Posted by John Eickhof on Thursday, November 03, 2005 at 12:14PM :
In Reply to: L means 'left hand worm & drive gear posted by John Eickhof on Thursday, November 03, 2005 at 12:01PM :
Generally 'underslung' or 'low mount' winches are designed for winding cable onto the underside of the drum as the way the winch is frame mounted so the direct pull of the first layer of rope is centered on the frame rails. Thus less stress imposed on the frame from upward or downward pressure. Thus, a 'left hand' drive gearbox would be driven from the passenger side of the truck to make the drum wind properly and a 'right hand' gearbox would do the same when driven on the right or driver side. Ford and Chevrolet vehicles generally have the PTO opening on the passenger side thus they would normally use the 'L' model.
International GMC (ww2), Chevy (ww2) and moat all Dodge have PTO on driver's side.
High mount or M-2 etx are designed to mount on top of the frame and are designed to pull from either side of the drum in an upward direction only ( ie: Wrecker mast to boom, or gin-pole) and not rated for use when pulling at a horizontal angle. (Except for certain larger model 'deck' winches.
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