Adding Cranks to my Iceshack?

[OtterNate]

I was wondering if anyone could could help me with some directions/diagrams to add some cranks to my perm. fishhouse. Currently it takes two guys to push the springs down to get the bolt through the hole. Which is way too much work. I'm trying to replicate other crank down houses but don't have a real good picture of how this is done. I think the biggest question in my mind is how to attach the cable to the spring etc. I realize I need a winch with cable, some sort of pully and then a way to attach it to my spring. Maybe if others can send me some pictures to give me a better idea of how to go about adding them that would be great. Also if anyone has any ideas and/or suggestions I would appreciate them. Thanks guys!

[arbuck]

To attatch the cable to the spring you could just wrap it over the spring (make a loop) close to the spring eye and then use cable clamps to hold the cable together I have seen many done this way. I would use the cable clamps that are like little U-bolts that fit into a saddel like a heavy duty mini muffler clamp and are tightened with lock nuts. I would also use a couple of clamps per side.

Let me know if this doesn't make sence and I will try to explain it better or see if I can find some pics.

arbuck

[Hookmaster]

OtterNate, what is the brand of the house you have?

[OtterNate]

It's a house that someone built a long time ago. I'm just trying to upgrade it and make it a little more user friendly. Actually it would just be nice to be able to move it by myself and not have to have someone else help me with the springs etc. Any photos or diagrams are wellcome. Thanks guys!

Nate

[FEZ HUNT]

Most of the ones I've seen or built use a link of chain or a large nut and weld it right to the leafspring and then loop the cable through it and use the cable clamps.

[norm]

Most of the manufactured fish houses I've seen have the leaf spring inside a piece of square steel tubing with just the end of it sticking out. I don't know the reason for this, maybe it's less likeley to twist? Lots of houses have it set up like this so there must be a reason for it. Just thought I'd give ya a heads up.

[Farley]

When you loop the wire thru the leaf spring, dont leave yourself too much excess wire, or put the cable clamps as close to the leaf spring as possible. Unless you mount your pully well beneath the hole (the hole for the pin to go thru the spring), the cable clamps will hit the pully before you are lined up with the hole.

I ran into this problem out on the ice after busting our wire. Needless to say, I wasnt a happy camper. Not a major problem, but a time saver.