Gearmatic began in 1946 in Vancouver, British Columbia, when founder Frank Lawrence introduced the quick-shift Gearmatic transmission. In addition to this and other innovative products, Lawrence developed a mechanical winch which was enthusiastically accepted by the logging industry in the Pacific Northwest. In 1960, the company built the first winch driven by a hydraulic motor with planetary gearing and a hydraulic motor (Model 11/11E).
In 1963, Pacific Car and Foundry Company (now PACCAR) acquired Gearmatic. An early pioneer in planetary gear train designs known for producing well-built products and maintaining exceptionally high standards of quality, Gearmatic introduced ROTO-VERSAL drives in 1968 receiving the trademark the following year.
Today, the Gearmatic brand is focused on hydraulic planetary winches and hoists for mobile crane, marine and pipelaying applications.
The Gearmatic GM27A Planetary Hoist is engineered for reliable performance in harsh marine environments and demanding drilling applications. Rated for a line pull of 27,000 lb (12,247 kg), the GM27A offers overwound or underwound drum configurations and equal-speed or high-speed reverse options. Crowned planetary gears, sintered bronze brake discs and stainless steel drum seal lands provide smooth, quiet operation, extended service life and superior corrosion resistance. A sight glass, indexable breather vent and standard mounting pattern simplify installation, maintenance and repair.
