An innovative drive system for a hoist assembly is disclosed. The hoist drive system is designed to lift at fixed speeds or at variable speeds. The hoist drive system operates with little noise and provides for minimal maintenance during the life of the hoist that requires no lubrication, has superior environmental resistance, and a compact design.

A lift assembly includes an article to be lifted between a lowered position and a raised position, a drive element coupled to the article, a power mechanism coupled to the drive element, and a power transfer mechanism coupled between the power mechanism and the drive element. The power transfer mechanism includes control electronics having a first upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a first upward height, and a second upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a second upward height higher than the first upward height.

A lift assembly includes an article to be lifted between a lowered position and a raised position, a drive element coupled to the article, a power mechanism coupled to the drive element, and a power transfer mechanism coupled between the power mechanism and the drive element. The power transfer mechanism includes control electronics having a first upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a first upward height, and a second upward limit switch adapted to deactivate the power mechanism when the article is lifted to a second upward height higher than the first upward height.

An apparatus for lowering a hitch onto a truck bed and raising the hitch off of a truck bed is disclosed. The apparatus includes: an upper carriage, a lower carriage, and a kingpin. The upper carriage is suspended from multiple lines, which lines are configured to lower and raise the upper carriage. The lower carriage is attachable to the upper carriage at various positions relative to the upper carriage to allow the load on the lines to be balanced in one direction. The kingpin is attached to the lower carriage, and kingpin is configured to be captured by the hitch. Allowing the hitch to be lowered onto the truck bed and raised off of the truck bed as the upper carriage and the lower carriage are lowered and raised by the lines. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes lifting devices attached to the lines for raising and lowering the hitch.

A system and method for detecting a configuration of a crane winch assembly and activating a mode of operation of an aerial device based at least in part on the configuration is shown and described herein. The aerial device may comprise a crane winch assembly with a sensor for detecting that the crane winch assembly is stowed or deployed. When the crane winch assembly is deployed, a crane mode of the aerial device may be active. When the crane winch assembly is stowed, an aerial mode of the aerial device may be active. Further, certain operations of the aerial device may be active and inactive based on an anti-two block system of the aerial device.

A device for supplying and modifying the cylinder cubic capacity of a hydraulic motor, comprising: a first conduit (1) for supplying and discharging an operating fluid to a first side of the hydraulic motor (M); a second conduit (2) for supplying and discharging an operating fluid to a second side of the motor (M); an actuator (3) provided to modify the cubic capacity of the motor (M); an increase conduit (31) for increasing the cubic capacity of the motor (M), connected to the actuator (3) for supplying operating fluid to a side of the actuator (3) which produces an increase of the cubic capacity of the motor (M); a reduction conduit (32) for reducing the cubic capacity of the motor (M), connected to the actuator (3) for supplying operating fluid to a side of the actuator (3), which produces a reduction of the cubic capacity of the motor (M). The device is structured to supply to the increase conduit (31) and to the reduction conduit (32) a proportional pressure to the load acting on the winch.

A device for supplying and modifying the cylinder cubic capacity of a hydraulic motor, comprising: a first conduit (1) for supplying and discharging an operating fluid to a first side of the hydraulic motor (M); a second conduit (2) for supplying and discharging an operating fluid to a second side of the motor (M); an actuator (3) provided to modify the cubic capacity of the motor (M); an increase conduit (31) for increasing the cubic capacity of the motor (M), connected to the actuator (3) for supplying operating fluid to a side of the actuator (3) which produces an increase of the cubic capacity of the motor (M); a reduction conduit (32) for reducing the cubic capacity of the motor (M), connected to the actuator (3) for supplying operating fluid to a side of the actuator (3), which produces a reduction of the cubic capacity of the motor (M). The device is structured to supply to the increase conduit (31) and to the reduction conduit (32) a proportional pressure to the load acting on the winch.

An adjustable winch hanger is provided to mount and support a winch in midair or another location in order to lift objects such as pipes or the like to an appropriate height for installation. A plurality of bolt-receiving channels are connected to a main body and oriented laterally. A plurality of bolts, wedge bolts in particular, are positioned into the bolt-receiving channels. A rod channel runs vertically through the bolt-receiving channels to receive a vertically-oriented rod to which to affix the winch hanger. A tightening mechanism is engaged with the plurality of bolts and configured to axially displace the bolts within the bolt-receiving channels in order to tighten the bolts against the vertically-oriented rod. A center bolt is threadedly engaged with a threaded collar, which is connected to a tie bar, which is connected to the plurality of wedge bolts, ensuring the wedge bolts are laterally aligned with each other.

A portable hoist and a winch. The winch and hoist can be integrated in a single housing or can be attached to one another. The portable hoist provides a user with the ability to hang the portable hoist without the use of other lifting devices, cranes, or rigging and allows the user to do it in a safer manner with less man power. The portable hoist can have a safety pin configured to secure the winch hook in a secured position so as to allow the hoist to lift increased loads.

A portable hoist and a winch. The winch and hoist can be integrated in a single housing or can be attached to one another. The portable hoist provides a user with the ability to hang the portable hoist without the use of other lifting devices, cranes, or rigging and allows the user to do it in a safer manner with less man power. The portable hoist can have a safety pin configured to secure the winch hook in a secured position so as to allow the hoist to lift increased loads.