Winches with dual mode remote controls, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The winch control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability connected to the enable/disable circuit. The controller can include instructions to disable the wireless capability of the controller when the normally open ground path connection is completed.

A winch controller with automatic shut-off, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum carried by the frame, a drive motor connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability. The controller can include instructions to start a shut-off timer when the ground path connection is completed for a non-zero period of time less than a threshold time period and instructions to reset the shut-off timer when the controller receives a control signal from a wireless remote control prior to the shut-off timer expiring. The controller can also include instructions to turn off the controller when the shut-off timer expires prior to receiving a control signal from the remote control or when the ground path is subsequently completed.

A load lifting winch suspending a load from a hook (3) and a cable (5) which is wound onto a frustoconical drum (1) in order to reduce the winch vertical dimension when the hook (3) is in the fully upright position allowed by available vertical space elevation, and simultaneously decrease the forces applied to the lifting drive motor (4) as the load rises.

A gas powered self-contained winch includes a combustion engine, a transmission assembly, a gear assembly and a clutch assembly connect to a spool capable of winding and unwinding a cable wire using forward and reverse drives. A hand controller communicates with the clutch assembly through a cable wire sufficient to control the winding and unwinding of the cable. Securing the winch for operation includes placing its center of gravity below the force line. A field changeable capstan option and remote control handle with throttle, power out lever, and kill switch are built in. A field installable hook float is provided for water rescue operations.

A method for creating a composite cable having at least one high-performance termination on at least one end. A high-performance termination is added to an end of a short synthetic tensile strength member. The strength of the tensile strength member and termination is then tested. Once tested satisfactorily, the short cable is spiced onto a long cable of the same type using prior art splicing techniques. The union of the short cable and the long cable creates a composite cable having a high-performance termination on at least one end. In most applications it is preferable to set the length of the short cable so that the interwoven splice will exist at a desired location.

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.

A load-hauling device includes a pair of karabiners, each having an array of pulleys, a pulley rope fixed at one end to one of the karabiners below its respective pulley array, to anchor that end of the rope, the pulley rope passing sequentially between the pulleys of each pulley array to provide a mechanical advantage at the free end of the pulley rope when pulled, a rotatable locking cam mounted between a cam yoke fixed around an end pulley of one of the pulley arrays, wherein the cam includes a cam spring to bias the cam to engage with the rope and permit movement of the rope in one direction while preventing movement of the rope in the other direction, the cam including an integral trigger and locking mechanism to selectively disengage the cam from the rope and allow the device to release a load carried thereby.

A winch system includes a truck that has a bed and the bed has a pair of spaced lateral walls. A winching unit is coupled to the truck. The winching unit includes a bar that has a telescopically adjustable length and the bar extends between the spaced lateral walls. The winching unit may be coupled to an object. Thus, the winching unit may urge the object into the bed thereby facilitating the truck to transport the object.

A portable winch device is disclosed, which is a winch with its own power source so that it can be used at any time. The portable winch device comprises a base component that is configured in a rectangular box which encloses the winch component. The winch component is a 12v electric winch, powered by a removable battery. The removable battery sits inside the base component with an adapter to go from the battery to the winch control box for power. Further, soft shackles and/or carabiners are positioned to come out the back of the base component and are attached to the winch component inside the base component. The soft shackles are used to anchor the base component in place. Further, a small remote is used to control the device.

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.