Winches have multiple uses and are very effective for moving heavy items. But, from the nature of their applications, they can pose a safety risk. That is why a winch brake is important, as it can help secure the winch drum. In this article, we are going to look at how a winch brake works and its applications.
What is a Winch Brake?
A winch lets you pull in or let out a coil of cable to maneuver a stuck truck or tow a heavy object. But, you’ll need to stop the winch when it’s not in motion. A winch brake is a part that prevents the winch from unwinding under tension.
There are three main types of winch brakes used, namely:
- Motor brakes
- Transmission brakes
- Drum brakes
Here is a look at how the different winch brakes work
Check this too: Best Tow Bar for Jeep Wrangler
Motor Brakes
These, as the name suggests, are fitted to the motor. Its working principle is via a strong spring that pushes a brake disc that is fitted to the motor shaft against a static surface, and thus effectively locks the motor shaft. With the application of electrical power, an electromagnetic force pulls away from the brake disc from the static surface, allowing the motor shaft to rotate.
Transmission Brakes
Transmission brakes are fitted between the winch’s motor and gearbox. The brake force is generated like is the case with motor brakes. They’re air released where air motors are fitted and released hydraulically when used on hydraulically-driven winches.
Drum Brakes
These are mostly used for applications where a second brake is required, like with pulling winches where the static load is a multiple of the dynamic load. In such a case, the coupling must also be used to prevent the high braking force from also reaching the gearbox. The brakes act directly on the drum or its shaft, and thus the drum brake needs to have a much larger capacity while the braking force isn’t multiplied by the gearbox.
The band brake is the most common type of these types of brakes. It consists of friction material that tightens concentrically around the winch drum to either prevent it from rotating or to slow it down.
Check this too: Best boat trailer winch
While the best time when to use a winch brake is when the winch is not in motion, it is a very important part for obvious reasons – you won’t ruin the working mechanism. Understanding significance and how it works goes a long way to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of your winching.