The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic system including a variable displacement hydraulic motor for lifting and lowering a load. The hydraulic motor has a high operating speed and a low operating speed. The system also includes an actuator for controlling whether the hydraulic motor is operating at the high or low speed, and a pressure sensor for sensing when a system pressure corresponding to the hydraulic motor exceeds a threshold pressure value. The system further includes a speed control system that controls the actuator such that the hydraulic motor is prevented from operating at the first operating speed when the system pressure exceeds the threshold pressure value.

The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic system including a variable displacement hydraulic motor for lifting and lowering a load. The hydraulic motor has a high operating speed and a low operating speed. The system also includes an actuator for controlling whether the hydraulic motor is operating at the high or low speed, and a pressure sensor for sensing when a system pressure corresponding to the hydraulic motor exceeds a threshold pressure value. The system further includes a speed control system that controls the actuator such that the hydraulic motor is prevented from operating at the first operating speed when the system pressure exceeds the threshold pressure value.

A winch assembly including a winch control device coupled to an actuator assembly to control a winding and unwinding of a cable and configured to provide a first control signal indicative of a desired pump pressure of the actuator assembly and/or the second control signal indicative of a desired pump displacement of the actuator assembly, and determine the first control signal and/or the second control signal based on: a measured travel speed signal indicating the measured travel speed of a tracked vehicle; a measured pressure signal indicative of a measured pressure in a high pressure branch of a hydraulic circuit of the actuator assembly; and one or more signals of: rope speed signal, wound rope length signal, desired pull force signal manually set by an operator, measured angle signal of an arm of the winch assembly with respect to a travel direction.

A winch assembly including a winch control device coupled to an actuator assembly to control a winding and unwinding of a cable and configured to provide a first control signal indicative of a desired pump pressure of the actuator assembly and/or the second control signal indicative of a desired pump displacement of the actuator assembly, and determine the first control signal and/or the second control signal based on: a measured travel speed signal indicating the measured travel speed of a tracked vehicle; a measured pressure signal indicative of a measured pressure in a high pressure branch of a hydraulic circuit of the actuator assembly; and one or more signals of: rope speed signal, wound rope length signal, desired pull force signal manually set by an operator, measured angle signal of an arm of the winch assembly with respect to a travel direction.

This invention relates to a winch and to a method of using the winch. The winch is ideally adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle such as a mini-excavator, and is likely to find its greatest utility in relation to the removal of underground pipes, electricity conduits, fibre optic cables and the like, as well as in the bursting of pipes. The invention provides a winch comprising a support column, a base, a magazine, a drive mechanism and a mounting structure. The drive mechanism is connected to the magazine and is adapted to rotate the magazine in use. The support column connects the magazine to the base. The mounting structure is adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle. The winch has a rotatable connection between the base and the mounting structure which is securable in a chosen rotational position, so that the base of the winch can be correctly aligned regardless of the orientation of the vehicle.

A chain guide for a chain winch and a chain winch which includes such a chain guide. The chain guide is rotatable about a first rotational axis and adapted for support of a chain including chain links having at least two different sizes where a first chain portion includes a plurality of first chain links and a second chain portion includes a plurality of second chain links where the size of the second chain links is larger than the size of the first chain links. The chain guide includes at least one first chain support, which is adapted for support of at least the first chain links of the first chain portion, and at least one second chain support, which is adapted for support of at least the second chain links of the second chain portion.

A chain guide for a chain winch and a chain winch which includes such a chain guide. The chain guide is rotatable about a first rotational axis and adapted for support of a chain including chain links having at least two different sizes where a first chain portion includes a plurality of first chain links and a second chain portion includes a plurality of second chain links where the size of the second chain links is larger than the size of the first chain links. The chain guide includes at least one first chain support, which is adapted for support of at least the first chain links of the first chain portion, and at least one second chain support, which is adapted for support of at least the second chain links of the second chain portion.

An electronic actuated clutch for a winch. The winch having a motor and drive shaft which are engagable, via an electronically actuated clutch, to a spool. The clutch being operated by a solenoid which engages the clutch via a yoke. The clutch is operable between an engaged and disengaged position through energizing and de-energizing the solenoid. Operation of the clutch moves it linearly along the axis of the drive shaft into and out of engagement with the spool. Operation of the electronically actuated clutch may be done via a remote control.

A sea vessel (1), such as a tugboat or a fishing vessel, including a hydraulic winch (10) connected to a hydraulic system (100), and at least one main engine with a main engine crankshaft (22) connected to a propeller or a thruster. The hydraulic system (100) comprising: a first, hydraulically powered genset (106) including a hydraulic motor and a generator, at least one hydraulic pump (105) connected to said crankshaft (22). The hydraulic pump (105) is configured for driving said first genset (106) to generate electricity, and the hydraulic pump (105) is configured for driving said hydraulic winch (10), and first valve element (102) are used for selectively directing hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic winch (10) or to said first genset (106) of said hydraulic system.

A sea vessel (1), such as a tugboat or a fishing vessel, including a hydraulic winch (10) connected to a hydraulic system (100), and at least one main engine with a main engine crankshaft (22) connected to a propeller or a thruster. The hydraulic system (100) comprising: a first, hydraulically powered genset (106) including a hydraulic motor and a generator, at least one hydraulic pump (105) connected to said crankshaft (22). The hydraulic pump (105) is configured for driving said first genset (106) to generate electricity, and the hydraulic pump (105) is configured for driving said hydraulic winch (10), and first valve element (102) are used for selectively directing hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic winch (10) or to said first genset (106) of said hydraulic system.