Help me identify this manual windlass

[BrianG]

I want to service this windlass but cannot see a fitting or a way to crack it open. It's quite hard to crank.Anyone recognize the brand? Boat was built in 1996.
https://ibb.co/ykvJyPd
https://ibb.co/zVBZbC2

 

[Ventana]

It is a Simpson Lawrence Sea Tiger 555.

 

[Ventana]

There should be a plate on the bottom that comes off to access the guts. Lots of info on line for those.

 

[FF]

The SL 555 is probably the best manual 2 speed windlass ever made , vert worth the time for a grease job.


The 555 was copied by the Chinese so beware should you ever need parts..

 

[BrianG]

The SL 555 is probably the best manual 2 speed windlass ever made , vert worth the time for a grease job.


The 555 was copied by the Chinese so beware should you ever need parts..

Can the greasing be done through the zerk fitting on the hand wheel? Or do I have to yank it off the deck?

 

[FF]

Old grease gets hard and needs to be cleaned out every decade or two.

The grease fitting lubes the shaft , but not the gears.

If it feels smooth with both speeds , continue till it gets heavy.with no load. .