TREWHELLA WINCHES

[N.O.S.]

I was thinking about a British Army winch, which I bought from an ex-ministry dealer (for my local railway society) in the early 70's, a Trewhella Monkey Winch. Brilliant piece of kit, if a little cumbersome compared to a Tirfor.

 

To my amazement, I discover these are still being made, by the same company!

 

They also still make a Wallaby Winch, again supplied to the army.

 

I imagine they were standard issue to REME units, but can anyone say if these winches had any other specific applications? Also, from what era - WW2?

[Richard Farrant]

I was thinking about a British Army winch, which I bought from an ex-ministry dealer (for my local railway society) in the early 70's, a Trewhella Monkey Winch. Brilliant piece of kit, if a little cumbersome compared to a Tirfor.

 

To my amazement, I discover these are still being made, by the same company!

 

They also still make a Wallaby Winch, again supplied to the army.

 

I imagine they were standard issue to REME units, but can anyone say if these winches had any other specific applications? Also, from what era - WW2?

 

 

Tony,

 

We mentioned Trewhella recently with the rope shorteners. When I was involved with winch and crane load testing for the army, we used to have Tirfors in, but on one occasion a Trewhella turned up, obviously quite old, looked like the Wallaby that you showed, much better hand winch to use, than a Tirfor although more cumbersome.Trewhella at one time advertised in the farming magazines, the Monkey winch, for pulling down trees, etc.

 

I think they were used in the war as part of REME equipment also a good chance the Engineers also used them. I seem to think they were originally an Australian company, hence the Wallaby name.

 

Richard

[Nick Johns]

We always knew them as the Trewhella tree winch, as you say a bit slow and cumbersome, we had a monkey winch years ago and it was often used to recover vehicles, got us out of trouble numerous times.

[Tony B]

Every home should have one. Much more versitile than a vehicle mounted whinch. Any idea where you can get one? Preferably ex military. The BRIXMIS crews used them and there are some good stories about using them to get away from the Narks.

[REME 245]

There is a series of video's available of British Army war-time training films. The one covering Recovery demonstrates one of these winches in use.

 

[R Cubed]

Try this they are still going !!!!!!!

 

http://www.trewhella.co.uk

[abn deuce]

never heard of them before , thanks for the information and the link , wonder why they never started a branch in the USA ?

[N.O.S.]

They started in Australia, then opened a factory in uK (natives were freindly).

 

You Americans - your idea of a winch is a %^&^*%$£ great Cat D8 with a chain - concept still the same though, hook up and work the (steering) lever backwards and fowards :whistle:

 

Probably never started in USA 'cos you guys are pretty good at building your own tools. I use U.S. drilling augers, nothing over here can touch them for quality of construction and correct use of alloy steel.

 

Lets see, what else from USA was good, well there was the 6x6 jimmy, (but that was a while ago now) - hmm, have to get back to you.......... :-D

[abn deuce]

I grant you most Americans would rather use something engine powered rather than something hand powered but if those winches are as strong and versatile as they claim I m sure the extreme off roaders and smaller construction outfits would find them a handy tool to have .

[Tony B]

I've used turfors for all sorts of weird and wonderful. They have as much power as motor winches and a lot more control you can feel the pull in.

[N.O.S.]

Rather than do the pressing job, the VAT return, I have just spoken to the proprietor of Trewhella. Some interesting facts -

 

* Each Hengist and Hawser GLIDER (Arnhem etc) had a Wallaby winch with collapsible handle (down to 12") stowed, for use if needed to unload equipment.

 

* Some Sherman tanks had a Monkey winch supplied as part of their standard equipment, stowed on the hull somewhere. He doesn't know for what purpose.

 

* Monkey winches are still made for export (Africa etc for tree pulling) but are hideously expensive, like you could buy 3 Chinese copy tirfors!

[Tony B]

* Monkey winches are still made for export (Africa etc for tree pulling) but are hideously expensive, like you could buy 3 Chinese copy tirfors!

 

Which would you trust your life to? ;-)

[utt61]

A resurrection to a very old thread....

 

I was rather saddened to learn yesterday that the firm of Trewhella Brothers went into liquidation early in May 2017, bringing to an end another chapter of British engineering. I found it strangely reassuring that up until now it was possible to buy spares for the Monkey and Wallaby winches, along with the rope shorteners, fence wire strainers, and other top qualtiy Trewhella products. Sadly no more.

So another British engineering name bites the dust. Very sad.

[Tony B]

Damm! I have actually now got one, my son picked it up for litterlly a couple of quid at a boot sale. 

[utt61]

I've just had a quick tally-up round the barn and found the rather startling total of four Monkey winches and three of the scarcer Wallaby winches!

Does this make me a bad person or just a weirdo? 

I may have to investigate remanufacturing the various springs used on these winches. Most other parts are easy enough to refurbish but the springs tend to fail and are all oddballs.

Edited November 14, 2017 by utt61

[Brian COOK]

Hello and thank you for letting me join your Forum.  I was reading "utt61" Post regarding his collection of Monkey Winches and the prospect of having to have new springs remanufactured.

I have to date found that the Monkey Winch is no longer manufactured by Trewhella Bros in the UK, hence no exports or spare parts available in the UK as a result of the Company going "belly up" in early 2017.

There IS now a manufacturer in India that is producing these winches!  I contacted the Company to see if they provided a spare parts back-up or would sell "replacement parts".  The answer was a flat "No".  There IS a seller in China...does not answer inquires.

OK that's the bad news!  The "GOOD NEWS" is there is a chap in Australia Dennis Trewhella (now the penny have have dropped for some already). Yes "Kin" of the Original Trewhella Brothers.  He is in his capacity of "keeper of all plans/schematics" Trewhella now out of kindness and consideration to keeping these winches/jacks running, making parts where possible.  He currently has replacement springs for the Monkey Winch and is in the process of having the cast sweeper remanufactured to original specs.  Enough of my ranting as a new member.  His contact e-mail is trewhellajacks@gmail.com so if chasing "odball springs" and such this chap may be able to assist.  Hope that helps.

[utt61]

Brian, welcome, and thank you for such a helpful first post! The news that spares may once again become available is very encouraging and welcome.

[chainsaw]

Morning all,

Sorry to piggy back on to this (Hope it might be of some use) but after hours of searching I've found a supplier for the Trewhella steel wire rope shortener used in the monkey winch system. please see link below if it doesn't work the company is OHL Accessories CEMS ltd Centinal they are a UK based company contact no 01905-748569. They do not have traditional Trewhella products but are manufacturing replica units.

Have been after one of these for years for my winching systems so very happy to finally (Hopefully) to be able to get one.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjwiaP69szjAhUsQhUIHYWCAwYQFjAIegQIBBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcentinalgroup.co.uk%2Fproduct%2Fsteel-wire-rope-shortener%2F&usg=AOvVaw0jWH1i0bhIo3KcAoJrhsrw

[neilalex]

Hi - I'm not all sure if this will be seen at all however I have a Trewhella Wallaby Winch sitting in my garage which I just don't use enough to justify keeping. I got it years ago when I was clearing some trees from my back garden. It has a plate on it that states it is tested to 7.5t. I was certainly stronger than even the large 3.5t tirfor. It is in good condition the odd kink in the wire rope but very sound mechanically. I'm minded just to put it on Ebay but like the idea of selling it to an enthusiast, hence this post.

[utt61]

The Wallaby is a great winch (for some reason I cannot explain I seem to have three in my winch collection) and I believe was was supplied as CES for some military recovery vehicles. I would hope that someone sees this post and wants it.

Trewhella winches of any kind are fairly scarce now, and although the original Monkey Winch comes up from time to time, Wallabys are much rarer. For those who don't know, they are also generally more useful since it is at least possible to lift one without being abnormally strong!

They really are very good winches indeed. 

[neilalex]

Thanks for your reply. Yes,  a very good winch indeed, beautifully engineered. I believe that Trewhella themselves described the winch in their literature as being their most advanced. Hopefully someone will see this as you say,  I'll give it a few days before putting it on Ebay etc.

[Tony B]

What sort of price are you asking?

[neilalex]

I've no idea if I'm honest. Monkey winches seem to go on Ebay fairly regularly for about £200. The Wallaby is far better and far rarer. Tirfor 32's go for £2/300 and upwards. £300 I guess. I can stick it on a pallet to most places for about £60 if people can't collect. I'm in Cheshire.

[Tony B]

Out of my bracket at the moment I'm afraid.

[MatchFuzee]

Never seen one working before,  very impressive.