Abstract: A clutch for a tire lift/carrier winch includes a drive plate and a driven plate having a plurality of elongate springs thereon. The driven plate includes circumferentially spaced driven end portions which are positioned in driving engagement with circumferentially spaced drive portions of the drive plate to permit rotation of the driven plate upon rotation of the drive plate when the load on the cable winding spool is within a prescribed limit. However, when the load on the cable winding spool exceeds the prescribed limit, the elongate springs on the driven plate function as cantilevered spring segments deflectable about respective fulcrums in such a manner as to prevent rotation of the driven plate upon rotation of the drive plate.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed and is equipped with two drive shafts and two rope drums corresponding thereto. The rope drums have peripheral grooves in which the rope which is slung over the drums is guided. A slip clutch is provided to compensate for velocity differences in the region where the rope is slung over the rope drums. The slip clutch is associated with at least one of the two drive shafts of the rope drums.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed having at least one rope drum which includes a run-out groove on its periphery in which a rope is guided. The run-out groove is bounded in part by a tightening disc which is pressable against one side of the rope. The run-out groove for the rope is configured on a drive disc which is configured so as to be separate from the rope drum. The drive disc is coupled with the rope drum via a free runner and in such a manner that an operative connection existing when the rope is run out under load is interrupted when the load is removed from the rope.

Abstract: A control system for one or more hydraulically driven crane winch drums each having a hydraulically actuated clutch and a brake. Included is a negative braking mechanism having a brake cylinder of the single-acting, spring-return type for normally holding the brake applied by the force of the spring and releasing the brake on fluid pressure actuation. A mode selector valve selectively delivers hydraulic fluid under pressure from two separate sources to the clutch and the brake cylinder in order to condition the winch for a selected one of winching, brake-locking, and free-fall modes. The mode selector valve causes the negative braking mechanism to release the brake in the free-fall mode, so that a positive braking mechanism is also provided to permit the operator to arrest the free fall of the load, or the free running-out of the cable, in an exact position desired.

Abstract: A cable hauling system includes a drive shaft, a haulback shaft with a haulback drum mounted thereon, and a main shaft with a main drum mounted thereon. A first pair of gears operatively associated with the drive shaft and the main shaft includes a positively acting clutch for selectively coupling the drive shaft to the main shaft in driving relationship through the first pair of gears. Second and third pairs of gears are operatively associated with the drive shaft and the haulback shaft. An energy-dissipating, power transfer device is associated with both the second and third pairs of gears to selectively couple one or the other of the second and third pairs of gears in driving relationship with the haulback shaft.

Abstract: An improved winch system to automatically inhaul or retrieve flexible line during a slack line condition. The winch system utilizes a traction unit to control the pay out and retrieve the flexible line when the flexible line is subject to normal loading. When the load on the flexible line drops below a preselected value, a spooling unit can retrieve the flexible line through the traction unit at an accelerated rate to prevent fouling of the flexible line.