Yale HW-C / HW-CS Spur Gear Wire Rope Winch

Model HW-C / HW-CS | Capacity 300 kg – 800 kg | Spur Gear Drive | Galvanised (HW-C) or Stainless Steel (HW-CS) | Lifting and Pulling | CE & UKCA Marked | German Engineered

The Yale HW-C and HW-CS are robust manual spur gear wire rope winches for fixed-position lifting and pulling across general industrial, marine and corrosion-prone environments. HW-C variants are galvanised steel for general workshop use; HW-CS variants are full stainless steel for marine, food-grade, chemical and wash-down environments where austenitic stainless outperforms zinc plating. Two capacity grades are available — 300 kg on the first rope layer with 5 mm wire rope (HW-C / HW-CS 30), and 800 kg on the first layer with 8 mm rope (HW-CS 80).

Key Features

• Galvanised or stainless steel construction: Material specification matched to operating environment. HW-C galvanised for general industrial use; HW-CS stainless for marine, food, chemical, and corrosion-prone environments where zinc plating would fail.
• Spur gear drive: Open spur gearing delivers consistent crank-handle force and reliable mechanical advantage. Robust mechanism designed for repeated daily duty.
• Two capacity grades: 300 kg (HW-C/CS 30) and 800 kg (HW-C/CS 80) cover the light-to-medium-duty range of fixed-position industrial lifting and pulling.
• Pre-fitted wire rope: Each winch ships ready to use with the correct rope diameter, length, and termination. Galvanised rope on HW-C; stainless rope on HW-CS.
• Lifting and pulling capability: Rated for both vertical lifting and horizontal pulling applications.
• Hand-cranked operation: Direct manual lifting; no power supply, hydraulic feed, or compressed air required.
• 1st-layer and top-layer ratings published: Clear capacity declaration at both rope-layer positions, allowing accurate lift planning.

Technical Specifications

The two-figure capacity rating (e.g. 300 / 120) shows the 1st-layer rated load (300 kg) and the top-layer rated load (120 kg) — capacity reduces as the drum fills with rope because the effective drum diameter increases, applying more mechanical disadvantage at the rope. Always plan lifts at the 1st-layer rating; the top-layer rating is the conservative limit for fully-wound operation. Full A-N dimensional data is available in the datasheet linked below.

More About This Product

The Yale HW-C and HW-CS are robust manual spur gear wire rope winches designed for fixed-position lifting and pulling applications across general industrial, marine, and corrosion-prone environments. The HW-C variants are galvanised steel for general workshop use; the HW-CS variants are full stainless steel for marine, food-grade, chemical, and wash-down environments where the corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel outperforms zinc plating. Two capacity grades are available — the HW-C / HW-CS 30 rated 300 kg on the first rope layer with 5 mm wire rope, and the HW-CS 80 rated 800 kg on the first layer with 8 mm rope. The spur gear drive mechanism delivers consistent crank-handle feel and reliable mechanical advantage across the lifting cycle.

Suitable Applications

The Yale HW-C and HW-CS range is the standard hand-cranked spur gear wire rope winch for fixed-position lifting and pulling. HW-C galvanised variants cover general workshop hoists, agricultural building installations, light material handling, equipment maintenance hoists in indoor industrial environments, and small-scale construction lifting. HW-CS stainless variants are specified for marine and dockside lifting (sailing centres, boat yards, fishing equipment), food and beverage production lines where contact equipment must be stainless, pharmaceutical and chemical handling, swimming pool and leisure facility installations, and coastal outdoor applications. The HW-C/CS 30 suits the 300 kg light-duty range; the HW-C/CS 80 covers heavier 800 kg applications. For higher capacities in stainless construction, see the Pfaff-Silberblau SW-K LB range (also available in stainless up to 900 kg). For the Yale RPE / CPE / VTEU powered winch ranges where automatic operation is required, contact our team for specifications.

How to Use the Yale HW-C / HW-CS

1. Verify the mounting: Confirm the mounting bolts remain fully torqued and the substrate is undamaged. The mounting must support the rated capacity plus an appropriate safety factor.
2. Verify material match: Confirm the winch variant (HW-C galvanised or HW-CS stainless) suits the installation environment.
3. Identify rope-layer position: If lifting at the 1st rope layer, use the higher rated capacity (300 kg / 800 kg). If lifting from the top layer with the rope nearly fully wound, use the conservative top-layer rating (120 kg / 400 kg).
4. Inspect the rope: Visually check the full working length for kinks, broken strands, or surface damage. Remove from service if any defect is found.
5. Attach the load: Connect the rope end to the load via a suitable rated hook, sling, or shackle. Ensure all connections are secure and safety latches engaged.
6. Verify the rope alignment: The rope should run cleanly from the drum through any guide or sheave to the load without rubbing against the housing.
7. Lift or pull the load: Crank the handle smoothly. The spur gear delivers consistent feel across the crank revolution.
8. Maintain a firm grip: Hand-cranked winches require the operator to maintain control of the crank handle throughout the lift cycle.
9. Lower the load: Crank the handle in the reverse direction at a controlled rate.

Warning:
Wire rope winches are lifting devices and must not be used to lift, lower, or transport personnel. Never exceed the rated capacity stamped on the winch body. Top-layer rated capacity is significantly lower than 1st-layer — observe the correct rating for the current rope position on the drum.

Safety Information

• Verify the mounting before each use — bolts torqued, substrate undamaged.
• Inspect the wire rope for the full working length each shift; remove from service at first sign of broken strands, kinks, or surface damage.
• Never exceed the rated capacity stamped on the winch body.
• Observe the rope-layer rating — top-layer capacity is much lower than 1st-layer capacity (e.g. 120 kg vs 300 kg on the 30-rated model).
• Never use the winch to lift, lower, or transport personnel.
• Maintain a firm grip on the crank handle throughout lifting and lowering.
• Keep at least three turns of rope on the drum at full extension — never run the rope off the drum.
• On HW-CS stainless variants, do not assume increased capacity — the stainless rating is corrosion-related, not strength-related; the HW-C and HW-CS at the same model number share identical capacity.
• Workplace operators must establish a Thorough Examination regime under LOLER 1998 / PUWER 1998 at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

Inspection and Maintenance

The HW-C and HW-CS are built for steady industrial duty with routine maintenance focused on the rope, mounting, and spur gear. Galvanised variants benefit from periodic inspection for corrosion at exposed surfaces, particularly at impact damage points. Stainless variants require routine cleaning to remove chloride deposits that can pit the surface in pool, marine, and food-production environments. Before each use, inspect the wire rope, check the mounting, and verify the crank handle is firmly fitted. The spur gear benefits from periodic light greasing per the OEM datasheet (use food-grade lubricant on stainless variants used in food-contact applications). Replacement wire ropes are available in both galvanised and stainless options. WOLFF Onsite provides LOLER-certified Thorough Examination, spare parts, and full overhaul for the Yale HW range.

Optional Accessories

• Replacement wire rope assemblies: Matched diameter, length, and material (galvanised or stainless), pre-terminated for each model.
• Wire rope pulley blocks (DSRB): Pfaff-Silberblau DSRB pulley blocks deflect the rope at 90° or 180° to reposition the working line or double the pulling capacity.
• Stainless steel mounting hardware: Matched stainless bolts and mounting plates for HW-CS variants — avoids galvanic corrosion at the mounting interface.
• Food-grade lubricants: For HW-CS variants used in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Downloads

• Yale HW-C / HW-CS Datasheet (EN, 2024) — full spec table and dimensional drawings for both galvanised and stainless variants (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions