Piston Air Winches for Oilfield Lifting and Pulling

Description

Goldenman QJ Series Air Winches are compact pneumatic drum winches designed for controlled lifting, pulling, positioning and material-handling operations on drilling rigs, workover rigs, offshore platforms, vessels, mines and industrial sites.

The series uses a piston-type air motor to drive the winch drum through a mechanical transmission.

Available models provide maximum page-reference pulling forces from 5 to 50 kN, rope-storage capacities from 40 to 220 m, and compatible wire-rope diameters from 8 to 19 mm.

The complete QJ range includes:

QJL0.5/40(A)
QJ0.5/120(A)
QJ1/100(A)
QJ3/200(B)
QJ5/120(B)
QJ5/220(B)

Model selection should be based on the required line pull, lifting or pulling duty, rope length, drum layer, line speed, compressed-air pressure, control arrangement, brake system, mounting interface and environmental conditions.

Product Short Description

Goldenman QJ Air Winches use compressed air to provide controllable drum rotation without requiring an electric motor at the winch.

Six standard models cover light positioning work through 50 kN oilfield lifting and hauling applications.

Remote-control, automatic-brake and different mounting or connection arrangements are available according to the selected model and approved configuration.

The final lifting capacity, line speed and rope storage must be confirmed for the specified drum layer, wire rope and operating air pressure.

Product Highlights

Piston-type pneumatic motor
Six QJ Series model configurations
Maximum reference pull from 5 to 50 kN
Rope-storage capacity from 40 to 220 m
Wire-rope diameters from 8 to 19 mm
Operating-air-pressure range of 0.5–0.9 MPa
Compact mechanical construction
Variable operating speed through air control
Forward and reverse drum rotation
Remote-control options on selected models
Automatic-brake options on selected models
Plate, flange or threaded connection options
Suitable for drilling and workover rig-floor duties
Suitable for offshore, marine and industrial handling
Replaceable motor, brake and transmission components
Functional, brake and pneumatic leakage testing
Model-specific spare-parts packages available
Custom mounting and control arrangements available

QJ Series Technical Specifications

Model	Operating Air Pressure	Maximum Pull	Maximum Line Speed	Rope Storage	Wire Rope Diameter	Overall Dimensions	Reference Weight
QJL0.5/40(A)	0.5–0.9 MPa	5 kN / approx. 0.55 ton-force	12 m/min	40 m	8 mm / 5/16 in	495 × 365 × 380 mm	45 kg
QJ0.5/120(A)	0.5–0.9 MPa	5 kN / approx. 0.55 ton-force	24 m/min	120 m	8 mm / 5/16 in	675 × 343 × 460 mm	117 kg
QJ1/100(A)	0.5–0.9 MPa	10 kN / approx. 1.1 ton-force	12 m/min	100 m	11 mm / 7/16 in	825 × 343 × 450 mm	162 kg
QJ3/200(B)	0.5–0.9 MPa	30 kN / approx. 3.3 ton-force	35 m/min	200 m	15.875 mm / 5/8 in	1,340 × 940 × 985 mm	600 kg
QJ5/120(B)	0.5–0.9 MPa	50 kN / approx. 5.5 ton-force	20 m/min*	120 m	15.875 mm / 5/8 in	1,300 × 940 × 985 mm	580 kg
QJ5/220(B)	0.5–0.9 MPa	50 kN / approx. 5.5 ton-force	12 m/min	220 m	19 mm / 3/4 in	1,360 × 890 × 750 mm	800 kg

Understanding the QJ Model Designation

The QJ model designation generally provides a reference to pulling-force class and rope-storage capacity.

Examples include:

QJ1/100: approximately 10 kN pull and 100 m rope capacity
QJ3/200: approximately 30 kN pull and 200 m rope capacity
QJ5/120: approximately 50 kN pull and 120 m rope capacity
QJ5/220: approximately 50 kN pull and 220 m rope capacity

The model designation should not replace the approved technical datasheet.

The quotation and nameplate must still state:

Maximum permitted line pull
Rope diameter
Rope-storage capacity
Operating pressure
Maximum line speed
Brake configuration
Mounting arrangement
Intended service

QJL0.5/40(A) Air Winch

The QJL0.5/40(A) is the smallest and lightest model in the QJ range.

Reference specifications include:

Maximum pull: 5 kN
Maximum line speed: 12 m/min
Rope capacity: 40 m
Wire rope: 8 mm
Weight: approximately 45 kg

It may be considered for:

Light material positioning
Tool handling
Small rig-floor loads
Workshop lifting support
Mobile service units
Applications requiring a compact, portable winch

The “L” designation should be confirmed from the current model drawing rather than interpreted without factory documentation.

QJ0.5/120(A) Air Winch

The QJ0.5/120(A) provides the same reference pulling force as the QJL0.5/40 but carries substantially more wire rope.

Reference specifications include:

Maximum pull: 5 kN
Maximum line speed: 24 m/min
Rope capacity: 120 m
Wire rope: 8 mm
Weight: approximately 117 kg

It is suitable where longer line reach is more important than increased pulling capacity.

QJ1/100(A) Air Winch

The QJ1/100(A) provides a 10 kN reference pull with 100 m rope capacity.

It may be used for:

General rig-floor material handling
Tool positioning
Pipe and equipment pulling
Workover-rig support
Marine-deck handling
Workshop and industrial applications

The 11 mm wire-rope specification and mounting interface should be confirmed before ordering replacement rope.

QJ3/200(B) Air Winch

The QJ3/200(B) combines a 30 kN reference pull with the highest published line speed in the standard series.

Reference specifications include:

Maximum pull: 30 kN
Maximum line speed: 35 m/min
Rope capacity: 200 m
Wire rope: 15.875 mm
Weight: approximately 600 kg

It may be selected for applications requiring:

Longer rope travel
Faster line movement
Medium-duty pulling capacity
Repeated rig-floor handling cycles
Automatic-brake configuration

High line speed requires careful control near the load, drum and end-of-travel positions.

QJ5/120(B) Air Winch

The QJ5/120(B) is a compact 50 kN-class pneumatic winch.

Reference specifications include:

Maximum pull: 50 kN
Reference line speed: 20 m/min, subject to Goldenman confirmation
Rope capacity: 120 m
Wire rope: 15.875 mm
Weight: approximately 580 kg

This model may be used for:

Heavy rig-floor material handling
Pipe and equipment positioning
Oilfield pulling operations
Marine and offshore deck duties
Workover and drilling-rig support

The current Goldenman page should not continue publishing 35 m/min unless the supplied Goldenman configuration has been independently verified at that speed.

QJ5/220(B) Air Winch

The QJ5/220(B) provides the longest rope-storage capacity in the current QJ Series.

Reference specifications include:

Maximum pull: 50 kN
Maximum line speed: 12 m/min
Rope capacity: 220 m
Wire rope: 19 mm
Weight: approximately 800 kg

It may be selected when the application requires:

Long vertical or horizontal travel
Heavy pulling capacity
Large rope storage
Offshore or drilling-platform installation
Extended-distance hauling

The larger rope and drum configuration increases total equipment weight and installation-space requirements.

Operating Principle

Compressed air enters the piston-type air motor through the control valve.

The air motor converts air pressure and flow into rotary motion. The mechanical transmission then drives the winch drum.

Depending on control-valve position, the drum can:

Wind in the wire rope
Stop and hold
Pay out the wire rope under control
Reverse direction

The winch’s operating performance depends on:

Air pressure
Air-flow capacity
Hose diameter
Valve flow capacity
Air cleanliness
Drum layer
Wire-rope diameter
Mechanical condition
Load direction
Brake adjustment

Air Pressure and Air-Flow Requirements

The standard QJ Series pressure range is listed as:

0.5–0.9 MPa / approximately 72–130 psi

Pressure alone does not confirm that the rig air system can operate the winch correctly.

The compressed-air system must also provide adequate flow.

The quotation should define:

Required air consumption
Minimum operating pressure at the winch inlet
Maximum permitted pressure
Air-inlet connection
Hose inside diameter
Maximum hose length
Filter requirement
Moisture separator
Lubricator
Pressure regulator
Isolation valve
Exhaust arrangement

Long or undersized hoses can cause pressure loss and reduced line pull.

Maximum Pull and Drum Layer

The maximum-pull value must be linked to the drum layer on which it is measured.

As wire rope builds up on the drum:

Effective drum diameter increases
Available line pull decreases
Line speed increases
Rope capacity is consumed

The final datasheet should clearly state whether maximum pull is measured at:

Bare drum
First rope layer
A specified working layer
Full drum

Buyers should not assume that the listed maximum pull is available at every drum layer.

Maximum Pull Is Not Safe Working Load

Maximum line pull and permitted lifted load are not automatically the same.

The complete lifting calculation should consider:

Winch rating
Drum layer
Wire-rope rating
Sheave efficiency
Number of line parts
Hook and lifting accessory ratings
Dynamic effects
Load acceleration
Load angle
Site safety factor
Brake holding capacity
Supporting structure

The maximum permitted operating load is limited by the lowest-rated part of the complete system.

Line Speed Under Load

Published maximum line speed is normally a reference performance value under specified air and load conditions.

Actual line speed may change with:

Suspended load
Air pressure
Air flow
Drum layer
Hose restriction
Motor wear
Ambient temperature
Control-valve opening

Maximum line speed and maximum pull should not be assumed to occur simultaneously.

A project requiring precise speed control should state:

Minimum speed
Maximum speed
Required loaded speed
Required low-speed control
Acceleration limits
Deceleration limits

Model Suffixes and Options

A Configuration

The “A” designation indicates that the winch may be supplied with a remote-control arrangement.

The final quotation should confirm:

Local or remote control
Control-valve type
Control distance
Hose length
Emergency-stop arrangement
Spring-return or detented control
Neutral position

B Configuration

The “B” designation indicates that the winch may be equipped with an automatic brake.

The brake configuration should identify:

Brake type
Fail-safe behaviour
Holding capacity
Release method
Adjustment procedure
Wear limits
Manual release provision

Mounting or Connection Suffix

The QJ5/120 configuration may use suffixes identifying:

F: flange connection
L: threaded connection
No suffix: plate connection

The exact interface dimensions must be shown on the approved installation drawing.

Automatic Brake

A lifting-duty air winch requires a reliable load-holding system.

The brake should be selected according to:

Maximum suspended load
Drum torque
Rope layer
Load direction
Required stopping distance
Duty cycle
Emergency condition
Applicable site requirements

Before operation, verify that the brake:

Engages fully
Releases correctly
Holds the specified test load
Has adequate friction material
Has no oil contamination
Has no cracked or damaged components
Is adjusted to the approved setting

The air motor alone must not be relied upon to hold a suspended load.

Remote-Control Arrangement

Remote control can allow the operator to stand in a position with better visibility and reduced exposure to the rope and load path.

The control station should provide:

Clear wind-in and pay-out identification
Neutral or stop position
Controlled return to neutral where required
Emergency air isolation
Protection against accidental operation
Adequate view of the load or communication with a signaler

Remote controls should not be positioned where the operator must stand inside the wire-rope danger zone.

Air Winch vs Hydraulic Winch

Comparison	QJ Air Winch	YJ Hydraulic Winch
Power source	Compressed air	Hydraulic power unit
Main drive	Piston air motor	Hydraulic motor
Speed control	Air-flow and valve control	Hydraulic-flow control
Torque generation	Depends on air pressure and motor	Depends on hydraulic pressure and motor
Supporting equipment	Compressor and air-treatment system	HPU, reservoir, valves, hoses and cooling
Typical advantage	Simple pneumatic drive where rig air is available	High low-speed torque and hydraulic-system integration
Maintenance focus	Air motor, lubrication, moisture and brake	Hydraulic cleanliness, seals, cooling and pressure control
Goldenman product page	QJ Series Air Winches	Separate YJ Hydraulic Winches page

The two product families should be internally linked but should not share one specification table.

Lifting, Pulling and Positioning Applications

QJ Air Winches can be configured for:

Rig-floor material handling
Tool lifting
Equipment positioning
Pipe and hose pulling
Workover-rig support
Offshore-platform deck handling
Marine-deck operations
Mine and industrial hauling
Workshop lifting support
General utility pulling

The exact winch must be approved for its intended lifting or pulling duty.

A pulling-only configuration should not automatically be used for suspended lifting.

Not for Personnel Lifting

Standard QJ Air Winches must not be described or used as:

Man-riding winches
Personnel hoists
Escape winches
Work-basket winches
Personnel-transfer systems

Personnel lifting requires a purpose-designed and specifically certified system with appropriate:

Redundant braking
Overspeed protection
Emergency lowering
Control redundancy
Load monitoring
Personnel-lifting certification

No personnel should ride on the hook, rope, load or lifting attachment of a standard material-handling winch.

Hazardous-Area Considerations

Pneumatic drive can be selected where an air-powered machine is preferred over an electric motor at the winch.

However, the complete installation must still be reviewed for:

Area classification
Static electricity
Mechanical sparks
Surface temperature
Lubricant compatibility
Air exhaust
Control equipment
Wire-rope contact
Site certification requirements

The phrase “explosion-proof air winch” should not be used unless the complete supplied product has the necessary certification.

Wire-Rope Selection

Wire rope must be selected according to:

Winch model
Rope diameter
Drum-groove design
Drum capacity
Maximum line pull
Sheave diameter
Number of line parts
Bending-fatigue requirements
Corrosion environment
Minimum breaking load
End termination

Do not replace the specified wire rope with a different diameter without reviewing:

Drum capacity
Groove fit
Fleet angle
Line pull
Rope termination
Brake torque
Guard clearance

Rope Storage and Usable Rope Length

Published rope storage represents drum capacity under a defined rope diameter and winding arrangement.

Usable working length may be lower because sufficient dead wraps must remain on the drum.

The operating procedure should define:

Minimum dead wraps
Maximum permitted rope layers
Usable travel
End-of-rope marking
Drum-anchor inspection
Rope replacement criteria

The full rated load must not be transferred solely through the rope-end attachment.

Installation Requirements

Before installing the winch, confirm:

Mounting location
Supporting-structure capacity
Bolt pattern
Baseplate dimensions
Rope direction
Fleet angle
Sheave position
Air-supply route
Control position
Brake access
Maintenance clearance
Drum-removal clearance
Guarding
Drainage and corrosion protection

The support structure must resist:

Maximum line pull
Brake reaction
Dynamic load
Off-axis pull
Vibration
Repeated operating cycles

Fleet Angle and Rope Alignment

Poor rope alignment can cause:

Rope piling on one drum side
Cross-winding
Rope crushing
Flange contact
Uneven drum loading
Reduced rope life
Sudden rope movement

The lead sheave should be positioned so the rope enters the drum at an acceptable angle.

Where necessary, the system may require:

Level-wind device
Guide rollers
Fairlead
Additional sheave
Revised winch position

Safe Operating Considerations

Before operation:

Confirm the winch model and intended duty.
Inspect the wire rope and termination.
Test the brake without load.
Check air pressure and air treatment.
Inspect the mounting bolts.
Verify the rope path.
Keep personnel clear of the line of pull.
Confirm load weight and lifting accessories.
Test controls at low speed.
Establish communication between the operator and signaler.

During operation:

Apply load gradually.
Avoid shock loading.
Keep the rope correctly wound.
Do not side-load the drum excessively.
Stop if the rope piles or crosses.
Do not exceed the approved pull or lifted load.
Never stand over or straddle a tensioned wire rope.
Do not leave a suspended load unattended.

Common Operating Problems

Low Pulling Force

Possible causes include:

Low inlet pressure
Insufficient air flow
Undersized hose
Restricted filter
Air leakage
Motor wear
Excessive drum layers
Brake drag
Overloaded winch

Slow Line Speed

Possible causes include:

Low air flow
Restricted valve
Long supply hose
Motor contamination
Poor lubrication
Excessive load
Frozen moisture in the air system

Winch Does Not Hold the Load

Possible causes include:

Brake wear
Incorrect brake adjustment
Oil-contaminated friction surfaces
Damaged brake spring
Brake rating below the applied drum torque
Excessive rope layer
Mechanical damage

The load must be secured by an approved method before inspecting the brake.

Uneven Rope Winding

Possible causes include:

Incorrect fleet angle
Misaligned lead sheave
Damaged drum
Inadequate rope tension
Incorrect rope diameter
Lack of a level-wind or fairlead

Air Motor Freezes

Possible causes include:

Moisture in compressed air
Rapid air expansion
Low ambient temperature
Inadequate air drying
Incorrect lubrication

Inspection and Maintenance

Routine inspection should include:

Winch frame
Base and mounting bolts
Drum
Drum flanges
Drum shaft
Bearings
Piston air motor
Gear transmission
Brake
Control valve
Air hoses
Fittings
Guards
Wire rope
Rope termination
Product markings

Maintenance can include:

Draining moisture from the air system
Servicing the filter and lubricator
Checking motor lubrication
Inspecting transmission oil or grease
Adjusting the brake
Inspecting bearings
Tightening mounting bolts
Replacing worn wire rope
Cleaning the drum
Testing local and remote controls

Replacement Parts

Available replacement components can include:

Piston air motor
Air-motor repair kit
Piston components
Control valve
Remote-control valve
Automatic-brake assembly
Brake lining
Brake spring
Drum
Drum shaft
Bearings
Gears
Pinions
Seals
Air hoses
Fittings
Guards
Mounting hardware
Wire rope
Rope-end termination
Complete overhaul kit

Replacement parts should be matched using the model, serial number and drawing revision.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

Goldenman manufacturing and inspection activities can include:

Material-certificate verification
Frame and drum dimensional inspection
Weld inspection where applicable
Drum-shaft inspection
Gear and pinion inspection
Bearing fit verification
Air-motor assembly inspection
Pneumatic leakage test
Forward and reverse operation test
No-load speed test
Loaded pull test
Brake-holding test
Remote-control test
Automatic-brake function test
Rope-capacity verification
Mounting-interface inspection
Guard inspection
Product marking verification
Final documentation review

The final inspection plan depends on the selected model and purchase requirements.

Available Documentation

The order documentation package can include:

Certificate of Conformity
Model-specific technical datasheet
General assembly drawing
Mounting drawing
Pneumatic schematic
Air-consumption data
Wire-rope specification
Brake specification
Material certificates
Welding inspection report where applicable
Dimensional inspection report
Pneumatic leakage report
No-load test report
Pull-performance test report
Brake-holding test report
Functional test report
Operation and maintenance manual
Recommended spare-parts list
Packing list
Third-party inspection report

API documentation should only be referenced according to Goldenman’s actual certificate and licensed product scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this page for one QJ5/120 Air Winch?

No.

It covers the complete QJ Series, including QJL0.5/40, QJ0.5/120, QJ1/100, QJ3/200, QJ5/120 and QJ5/220.

Is QJ5/120 maximum line speed 20 or 35 m/min?

The current Goldenman page states 35 m/min, while the complete QJ Series manufacturer table assigns 35 m/min to QJ3/200 and 20 m/min to QJ5/120.

Goldenman must verify the correct performance from its drawing, test record and nameplate before publication.

Does QJ5/120 store 230 ft of rope?

No.

A rope capacity of 120 m is approximately 394 ft.

The current 230 ft conversion should be corrected.

Are QJ Air Winches API 7K Monogram products?

The current API Spec 7K Monogram licensing form does not list Air Winches as an independent eligible product category.

The page should not use an unqualified “API 7K Certified Air Winch” claim unless Goldenman has specific current documentation supporting the supplied configuration.

Can an Air Winch be used for personnel lifting?

No, not unless it is a purpose-designed and specifically certified personnel-lifting winch.

Standard QJ Series equipment should be used only for approved material lifting, pulling and positioning.

Does maximum pull remain constant as the drum fills?

No.

As the rope builds up on the drum, effective drum diameter increases and available line pull normally decreases.

The datasheet should identify the drum layer used for the rated pull.

What is the difference between A and B configurations?

A configurations may include remote-control equipment.

B configurations may include an automatic-brake system.

The exact supplied control and brake arrangement must be stated in the quotation.

Can a larger wire rope be installed to increase capacity?

Not automatically.

A larger rope changes drum capacity, groove fit, bending radius, brake torque and installation clearances. It must be approved for the selected winch.

Why does an Air Winch lose power?

Common causes include insufficient air flow, low pressure at the inlet, hose restriction, filter blockage, air leakage, motor wear and excessive rope layers.

What data are needed to select an Air Winch?

Provide the required pull, lifted load, rope travel, rope diameter, required speed, air pressure, air-flow capacity, mounting arrangement, brake requirement and operating environment.

Information Required for Quotation

Please provide:

Required QJ model
Lifting, pulling or positioning duty
Maximum load
Required maximum line pull
Required loaded line speed
Required rope travel
Required wire-rope diameter
Number of rope parts
Drum-layer requirement
Available air pressure
Available air flow
Air-hose diameter
Air-hose length
Local or remote control
Automatic-brake requirement
Plate, flange or threaded mounting
Mounting orientation
Lead-sheave location
Hazardous-area requirements
Ambient-temperature range
Land, offshore, marine or industrial application
Required wire-rope specification
Brake-holding test requirement
Third-party inspection requirement
Required spare-parts package
Quantity
Destination country
Required delivery schedule

For replacement equipment, also provide the existing nameplate, serial number, mounting drawing and installation photographs.

Request a Technical Quotation

Goldenman supplies QJ Series Piston Air Winches for drilling rigs, workover rigs, offshore platforms, marine vessels and industrial lifting or pulling applications.

Available models provide reference maximum pulls from 5 to 50 kN and rope-storage capacities from 40 to 220 m.

Send your required pull, rope travel, line speed, air pressure, control, brake and mounting information to:

Email: info@goldenman.com

Goldenman will review the duty and installation conditions and prepare the recommended Air Winch model, technical datasheet, mounting drawing, control arrangement and commercial quotation.

Piston Air Winches for Oilfield Lifting and Pulling