FS: Capstan Winch Kit, complete and ready to hook up!

[Gary25]

For Sale: Capstan Winch Kit. Appears to be mostly complete and ready to hook up - includes Link Belt capstan head, mounting plate, drive shaft, special hub mounting brackets & spacer bolts, NOS pully, NOS shifting rod. The Link Belt capstan head was developed late 1944 and was originally designed for use on the MB/GPW as a replacement for the weaker Braden J2 winch. The Link Belt winch set is also the correct winch for CJ2A, CJ3A and later model CJ's. I have not used this kit, but it appears that all the parts are there to hook it up. Gears inside the head look very good. Sold As IS. $2495 plus shipping. Located in NJ. Contact me with questions.

Gary
grsschultz@aol.com

[Benleroy]

I believe the Link Belt capstan head was developed late in WWII, could be used on MB/GPW and is the correct winch for CJ2A and later model CJ's.

Are you sure?
I've always read that the "3 screws" model is 100% civilian and post war. It was later sold by Willys Overland as an accessory for the CJ-2A.

[Nikko]

Hi Benleroy


The ww2 CAPSTAN WINCH has 4 screws the later type is 3 screws and are post war/civilian

Cheers From The North
Nikko

[Larry E Long]

This is a WWII capstan winch. Quite different.



Larry

[Gary25]

Hi Guys,
The 3 stud winch head I have posted here was designed by Link Belt Corp. in late 1944 as a replacement for the Braden Model J-2 winch which the Army determined was too week to handle hard winch use.
See note below:
------------------------------------------------------------------
About the Link Belt Capstan Winch
The Link Belt capstan winch was designed late in WWII as an improved capstan winch for the MB. Field reports indicated that the Braden winch (model J-2) in use at that time was breaking under use, was not sturdy enough, and the gear teeth had a tendency to strip. The improved Link Belt winch was manufactured to overcome the problems of the Braden winch.*

The Link Belt winch can be identified by three cap screws in the top of the winch head (as seen in the diagram on the right).
*Source: PreProduction Civilian Jeeps, by Frederic L. Coldwell
------------------------------------------------------------------
I have a copy of an original Willys blue print (see below images) which shows the 3 stud Link Belt winch along with bumper mounted rope roller system as part of a revised Army G503 winch kit. The below images of this blue print are a little fuzzy as it is a copy of a copy, but the revision date of 12/21/44 can clearly be seen at the bottom of the print. The engineer that signed off on the print was a guy named Carter.

The stronger Link Belt winch probably didn't go into service until later in 1945, but as best as I can tell, it was orginally designed for the MB/GPW series of Jeeps. Because of its late design, Willys used it on the later CJ2A and civilian Jeeps after the war. I do have the more common Braden J2 winch on my 45 GPW and I can tell the casting design of the Link Belt model does look a little more robust.

[David H. Morganthall]

Hi Gary,

Welcome to the club. You post it and they will challenge it. Regardless of the date, this is one nice piece and I sure would guess at least a few made it into WW2 service. Wish I had the cash.

Best Regards,

David

[Keith Buckley]

Gary,

The mounting plate looks a bit primative to be the factory part?

Can you post the dwg number ?

[Gary25]

I don't see a drawing number on the mounting plate. The plate is well made and sturdy, but it is possible the plate could be a replacement unit.

[Keith Buckley]

I meant the drawing number of the blueprint in your post...

I can send you a photo of an FMC mount plate so you can see what I mean about the differences. (No holes in yours?)

[wjohn]

Hi Gary,

Welcome to the club. You post it and they will challenge it. Regardless of the date, this is one nice piece and I sure would guess at least a few made it into WW2 service. Wish I had the cash.

Best Regards,

David

David,

It seems that it was easier for some to have a closed mind, and not explore the options that there were TWO or more WW2 period capstan winches for the MB/GPW.

Great to see dated documentation to support the seller's position. Maybe Jon could update the listing on winches and include this documented find. It will certainly help out those who have a three bolt capstan, and thought they were post war. The value of their item should double!

John.

[Gary25]

Guys,
I really didn't expect my posting for the winch assembly to stir so much debate, but I am glad I have the copy of the Willys blue print to back up my position (And the comments of Fred Coldwell) that the 3 stud Link Belt designed capstan head was developed during the war as a replacement for the Braden J2 winch head and is therefore correct for use on MB and GPW Jeeps. You can debate if the Link Belt capstan head and rope roller made it to the field before the war ended, but it is still possible that they did get purchased by the Army either in 1945 for late war deployment or post war deployment on the G503 series. Of coarse this is the kit that Willys aslo used on civilian Jeeps.

The earliest revision date I can make out on the blue print is 11/30/44 and the latest revision date is 2/1/45.

As mentioned, the blue print is a copy of a copy and it is a little difficult to make out some of the numbers, but below is a close up showing the proper part number for the new Link Belt capstan head and the mounting plate:



For reference purposes here is cross reference between the Braden winch head and mounting plate numbers vs. the Link Belt head and mounting plate number:


Braden Model J2 winch head part number: A9215 - , Braden Mounting Plate part number A-10282
Link Belt winch head part number: 640807-A, Link Belt Mounting Plate part number 640808-*

[Gary25]

I should point out that the blue print is very large (approx. 4' x 5' )

I also thought I would point out a few other interesting images from the Willys blue print. Notice in the drawing below that they show the rope as being mounted to the right fender. The part number for the rope is AE-17357-D and the part number for the the stowage straps is AE-17629-C. See below:



Below is a drawing which shows the winch assembly from the rear. The blue print also has detail drawings showing the Link Belt capstan head winch and roller assembly being installed on both Willys and Ford Jeeps.

(Note: another way to identify the Link Belt winch head the the us of the large hex nut plug used for the oil fill hole.

[Nikko]

Hi Gary
Thanks for posting the info:
Drawing on winch and the date & data wery mutch appriciated
also the drawing on :HOW TO STORE the winch rope on RIGHT FENDER
thanks again

Have a Great Weekend

Cheers FRom The North
Nikko

[Jenny43MB]

Rope on the right fender is very interesting and quite unique!

[rejomj]

thanks for the drawing