Abstract: The present invention provides methods and mechanisms to selectively fix or free a planetary carrier of a epicyclic gearbox, thereby allowing dual modal operation of the gearbox and facilitating selective operation of a device, such as a winch, having capacity to safely and efficiently operate in a high load heavy lifting utility mode and a low load light lifting personnel mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and mechanisms to selectively fix or free a planetary carrier of a epicyclic gearbox, thereby allowing dual modal operation of the gearbox and facilitating selective operation of a device, such as a winch, having capacity to safely and efficiently operate in a high load heavy lifting utility mode and a low load light lifting personnel mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and mechanisms to selectively fix or free a planetary carrier of a epicyclic gearbox, thereby allowing dual modal operation of the gearbox and facilitating selective operation of a device, such as a winch, having capacity to safely and efficiently operate in a high load heavy lifting utility mode and a low load light lifting personnel mode.

Abstract: The winch includes a gear assembly having a first stage and a last stage. A first input is coupled to the first stage and a second input is coupled to the last stage. In a first operative condition, the first input drives a sun gear of the first stage while a planetary carrier of the last stage is fixed so that the sun gear of the first stage drives the gear assembly to output motion through a ring gear. In a second operative condition, the second input drives the planetary carrier of the last stage while the sun gear of the first stage is fixed so that the planetary carrier of the last stage drives the gear assembly to output motion through the ring gear. The first condition provides a first output torque and the second condition provides a second output torque less than the first output torque.