Reel designed and built by Rich Sacher.
Some things to note above:
- center-mounted long-shaft starter motor with idler bearing;
- spring-loaded arm keeps tension on the belt during rewinding;
- coil cord allows the operator to stand back from the moving spool;
- #2 welding cable - connects to both battery terminals;
- 1/8" aluminum side plates with bearings inside spool.
- First 100 feet of line is red, as is the last 100 feet. Splices are coated
with white silicone bathtub caulk.
This reel has been in constant use
for over 10 years, the cylinder (far left and cut off) was placed in service
in 1982.
It's connected to the truck with a loop of webbing tied with a water knot.
Idler pulley arm was taken off a
year after this photo. The spring was connected closer to the large pulley
to ease the pull somewhat.