

To pay out the cable, do you have to drive the winch in reverse?