Ramsey Winch RPH 8000T, Operating, Service And Maintenance Manual

5

OPERATION 

The best way to get acquainted with how your winch operates is to make test runs before you actually use it.  Plan 
your test in advance.  Remember that you hear your winch, as well as see it operate.  Get to recognize the sounds 
of a light steady pull, a heavy pull, and sounds caused by load jerking or shifting.  Avoid conditions where load 
shifts or jerks occur, as they may indicate a dangerous situation. 
 
The uneven spooling of cable, while pulling a load, is not a problem, unless there is a cable pileup on one end of 
drum.  If this happens, reverse the winch to relieve the load and move your anchor point further to the center of the 
vehicle.  After the job is done you can unspool and rewind for a neat lay of the cable. 
 
When pulling a heavy load, place a blanket, jacket or tarpaulin over the cable about five or six feet behind the hook.  
In the event of a broken cable, this will slow the snap back of the cable and could prevent serious injury. 
The winch clutch allows rapid unspooling of the cable, from cable drum, for hooking onto the load.  The clutch is 
operated by the clutch shifter lever or air shifter. 

WARNING:  DO NOT DISENGAGE CLUTCH UNDER LOAD. 

MANUAL CLUTCH SHIFTER

  (Refer to page 14) 

TO DISENGAGE CLUTCH: Run the winch in the reverse (reel out) direction until load is off the cable.  Pull 
handle out and rotate 90o.  With handle in the “DISENGAGED” position cable may now be free-spooled from 
drum.     

TO ENGAGE CLUTCH: Pull handle out, rotate 90 o and release handle.  Run the winch in reverse until the 
clutch handle snaps fully into the “ENGAGED” position. 

 DO NOT

 attempt to pull a load unless the handle is 

fully at the “ENGAGED” position.  If manual shift indicator light is present, the green light is lit when clutch is 
fully “ENGAGED”.  

 DO NOT

 attempt to pull a load unless the green light is lit.  To hookup light to the vehicle 

electrical system refer to the Electrical Schematic on page 15. 

AIR CYLINDER CLUTCH SHIFTER

  (Refer to page 15) 

TO DISENGAGE CLUTCH: Run the winch in the reverse (reel out) direction until load is off the cable.  Apply air 
pressure to the .125-27 NPT port: 80 PSI (min.), 150 PSI (max.).  

CAUTION:

Pressure must not exceed 150 PSI

.

TO ENGAGE CLUTCH:

 Remove air pressure from the cylinder (a return spring engages the plunger).  Run 

winch in reverse until the clutch engagement indicator light (green light) is lit.   

DO NOT

 attempt to pull a load 

unless the green light is lit.  To hookup light to the vehicle electrical system refer to the Electrical Schematic on 
page 15. 

MAINTENANCE     

1.  Inspect the cable for damage and lubricate frequently.  If the cable becomes frayed with broken strands, 

replace immediately.  Cable and hook assembly P/N 524118 (“Y” drum) or P/N 524119 (“STD” drum) may be 
purchased from a Ramsey distributor. 
 

2.  Check that the clutch is fully engaging. See OPERATION instructions, above, for the appropriate clutch shifter.  

FOR MANUAL CLUTCH ONLY: Monthly disengage clutch, put several drops of oil on the shaft and work clutch 
IN and OUT several times to lubricate inside of clutch cylinder. 
 

3.    Check brake for drift.  Refer to page 7. 

4.  Check oil level of winch brake housing every month.  Remove oil level plug (refer to pg.13).  Oil level should be 

kept up to oil level hole (plus or minus 1/8”). Replace oil annually or more often if winch is used frequently.  Use 
½ pint of Mobilfluid 424, Phillips HG Fluid, Texaco TDH, Shell Oil Co. Donax TD high performance tractor 
transmission fluid or equivalent, and for quietest operation, add ¼ fl. oz. of an oil additive (available from the 
factory). 
 

5. 

Check to see that drum cable does not overrun (BIRDNEST) when freespooling.  Refer to page 3. 

6. 

Replace drum bushings and seals when seals begin to seep grease.  Refer to OVERHAUL 
INSTRUCTIONS, page 8.  

Add additional lubricant, Mobilith SHC 007, to gears if required.