Hi everybody, compliments to all and happy and magic 4x4ing for 2012.
I have been contemplating to DIY myself some hub capstans for quite a while now but have not got around to doing anything about it yet. My interest was again aroused in the latest 'Drive out' magazine when a letter to the editor was published.I have a few questions that I hope someone can help me with.
1. Has anybody tried to manufacture their own set and if so what were the difficulties encountered.
2. Does anybody know if and where they can be purchased at a reasonable price.
3.If anybody has a set how do they work?
4. Any other advise/comment
All contributions will be most greatfull.
Many thanks. by voorbaat
I know them from army days, fitted to rear of Land Rovers.
I found them not very practical, since they only work if the anchor is directly behind the stuck vehicle's capstan.
Often you would find an anchor directly behind the wheel, and as you start the recovery, the vehicle slews, ruining the alignment, with nasty consequences.
A solution is to fit a gadget with rollers, similar to winch rollers on the rear bumper, to ensure that the cable is in line with the capstan.
Hooking up the cable to a wheel which is submerged is not easy/fun either.
I still think the best winch is the Tirfor type winch.
I found them not very practical, since they only work if the anchor is directly behind the stuck vehicle's capstan.
Often you would find an anchor directly behind the wheel, and as you start the recovery, the vehicle slews, ruining the alignment, with nasty consequences.
A solution is to fit a gadget with rollers, similar to winch rollers on the rear bumper, to ensure that the cable is in line with the capstan.
Hooking up the cable to a wheel which is submerged is not easy/fun either.
I still think the best winch is the Tirfor type winch.
- Brano Winch.jpg (17.4 KiB) Viewed 2917 times
- Relatively cheap.
- Versatile. Can be used for much more than vehicle recovery.
- Can be used from any convenient anchor.
- Can be used for any vehicle in the convoy.
Gerhard Fourie
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
Littleman,
I am of opinion that capstans can work but: NB BUT I think the idea must first be discussed around a table - a spare wheel with some cold ones to lubricate the ideas and to get the minds working. From there get all ideas pooled and from that, the serious development can start. I do not think it will be difficult to develop and to make capstans.
The one problem that I can foresee is attaching the capstans to the Pajero alloy wheels. I have a set of steel rims for travelling so the attachment problem is small.
If I can join/assist pse give me a call.
Cloyd.
I am of opinion that capstans can work but: NB BUT I think the idea must first be discussed around a table - a spare wheel with some cold ones to lubricate the ideas and to get the minds working. From there get all ideas pooled and from that, the serious development can start. I do not think it will be difficult to develop and to make capstans.
The one problem that I can foresee is attaching the capstans to the Pajero alloy wheels. I have a set of steel rims for travelling so the attachment problem is small.
If I can join/assist pse give me a call.
Cloyd.
I've just saved a reply and cant figure out how to retrieve it so I can post it. Am I thick or what? 
Please help
Please help
Thanks guys for the response. Lets see if there are any other inputs forthcoming and then we can take it from there. The mag wheel problem will have to be looked at although the letter in the 'Drive out' seemed to suggest that this is not a problem provided the right mods. are made. I can also see the problem that could occur if a decent anchor is not available. But then again this probably goes for all winches.
Lets see if there is any other input but in the meantime thanks.
Lets see if there is any other input but in the meantime thanks.