A portable winch system includes a frame, a pair of wheels, a motor that is secured to the frame; and a capstan that is secured to the frame and that is rotatable via the motor. A rope is wound about the capstan in a manner that enables a user to grasp a tail end of the rope and induce friction between the capstan and the portion of the rope that is wound about the capstan. A tow end of the rope is attachable to an object to be pulled by the winch. An input guide attached to the frame is configured to receive the rope and direct the rope toward the capstan as the object is pulled toward the winch. An alignment guide attached to the frame is configured to contact the rope and align the rope about the capstan as the rope is wound about the capstan.

A portable tow system includes a drive system for removable mounting to a first anchor point, a flywheel system for removable mounting to a second anchor point distal from the first anchor point, and a tow strap for connecting a drive wheel of the drive system to a flywheel of the flywheel system. One or more persons or objects can be removably attached or connected to the tow strap. The drive system includes a motor for causing the drive wheel to rotate, which rotation causes the tow strap to rotate, such that the person(s) or object(s) connected thereto may be pulled from the first anchor point to the second anchor point or vice versa.

A pipe replacement system and cable guide frame are shown. Configurations are shown that include plurality of guide pulleys attached to the cable guide frame to define a curved path between a pipe to be replaced and a cable pulling system. Configurations are shown where a pipe breaking tool is pulled over the plurality of guide pulleys for ease of removal after a replacement operation. Configurations are also shown that include a stationary splitter adjacent to the cable pulling system to prevent jamming of the cable pulling system.

In one embodiment, a method for transporting a modular bi-level storage and transport assembly (MTA) includes the steps of activating a location transponder, receiving, by a first transport mechanism, location information from the location transponder, determining that the location transponder is broadcasting a pickup request signal, transmitting a location and orientation of the MTA to the first transport mechanism, causing the first transport mechanism to travel to the location of the MTA, securely connecting the MTA to the first transport mechanism, and transporting the MTA to a specified destination using the first transport mechanism.

A winch assembly for moving a first fifth wheel outwardly from a first trailer and engaging a king pin on a second trailer. The winch assembly includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart rails mounted on the underside of the first trailer. A slide out frame is mounted between the rails and attached to a front axle and a real axle, with wheels. The slide out frame includes the first fifth wheel adapted for engaging the king pin on the front of a second trailer. The first fifth wheel is attached to a pair of first cables on winch drums, driven by winch motors. The winch motors are used for rotating cable drums for retracting the first fifth wheel along a length of the trailer. Also, a pair of second cables on winch drums, driven by winch motors, are attached to the slide out frame. The second cables are used to extend the first fifth wheel outwardly from the rear of the first trailer for engaging the fifth wheel to the second trailer.

A rope fastening arrangement of a hoisting device, which comprises a rope drum, a fastening device having a chamber which defines the vertical boundary dimensions, the horizontal boundary dimensions, and depth direction boundary dimensions of the fastening device, a hoisting rope and a hoisting member which by means of the hoisting rope ascends and descends supported by the fastening device and rope drum. Said rope fastening arrangement further comprises that the hoisting rope (4) is locked to the fastening device by wedging, whereby the fastening device guides the first end of the hoisting rope away so that the first end of the hoisting rope does not extend outside the vertical boundary dimensions of the chamber.

A handle-engaging assembly for releasably engaging a winch hoist handle in a winch hoist, where the winch hoist comprises a frame with an integral handle-receiving socket that is adapted to receive the handle. There is a pull pin assembly that comprises a spring-loaded pin that is constructed and arranged to be manipulated such that it engages with or disengages from an opening in the handle.

A device for tensioning an elongated hoisting member, comprises: a first friction-generating member rotatably supported around a first support member; a second friction-generating member rotatably supported around a second support member, the first and second friction-generating members being adapted to provide friction to the elongated hoisting member when the friction-generating members are pressed against each other with a portion of the elongated hoisting member therebetween. A brake is provided for braking the rotation of the friction-generating members around the support members. There is also described a system that includes such a device, as well as a method for operating such a system.

A continuous well string injector features a frame carrying a pair of endless chain conveyors on opposite sides of a pathway. Each chain carries gripper dies for engaging the continuous well string when received in the pathway. A respective skate and cylinder block reside in the closed loop path of each chain. Each cylinder block features a plurality of blind bores having open ends facing toward the respective skate, and a respective piston is slidably disposed within each bore. Hydraulic extension and retraction ports open into the cylinder bores on opposite sides of the piston, whereby back and forth displacement of the pistons forces the skates toward and away from one another to grip and release the continuous well string. A front wall of the frame has an open horizontal gap aligned with the pathway to enable lateral entrance and exit of the continuous string to and from the pathway.

A hoist comprising: an upper hook; a support shaft that includes a hook-side large-diameter portion inserted through an insertion hole of the hook at a center portion, end large-diameter portions at both ends, an intermediate portion between the hook-side large-diameter portion and the end large-diameter portion, and a strain deformation portion that is provided at the intermediate portion; a main frame that includes a pair of support holes and is suspended and supported by the upper hook via the support shaft with the end large-diameter portion on one side inserted in the one support hole and the end large-diameter portion on the other side inserted in the other support hole; and a load measurement means that is attached to the strain deformation portion and measures a shear load acting on the strain deformation portion, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate portion is inserted in the support hole.