Woodhead E, EA ,EL User Manual

E, EA & EL Series Balancer

Service Manual

AERO-MOTIVE COMPANY

A Woodhead Industries, Inc. Subsidiary

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Please read this manual carefully and follow its instructions. Improper use or failure to follow these instructions could
result in serious injury, death or property damage. Operators should be instructed in the safe and proper use and
maintenance of this product. Keep this manual for future reference.

The following safety precautions call attention to potentially dangerous conditions.

DANGER:

WARNING:

CAUTION:

NOTE: Instruct operators in the safe, proper use and maintenance. Keep this manual for future reference.

Immediate hazards which WILL result in severe personal injury or death.

Hazards or unsafe practices which COULD result in severe personal injury or death.

Hazards or unsafe practices which MAY result in minor personal injury or product or
property damage.

INSTALLATION

WARNING:

CAUTION:

MOUNTING

Hang balancer in the desired location by the shackle provided at the top. The balancer should be
suspended directly over work area using an eyebolt or similar device with a break strength exceeding 6
times the combined weight of the balancer and the load it is supporting. Balancer should be mounted in
such a manner as to minimize cable contact with the cable guide. For proper alignment, utilize the three
mounting holes at the top of balancer. If shackle is removed to make the connections, be sure that the
nut and cotter pin are properly replaced on the shackle pin.

Failure to read, understand or follow these instructions could lead to hazards or unsafe
practices COULD result in severe personal injury or death.

Instruct operators in the safe, proper use and maintenance of this product. Hazards or
unsafe practices MAY result in minor personal injury or product or property damage.

SECONDARY SUPPORT CHAIN

WARNING:

A boss with a hole has been provided at the side of the housing to permit installation of a secondary
support chain. All balancers mounted over head should have a secondary support chain to protect
personnel in case of structure or mounting component failure. Attach one end of secondary support
chain or cable to secondary support point on balancer. Attach the other end of secondary support chain
or cable to a support component other than that which supports the balancer. The chain or cable should
be as short as possible allowing the balancer to drop no more than 6 to 12 inches if the primary
connection is released. See illustration below. Secondary chain is offered as an accessory item.

A secondary safety cable or chain must be attached to all balancers mounted overhead to
prevent balancer from falling. Immediate hazards which WILL result in severe personal
injury or death.

OPERATION

TOOL ATTACHMENT

WARNING:

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Never pull cable to device to be retracted. Always lift object to hook. If the hook is
accidentally released when it is extended, it will snap back. Hazards or unsafe practices
which COULD result in

severe

personal injury or death.

When attaching tool to lower hook,
the tool should be lifted to the hook
rather than pulling empty hook out
against the reel tension. The drum
lock can be engaged to prevent
cable from retracting (see
illustration under “Tool
Replacement”). The retaining latch
on lower hook must be snapped
back in the closed position after tool
is attached.

SPRING TENSION ADJUSTMENT

NOTE: Attach full load including all attachments before adjusting tension. Only use adjusting nut to set

tension. If tension is removed well below the rated range of the balancer during spring
adjustment, automatic lock will engage. It will be necessary to apply more tension to release lock.

If weight of tool exceeds amount of existing tension of the balancer
mainspring, cable will descend. Spring tension can be adjusted by
turning adjustment nut clockwise to increase tension or
counterclockwise to decrease tension. If tension exceeds the load,
the tool will move upward. The adjustment is accomplished through
a worm gear. The 30:1 gear requires many turns to significantly
affect tension. If cable does not reach full extension, some tension
must be released. After adjusting tension, pull cable to fullest
extension to insure proper travel is achieved. If proper tension
cannot be achieved, consult factory.

SPOT BRAKE (EL SERIES)

NOTE: See “Automatic Lock” if Balancer locks up.

A spot brake is provided for fine adjustment to eliminate any “creeping” tendency. This adjustment is
made only if desired and after adjustment, as explained in “Spring Tension Adjustment”. To adjust, loosen
lock nut and back up the brake adjusting screw until balancer works freely. Next, apply pressure to spot
brake by moving adjustment screw in or out until desired setting is reached. Reset lock when adjustment
is completed.

AUTOMATIC LOCK

NOTE: If tension is removed well below the rated range of the Balancer during spring adjustment, the lock

will engage. It will be necessary to apply more tension to release the lock.

If a spring should break or lose tension for any reason, an automatic pin lock will engage to prevent drum
from turning. Lock will disengage when tension is applied to a new spring.

RATCHET LOCK (EL SERIES)

The ratchet/holding lock (separate from automatic lock) will function in
three positions per revolution, providing five to six inch increments. To
hold, pull cable down to desired height, halt, and let lock engage. To
disengage, simply pull cable down slightly, permitting the lock to
release. Cable will retract until end of travel, or until lock is re-engaged.
If ratchet lock is not required, it can be disengaged by moving the pin in
the housing downward and engaging hook-shaped lock arm over it.

CABLE STOP ADJUSTMENT

NOTE: Moving cable stop will reduce the active travel distance.

Relocating cable stop is not recommended. Rather, overhang cable assembly (see replacement parts,
Accessory “A”) is recommended.

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