Abstract: A control for a hydraulically operable clutch of a winch applied to a grapple-skidder includes a pressure-reducing valve which is selectively operable to permit the clutch to slip in those instances when a cable connected between a drum of the winch and a load or grapple structure is being wound in and the load or grapple structure comes into engagement with an immovable object such as a tree or framework at the rear of the grapple-skidder. The clutch is of a disc type adapted for operating in a lubricating fluid and the pressure-reducing valve is operative to effect an increase in the flow of lubricating fluid to the clutch when the valve is operated to permit the clutch to slip.

Abstract: A winch includes a housing including spaced apart first, second and third upright wall portions. The second and third wall portions form part of an enclosure in which a drive train is located, the latter including an output shaft rotatably mounted in the second and third wall portions, the output shaft has an end portion projecting axially into and terminating within a hollow cable drum that is located between the first and second wall portions, the drum having one end rotatably mounted in the first wall portion and having its other end rotatably mounted on the output shaft. A free spool clutch is provided which is normally in a condition establishing a drive connection between the output shaft and the cable drum but is selectively actuatable to establish a free spool condition wherein the drum is disconnected from the drive train.

Abstract: A winch includes hydraulically operated brake and clutch means which comprise part of a drive train supported by and located within a cavity defined by a housing. The drive train includes an output shaft located as the uppermost shaft of the drive train and including a portion extending through a wall of the cavity and axially into one end of a hollow, open-ended cable drum located exteriorly of the cavity and having one end rotatably mounted in a wall of the housing and having its other end rotatably mounted on the output shaft. Coupled to hydraulic fluid circuitry for conveying operating fluid to the brake and clutch means is a lubrication fluid circuit for supplying lubricating fluid to bearings supporting the cable drum and to bearings and other components of the drive train, the lubrication fluid circuit including the interior of the cable drum.