Abstract: An idler device is for use in a lever-type winch having a brake including a hub fixed to a pinion shaft, an actuating member mounted on a threaded portion of the pinion shaft, and a ratchet wheel and two brake plates interposed between the hub and the actuating member; a lever mounted in such a way that it is pivotable about the axis of the pinion shaft; a changeover gear portion provided on the actuating member; and a changeover claw catch, mounted on the lever and provided with a claw for forward operation and a claw for reverse operation which are selectively engagable with and disengagable from the changeover gear portion of the actuating member.