Abstract: A constant pulling force winch control system includes a sensor that senses a degree of winding of a winch cable around a winch drum, and a control system configured to control a winch motor to achieve a constant pulling force on the winch cable based on the degree of winding sensed by the sensor. The sensor may be a position sensor that measures a position of the winch cable relative to a centerline of the winch drum as the degree of winding. The position sensor may sense an angular position of a tension plate relative to a tensioner shaft to measure the degree of winding. The winch motor may be a hydraulic winch motor or an electric motor, and the control system is configured to control the power applied to the hydraulic winch motor to achieve the constant pulling force based on the degree of winding sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A plow pivot assembly includes a base adapted to be coupled to a frame member and rotationally fixed relative thereto. A pivot assembly is coupled to the base and includes a motor mounted to a first ring gear, a planetary gear assembly driven by the motor and including a planetary carrier assembly having a plurality of split planetary gears engaging with both the first ring gear and a second ring gear which is fixed to the base for causing rotation of the first ring. A plow blade is attached to the first ring gear by a pivot base that incorporates a force absorbing system therein to protect the planetary gear assembly from damage.

Abstract: A plow pivot assembly includes a base adapted to be coupled to a frame member and rotationally fixed relative thereto. A pivot assembly is coupled to the base and includes a motor mounted to a first ring gear, a planetary gear assembly driven by the motor and including a planetary carrier assembly having a plurality of split planetary gears engaging with both the first ring gear and a second ring gear which is fixed to the base for causing rotation of the first ring. A plow blade is attached to the first ring gear by a pivot base that incorporates a force absorbing system therein to protect the planetary gear assembly from damage.

Abstract: A winch includes a motor having a motor housing including a motor case and an integrated first drum support attached to the motor case for closing an end of the motor case. A gear reduction unit is drivingly attached to the motor and has a gear housing including a gear case and second drum support attached to the gear case. A tie plate is connected to the first and second drum supports. A control unit is removably mounted to the tie plate. A rotatable drum is supported by the first and second drum supports.

Abstract: A fairlead assembly includes a frame structure having an opening therein. A pair of rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the opening. The frame structure includes a pair of opposed curved surfaces disposed between the end portions of the pair of rollers and defining a bordering surface of the opening. The frame can be cast as a unitary structure with the pair of rollers each rotatably supported by a support pin having opposite ends received in a first set of corresponding semi-cylindrical recesses in a surface of the cast frame. A clamp structure having a second set of corresponding semi-cylindrical recesses secure the support pins to the cast frame.

Abstract: A winch includes a motor and a rotatable drum drivingly attached to the motor. The rotatable drum includes an anchor pocket therein. A cable includes a proximal end connected to the rotatable drum by an anchor received in said anchor pocket with the cable wrapped around the anchor. The anchor includes a first slot in a surface thereof and the rotatable drum includes a second slot therein adjacent to the anchor pocket that allows access to the first slot in the anchor. An edge of the second slot forms a fulcrum point for a pry tool inserted into the first and second slots for freeing the anchor from the anchor pocket.

Abstract: A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.

Abstract: A system for controlling slack in a winch rope associated with a vehicle can include a winch, a plow, and a support member pivotably coupled to the plow and carrying a pulley that receives the rope for raising and lowering the plow. A limit switch can be operatively associated with the winch and configured to selectively enable and disable lowering of the plow by the winch. A first member can be carried by the support member and operatively associated with the switch. A biasing member can bias the support member to a first position when a load on the winch rope is below a predetermined threshold. The first member can be in at least substantial alignment with the switch when in the first position. The switch can change an activation state upon the first member being in the first position to automatically disable lowering of the plow by the winch.

Abstract: A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.

Abstract: A stow plate is provided for supporting a winch having a pair of drum supports, at least one tie rod extending between the pair of drum supports, a drum rotatably supported between the pair of drum supports and a motor for rotatably driving the drum. The stow plate includes a plate having at least one hook extending from a surface of the plate. At least one mounting flange extends from the plate at a spaced location from the hook, wherein the hook is adapted to be engageable with the at least one tie rod of the winch and the at least one mounting flange includes a first aperture adapted to be aligned with a second aperture associated with at least one of the pair of drum supports. A mounting pin is adapted to be removably received in the first and second apertures for securing the winch to the stow plate.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for a plow may include first and second subassemblies. The first subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to a frame member and rotationally fixed relative thereto. The first subassembly may include a latch mechanism displaceable between locked and unlocked positions. The second subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to the frame member and may be rotatable relative thereto. The second subassembly may include a power pivot assembly and a cam member. The power pivot assembly may be drivingly engaged with the cam member and operable to rotate the cam member in a first rotational direction to a first position where the cam member urges the latch mechanism into the unlocked position.

Abstract: A system for controlling slack in a winch rope associated with a vehicle can include a winch, a plow, and a support member pivotably coupled to the plow and carrying a pulley that receives the rope for raising and lowering the plow. A limit switch can be operatively associated with the winch and configured to selectively enable and disable lowering of the plow by the winch. A first member can be carried by the support member and operatively associated with the switch. A biasing member can bias the support member to a first position when a load on the winch rope is below a predetermined threshold. The first member can be in at least substantial alignment with the switch when in the first position. The switch can change an activation state upon the first member being in the first position to automatically disable lowering of the plow by the winch.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device limits peak torque and shock loads applied to the drive train components of an all-terrain vehicle. The energy absorbing device may be installed in the differential or drive housing, inboard of the variable shaft or half-shaft or outboard of the constant shaft or half-shaft, and in the interconnecting shaft itself. The energy absorbing device allows excessive drive train energy to be dissipated by friction between components of the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.

Abstract: A power management module for a winch system comprises an overload and low voltage interrupt module within a housing. The overload interrupt determines operating current for the winch system and provides an interrupt signal when the current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt determines voltage of a power source and provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold. A method of operating the power management module comprises determining operating current of the winch system with an overload interrupt module and voltage of a vehicle power source with a low voltage interrupt module. The overload and low voltage interrupt modules are located within a housing. The overload interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the operating current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold.