One of the interesting things I’ve noticed since I acquired the Beta Site is that many people, people I know in real life and internet strangers, suddenly become invested in the adventure. I get a goodly amount of messages of people saying they are living vicariously through my experiences and that I’m doing something they’ve always wanted and haven’t gotten to do yet.
People who know me in ‘real life’, as it were, are also very happy for me. I get quite a few offers of people wanting to come up there and help, or to loan me equipment, etc, etc. One thing that a friend dropped off on ‘indefinite loan’ is this cast metal monster:
Its a Beebe Bros. 2-ton hand winch. You anchor this monster to a solid object (hence, the chains), play out the line to the object you want pulled, and start cranking. These things turn up sometimes at ranch and farm auctions. I like the idea of a hand-powered winch that I can use up at the Beta Site for moving heavy objects. Here’s some more detail on it.
This thing has some weight to it but there isn’t a part on it that isnt made of metal. This is one of those utilitarian objects built back when you built something like a tank and expected it last for generations.
My use for it is in moving a rock sled and some fallen timber around. Given my druthers, a lightweight portable ATV-style electric winch would be my first choice. But we don’t always get what we want and the apocalypse is certain to have a distinct lack of electricity. So…why not have something like this in the toolchest?
I’d like to thank the local person who dropped this thing in the back of my truck and said “theres no hurry in getting it back”. Much thanks.
Awesome! One word, what a good friend.
I’ve used one of these things in the refinery I worked in, we had them attachec to crude tanks to lift/lower internal suction lines. These were installed in the 20’s/30’s. Bomb proof is an understatement. The cable is more likley to break than the gearing in these. Just keep it lubed and you’re golden.
What a great friend
I have one of the smaller ones around here somewhere. At my old job at the mill we had one to raise and lower a jib hoist when it needed repairs. We had a big gear drive Milwaukee drill with a gear that would mate up to the hole where the handle goes.
That “old guy” is still capable of work! I do use the winch on my ATV, but I also use a one ton chain fall and a heavy duty, industrial come along that a BIL gave me because the aluminum pulley had a small chunk out of it. He said I get the broken one because I’m a welder. It went with me on the next bring your broken stuff to work day and was repaired ( I had the aluminum welder in my station).
I enjoy your updates and information, it gets me thinking and that’s always good on our little nine acre “spread”. Watching or listening to how other folks tackle a problem is info to be filed away for future use.
BB Winches are great tools, we use them for push gear towing bridles on tug boats. Take the time to learn how to use it. Releasing the direction pawl and operating the break, if done incorrectly, can cause serious injury. We use hand wheels rather than hand cranks. The adapter in the second picture, looks like it’s for a ratchet, treat it the same as a hand crank.
Warm makes a winch powered by a battery powered drill. Haven’t seen the need for one yet but its on the radar