A puller is provided with a number of advantages. Pullers are described that have a high power to weight ratio, and a high power to volume ratio. Examples of pullers and pulling systems include configurations that provide high cable friction in a small device volume. Examples of pullers and pulling systems also include constant force pulling which is desirable in particular for small diameter pipe replacement. Using pullers and pulling systems as described, minimally invasive pipe replacement operations are possible. Reversible pullers are also provided that decrease the amount of time needed to burst or split multiple segments of pipe.

A system for transferring objects into a device inside a controlled environment includes a winch, tool and carousel. The winch includes a drum, and wire arrangement configured to be reversibly wound onto the drum by a first drive. The tool is suspended below a distal end of the wire arrangement and configured to suspend an object. Both the tool and the object are sized to fit inside a device located below the winch. The carousel is connected to a second drive configured to rotate the carousel around a vertical axis, and includes a storage space centered at a first horizontal angle and a pass-through opening at a different second horizontal angle. The pass-through opening being large enough to pass the tool and the object as the wire arrangement is unwound from the drum thereby lowering the tool and object inside the device.

An arbor trap apparatus for use with a counterweight rigging system having at least one counterweight arbor. The apparatus may include a trap housing for attachment to a support structure, and at least one catch blade for attachment to the counterweight arbor. The catch blade may enter the trap housing as the counterweight arbor moves generally towards the trap housing, and the trap housing may engage the catch blade to prevent the counterweight arbor from moving generally away from the trap housing. The trap housing may transfer load from the counterweight arbor to the support structure and prevent a runaway.

An arbor trap apparatus for use with a counterweight rigging system having at least one counterweight arbor. The apparatus may include a trap housing for attachment to a support structure, and at least one catch blade for attachment to the counterweight arbor. The catch blade may enter the trap housing as the counterweight arbor moves generally towards the trap housing, and the trap housing may engage the catch blade to prevent the counterweight arbor from moving generally away from the trap housing. The trap housing may transfer load from the counterweight arbor to the support structure and prevent a runaway.

A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc.

A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc.

A chain and cable handling winch system comprising of a winch, the winch having a winch axle, the winch axle having a winch axle end adapted to mount a chain wheel thereon in a working position a cable drum mounted on the winch axle a frame, supporting the winch axle such that the winch axle is supported on opposite sides of the cable drum by a first and second support, the first support being located inbetween the cable drum and the chain wheel end of the winch axle; and a motor drive adapted to drive the winch a chain wheel, the chain wheel having a chain wheel body with a central opening adapted to engage the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel being in a working position when mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle a chain wheel lock assembly, wherein the assembly is adapted to releasably secure the chain wheel in the working position on the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel lock assembly comprising one or more locking members movable between a locking position and an unlocking position; and a chain wheel manipulator adapted to the exchange the chain wheel mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle for another chain wheel, the chain wheel manipulator having a chain wheel support adapted to support a chain wheel, the chain wheel support being positionable in a chain wheel exchange position adjacent to the chain wheel end of the winch axle to mount a chain wheel onto the winch axle end and to dismount the chain wheel from the winch axle end.

A chain and cable handling winch system comprising of a winch, the winch having a winch axle, the winch axle having a winch axle end adapted to mount a chain wheel thereon in a working position a cable drum mounted on the winch axle a frame, supporting the winch axle such that the winch axle is supported on opposite sides of the cable drum by a first and second support, the first support being located inbetween the cable drum and the chain wheel end of the winch axle; and a motor drive adapted to drive the winch a chain wheel, the chain wheel having a chain wheel body with a central opening adapted to engage the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel being in a working position when mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle a chain wheel lock assembly, wherein the assembly is adapted to releasably secure the chain wheel in the working position on the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel lock assembly comprising one or more locking members movable between a locking position and an unlocking position; and a chain wheel manipulator adapted to the exchange the chain wheel mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle for another chain wheel, the chain wheel manipulator having a chain wheel support adapted to support a chain wheel, the chain wheel support being positionable in a chain wheel exchange position adjacent to the chain wheel end of the winch axle to mount a chain wheel onto the winch axle end and to dismount the chain wheel from the winch axle end.

A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc.

A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc.