[TowerTalk] Crank-up Tower Winch

[W3OA]

A station I guest op at has a crank-up tower with a Dutton-Lainson 
DLB1500A  brake winch.  When we were lowering the tower last Sunday it 
took a lot of effort and three of us trading off  cranking duties to 
lower the tower.  But when we got the tower fully retracted and the 
weight off the cable the winch turned freely.

Not sure if weather could be a factor in how the break works - We had 
rain and heavy fog/mist all weekend.

Anyone familiar with breaking winches that can point us to the problem?

73 - Dick, W3OA