I have a Warn 9.5cti-s, which came w/ the synthetic line, this two-piece yoke contraption, and a hook. I followed the directions, which had me install this yoke (you basically hammer a pin through both halves, and there's a cylinder that sits in the middle, with a notch in it, that keeps the pin from sliding out.



I apologize for the poor quality photo.

Here's the problem - I needed to remove the hook/yoke so I could install the new Hawse license plate mount I received, but I cannot get that damn pin out of the yoke to take it apart. I went to Warn's site, and now they show the hook directly attached through that eye in the winch line, and there's no mention of this two-piece yoke anymore in the online manual. I'm getting the impression (I ordered this winch right after it came out) that I really shouldn't even have this yoke thing on there, at all - and now it's causing me issues trying to even fish the line out through the hawse fairlead, since I can't remove it.

Here's what I tried - hammer + punch w/ flat tip + blocks of wood on each side of the yoke contraption. I managed to get the pin to move about 1/4" out, but that was it. The wood was getting indentations from the yoke, but that pin would NOT budge any further. Tried going the other direction, same thing. Even tried taking a nice chisel-looking punch, and trying to spread that center thing (since it looks like what is holding that pin from moving) - no dice.

So my two questions:

1) What is this thing for? Is it actually needed with the winch/synthetic line/hawse setup I have? I've searched online for 'winch yoke' and have had no luck figuring out what it is or if anybody else has removed them before. I'm using the term yoke, because that's what both halves of the thing say on them. I have no idea what it's really called.
2) Assuming I shouldn't have it/it's pointless, how in the hell do I remove it? Find someone with a torch/plasma cutter to remove that center retainer bit or cut the bolt at each end of the retainer bit so it could be removed? Either that or cut the side of the yoke attached to the winch cable VERY carefully so as to not melt the cable/plastic bit on it? (The hook can be removed by pulling a pin) I can't see any other way to get this stupid thing out.

Thank you!

 

I know this is no help.. But to me it doesn't look like its supposed to come back out. It looks like its on there to allow the hook to move up and down.

 

What bugs me is this came with my Warn winch, but if you go look at their product page on their own website:



The manual doesn't mention it now, either. Either the manual or paperwork that came with the winch told me to install it, and how to install it (beat on it with a hammer).

It's obvious they don't even use it. That's why I'm curious if I got something I shouldn't have since I probably have one of the first 9.5cti-s models, and if this yoke/whatever thing was necessary/useful, and if not, how to remove it and toss it in the garbage.

 

Have you call the folks at Warn?

I contacted them regarding a question on my 9.5cti and they were very helpful and friendly.

 

Not yet, I was trying to get this resolved before a trip tomorrow, but I guess I'll wait until Monday and ring them and try to figure it out then. I figured someone here might know what that thing is/was for, and if it was something I needed or not, because if it's useless, I'll just get someone to cut it off and toss it in the rubbish.

 

I guess you could just take your line off the winch then thread it through your new fairlead and re attach your line to the winch drum.

When I changed my fairlead that was my only choice since I have a thimble on my line!

No problem

 

These things have various names but where we get ours they are called quick-links. They are commonly used to repair a broken chain link and are claimed to be stronger than the original link. My shop has used them on occasion and the pin is fairly easy to drive in to put both halves together. The thimble in the centre is in fact designed to keep both halves together and the pin from falling out.

We have removed the pin by simply putting one half of the link in a vise and driving it out. Never had one not come out so I cant explain why yours wont. Try the vise method if you have one (remember to always wear safety glasses) and if not just get a torch and cut it off. I see no practical reason to have it in the application you are describing. Good luck.