Harbor Freight Tools 65115 Product manual

Owner’s Manual & Safety Instructions

Save This Manual Keep this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly,

operating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures. Write the product’s serial number in the
back of the manual near the assembly diagram (or month and year of purchase if product has no number).
Keep this manual and the receipt in a safe and dry place for future reference.

ITEM 65115

Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com

REV 14g

When unpacking, make sure that the product is intact

and undamaged. If any parts are missing or broken,

please call 1-888-866-5797 as soon as possible.

Copyright© 2008 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved.

No portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in

any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.

Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing

improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.

Tools required for assembly and service may not be included.

Email our technical support at: [e-mail]

Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.

SPECIFICATIONS

Max. Weight Capacity 1,200 lbs.

Drum Capacity Strap (Belt): 20’

Overall Dimensions

7-1/8” L x 6-1/2” W x 5-3/4” H
(without handle)

UNPACKING

When unpacking, check to make sure that
the item is intact and undamaged. If any parts are
missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools
at the number shown on the cover of this document
as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Assembly Precautions

1. Assemble only according to these

instructions. Improper assembly can create

hazards.

2. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles and

heavy-duty work gloves during assembly.

3. Keep assembly area clean and well lit.

4. Keep bystanders out of the area during

assembly.

5. Do not assemble when tired or when under

the influence of drugs or medication.

Specific Safety Precautions

1. Do not exceed 1,200 lb. max. load capacity.

Be aware of dynamic loading! Suddenly

starting or jerking against load may briefly

create excess load causing product failure.

2. Make sure Winch is properly bolted to stable

and secure structure or vehicle that can

support weight of Winch and load being

pulled.

3. Secure vehicle in position with emergency

brake and wheel chocks before using Winch.

Do not put vehicle in park or in gear during

use. Refer to vehicle’s owner’s manual for

proper connection points on vehicle.

4. For horizontal pulling only. Do not use for

vertical pulling.

5. When attaching load to be pulled, make sure

attachment device fits on Hook completely

and safety clasp closes properly. Do not pull

load if clasp does not fully close.

6. Use proper couplings when connecting Hook
to load.

7. Do not oil or grease the Lock Lever any part
of the brake mechanism. Apply Lock Lever
once load has been moved.

8. Keep hands and body clear of Gear Pinion
during use.

9. Do not use inappropriate attachments to
extend length of Strap.

10. Do not use to pull people.

11. Do not use for aircraft purposes.

12. Do not stand between Winch and load being
pulled during use. Do not step over or under
Strap during use.

13. Before mounting, verify that installation
surface has no hidden utility lines before
drilling or driving screws.

14. Do not attach Hook to load when Strap is
fully extended. Keep at least five full turns of
Strap on Drum.

15. After moving load with Winch, secure load.
Do not use Winch to hold load for extended
period of time.

16. Do not move vehicle with Strap extended and
attached to load. Strap could snap, causing
serious injury and/or property damaged.

17. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles and
heavy-duty work gloves during use and when
handling Strap.

18. Inspect before use; do not use if parts are
loose or damaged.

19. Re-spool Strap properly in smooth, even
pattern.

20. If loading boat onto trailer without keel or side
hull rollers, make sure trailer is submerged
in water when boat is loaded by Winch.
Dragging boat onto trailer while on land can
lead to Winch failure and potential personal
injury and/or property damage.

21. This product is not a toy. Do not allow
children to play with or near this item.

22. Use for intended purpose(s) only.

23. After use, store in secure and dry location
out of reach of children.

24. Maintain product labels and nameplates.
These carry important safety information.

Item 65115 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Page 2

If unreadable or missing, contact
Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

5. Using the proper hardware, secure Winch to
vehicle mounting frame.

ASSEMBLY AND MOUNTING

INSTRUCTIONS

Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT

SAFETY INFORMATION section at the
beginning of this document including
all text under subheadings therein
before set up or use of this product.

Mounting

1. Align the Winch on the vehicle mounting
frame (not supplied). Use a marker (not
included) to make drill marks though the
mounting holes at the front of the Winch and
through the mounting slot and the back of
Winch.

2. WARNING! The Winch should be aligned
and secured to a solid and flat part of the
vehicle that is able to withstand the weight of
Winch and the 1,200 lb. max. load capacity
for 65115 Winch and the 2,000 lb. max. load
capacity for 98923 Winch.

3. Remove Winch and drill three 5/16” holes for
the mounting of the front part of frame. See
Figure 1, above.

Mounting Holes

Fig. 1

Mounting Hole

Figure 2

Assembly

1. Use the Screw and Locking Nut to attach
Crank Handle to hexagonal head of Gear
Pinion.

2. Use the Hex Wrench to tighten the Screw
and Locking Nut until Crank Handle is
secured in place. See Figure 3, below.

Crank

Handle (10)

Hex Wrench

Screw

Figure 3

4. Drill 5/16” holes for the mounting slot at the
rear part of frame. See Figure 2, above.

Item 65115 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Page 3

OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. To wind Belt Strap (29) around Drum (4) or
unwind Strap without load, pull Lock Lever
(20) out and towards the FRONT of Winch.
See Figure 4, below. The Drum is now free
to turn.

Lock Lever

(20)

Hook (30)

2. Turn Crank Handle (10) clockwise to wind
Strap (without load) around Drum. Please
note: Make sure Crank Handle is fastened
securely to side of Winch.

3. To unwind Belt Strap, turn Crank Handle
counterclockwise.

4. Once desired length of Strap is reached, use
Hook (30) to fasten Winch to load.

5. To lock the Winch in place and move a load,
pull Lock Lever out and then towards the
BACK of the Winch. This will set the Lock
Lever into the Gear Pinion (9).

6. To pull load, turn Crank Handle clockwise.
WARNING! Make sure load is secure and
stable before pulling.

7. WARNING! The Pinion must be locked into
place before pulling. Otherwise, kickback
could occur which can lead to potential
property damaged and/or serious personal
injury.

Figure 4

Crank

Handle (10)

Item 65115 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Page 4

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING

Procedures not specifically explained
in this manual must be performed
only by a qualified technician.

TO PREVENT

SERIOUS INJURY TO

PREVENT SERIOUS
INJURY FROM TOOL FAILURE:
Do not use damaged equipment. If
abnormal noise or vibration occurs,
have the problem corrected before
further use.

Cleaning and Maintenance,

1. BEFORE EACH USE, inspect the general
condition of the Winch. Check for loose
screws, misalignment or binding of moving
parts, cracked or broken parts and any other
condition that may affect its safe operation.

2. AFTER USE, clean external surfaces of the
appliance with clean, moist cloth.

3. WARNING! If the Belt Strap of Winch is

damaged, it must be replaced immediately
before further use.

Item 65115 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Page 5

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY

THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM IN THIS DOCUMENT AS A
REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO
REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS
AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY THE BUYER. THE
BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS
THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO.

65115 HAND WINCH PARTS LIST & ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM

Part Description Qty.

3 Nut (M5) 1
4 Drum 1
5 Retaining Sleeve 1
6 Base 1
7 Circlip (Ø12) 1
8 Bolt (M10 x 105) 1

9 Gear Pinion 1
10 Crank Handle 1
11 Screw (M5 x 30) 1
12 Large Bushing 1
13 Circlip (Ø26) 1
14 Screw (M6 x 12) 2
15 Spring Washer (Ø6) 2
16 Retaining Pinion 1

Part Description Qty.

17 Circlip (Ø10) 1
18 Circlip (Ø20) 1
19 Small Bushing 1
20 Lock Lever 1
21 Washer (Ø10) 1
22 Lever Cap 1
23 Torsion Spring 1
24 Lock Nut (M10) 1
25 Washer 1
26 Spring Washer 1
27 Screw (M6 x 12) 1
28 Belt Pin 1
29 Belt 1
30 Hook 1

Item 65115 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Page 6

Record Serial Number Here:

Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead.

Note: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only, and are not available

individually as replacement parts.

Item 65115 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Page 7

Limited 90 Day Warranty

Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability
standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials
and workmanship for the period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to
damage due directly or indirectly, to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside
our facilities, criminal activity, improper installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We
shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special
or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation of exclusion may not apply
to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges
prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise.
If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may
elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will
return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted
from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost of returning the product.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to
state.

3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • 1-888-866-5797