A Winch in Time

(Page 3 of 3)

Kirk Unzelman
December/January 2003
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A rather elaborate set of instructions is engraved on a plate on the chain guard. The two gearboxes, plus the 'handle dog,' make for a lot of levers to pull and push. In general, a high gear ratio was used to pull in the slack cable through all the tackle, then the operator switched to a lower gear for heavy pulling. Another plate on the control handle identifies the manufacturer as the 'Evans Clearing Corp.'

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A row of case SI winch tractors ready for shipment to South Africa, parked in front of the Evans headquaters in Gloucester, Va., in the late 1940's. The old Evans headquaters is now an auto parts store and antique mall. (Photo courtesy Bill Dehardit)

The End of Evans Winches

The development of modern earth-moving equipment after World War II (with items such as hydraulic backhoes and large dozers coming to the market) spelled doom for the Evans land-clearing winch tractors. When Evans died in 1950 at the age of 66, his nephew took over the company. By this time, sales of Evans winches were in decline, a trend that continued until the company was eventually forced to close a few years later.

Alfred Evans' handsome headquarters and manufacturing building in Gloucester is now an auto parts store and antique mall. Even so, some of his winch tractors are still alive and well. They're rolling - and working - tributes to his inventive skills and relentless drive.

I am grateful to Betty Jean Deal, director of the Gloucester Museum of History, for her help in tracking down sources of information; to Bill DeHardit of Gloucester, who shared a wealth of history and photos of the Alfred Evans Clearing Corp.; and to Mike Intlekofer for research assistance.

Ray Gay, owner of the complete and functional Case SI winch tractor, can be reached at: P.O. Box 5, Ellensburg, WA 98926.

Kirk Unzelman has been, at various times, a cowboy, rancher, farmer, army medic, truck driver and mechanic. He is devoting his retirement years to finding, restoring and displaying antique farm equipment. Contact him at: 4635 130th Ave. S.E., Bellevue, WA 98006.

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