Winch mounting plate

[zzr1200]

Following on from the posting of CornishPete.

Part1.

Here's my winch mounting solution.
The first few pictures are of my lash up of a winch mounting post a quick afternoons work, built about 9 years ago, for the following days use.

The small winch is 3500lbs line pull, I've already stalled and burnt out a 4000 lbs winch about 7 years ago so the winch post has been tested so far..

The tube on the bottom of the 3500lbs winch is a bit of 80 x 80 x 3mm.

The trailers A frame mount

The bottom cross tube is 60 x 60 x 4mm, upright tube is 90 x 90 x 3mm, diagonal brace to tow hitch is 50 x 6 mm flat bar. Its never been a problem.

The new winch is 13500lbs so I'm expecting the original post to bend possibly at sometime....

So some 8mm plate drilled for the winch base plate and the fairlead roller.

Winch temporarily mounted to position the fairlead support bracket.

 

[zzr1200]

Part 2.
I needed to put slight bends in the fairlead support bracket to stop it bending backwards under load.

So a couple of temporary blocks to locate the material for bending, a bit of U channel, a 20mm bar and a press, bends by eye.

Then a low strengthening strip cut and welded to stop distortion/warp under load, across the back of the mounting plate.

Temporary fitted winch to base plate.

Fairlead roller bracket test fitted to obtain correct bolt n nut clearance to winch, bracket tacked in place.

Fairlead roller assembly and winch removed for welding.

I'll admit the weldings not wonderful but it's a new welder to me, so I'm still getting used to the settings..

A bit of grinding and paint will sort it...

 

[zzr1200]

Part 3.

Today I just cut the required hole for the winch cable to pass through the fairlead roller bracket and shaped the front of the mounting plate.

I now have to sightly modify the cage at the front of the trailer, so now waiting on some dry weather....

 

[zzr1200]

Part 4.

Dry weather...

So out with the grinders and mig to modify the front cage of the trailer, the 2 inner uprights needed moving outwards to allow the winch plate/roller fairly to sit correctly...

Position the mounting plate and weld on the mounting tube, then put on a bit of slap.....

Now waiting for the paint to dry, then mount the winch/fairlead assembly...

 

[GraemeVW]

Looking good!

 

[zzr1200]

Looking good!

Just need a lathe to test it, now.....

 

[zzr1200]

Part 5.

Bolted the winch and fairlead rollers on today, probably tomorrow I'll fit a couple of webbing strap handles for lifting it about...

 

[zzr1200]

Nice weather today so out into the garage to finish the winch and a bit of other pottering.

Fitted the lifting straps and tried it the hole, looks good to me.....

I'll just have to wait and see if/how the winch post holds up....

 

[stuvy]

I’d be tempted to make a flip over rain, out of prying eyes cover

 

[zzr1200]

I’d be tempted to make a flip over rain, out of prying eyes cover

The main idea is to just lift the winch in/out of the post and store it in the back of the discovery when the winch is needed for use, or leave it in the garage/workshop out of the way of prying eyes and sticky fingers..