Lonestar Goliad winch & handle

[cphanson]

I ordered the Lonestar Goliad System through PMCA on Thursday, September 4. The bulk of it arrived Saturday, September 27. Although erecting the system seems fairly straightforward, I am stymied by the winch and handle. The instructions which came with the system state "Attach winch handle to the winch spool between the two nuts". That doesn't work. That is, there is nothing on the winch into which I can insert the end of the handle (such as the "square shaft" discussed in the next sentence), so the handle simply spins around and, I suspect, will not raise or lower the houses/gourd attachment. I found an "AI Overview" which instructed me to "...locate the winch's square shaft protruding from the internal compartment (and then) slide the handle on this square shaft and secure it by threading the existing nut onto the shaft". Huh? There is no "square shaft protruding..." So, what's the deal? I have called Lonestar on two occasions, looking for some simple guidance, and was told that "Matt" is the individual to whom I should talk. So far, however, I have not received a return call from him or anyone else at Lonestar. I'm not dense, and this should be an easy issue to resolve, but for the life of me I have no clue how to successfully attach the winch so it will work to raise and lower the houses and add on gourds.
P. S. - My existing gourd and rope/pulley system (no winch) seems so much more efficient than this winch.
Help!
Carl Hanson

[flyin-lowe]

I don't have that specific unit, but it might help if you post some pictures of the winch/setup in question.

[cphanson]

More photos.

[cphanson]

Two more pics.

[C.C.Martins]

Sir, iv one exactly like that, same set up. Try tightening the inner nut holding the handle just a tad. It took a bit of tweeking here too, I started going out with a crescent wrench until it behaved. Hooe this helps.

[cphanson]

Matt, from Lonestar, called me this morning. He confirmed what C. C. Martins implied - that is, Matt instructed me to simply tighten the heck out of the screws on either side of the handle, which action should cause the handle to stay in place and allow the houses, etc. to be raised and lowered. That does not SOUND like it will solve the problem, and I'm still confused why Lonestar didn't just flatten the bolt, allow the handle to fit into the flat area, and then instruct the user to tighten the screw over the handle. However, based on what both Matt instructed and what C. C. Martins suggested, I'll attach the winch and handle to the pole, tighten the screws, and hope it works. Thanks.

[C.C.Martins]

Good of him to get back with you. Once this irons out I think you and your martins will really enjoy the house. Its a thing of beauty, easy to manage and I couldn't be happier with it.