The invention relates to a free fall winch comprising a drum, which can be rotationally driven by a winch drive, wherein a free fall brake is provided for braking the drum in free fall operation. According to the invention, a torque acting on the free fall winch, which depends on the free fall braking torque, is detected by means of a detection device, and a brake actuation force with which the free fall brake is actuated is controlled or adjusted by a control device according to the detected torque.

A clutch assembly includes a first gear, a second gear, a first proximity sensor configured to determine a first number of teeth of the first gear that pass by the first proximity sensor within a period of time, and a second proximity sensor configured to determine a second number of teeth of the second gear that pass by the second proximity sensor within the period of time.

A clutch assembly includes a first gear, a second gear, a first proximity sensor configured to determine a first number of teeth of the first gear that pass by the first proximity sensor within a period of time, and a second proximity sensor configured to determine a second number of teeth of the second gear that pass by the second proximity sensor within the period of time.

A clutch assembly includes a first gear, a second gear, a first proximity sensor configured to determine a first number of teeth of the first gear that pass by the first proximity sensor within a period of time, and a second proximity sensor configured to determine a second number of teeth of the second gear that pass by the second proximity sensor within the period of time.

A clutch assembly includes a first gear, a second gear, a first proximity sensor configured to determine a first number of teeth of the first gear that pass by the first proximity sensor within a period of time, and a second proximity sensor configured to determine a second number of teeth of the second gear that pass by the second proximity sensor within the period of time.

A winch and method for operating the winch includes a winch body having a first drum support, a second drum support and a drum rotatably coupled to the first drum support and the second drum support. The winch further comprises a plurality of gears coupled to the second drum support and the drum. A motor is coupled to the drum through the plurality of gears. A motor cover is coupled to the first drum support. A gear cover is coupled to the second drum support and houses the plurality of gears therein. A supplemental cover covers at least a portion of the motor cover or a portion of the gear cover or both.

A winch and method for operating the winch includes a winch body having a first drum support, a second drum support and a drum rotatably coupled to the first drum support and the second drum support. The winch further comprises a plurality of gears coupled to the second drum support and the drum. A motor is coupled to the drum through the plurality of gears. A motor cover is coupled to the first drum support. A gear cover is coupled to the second drum support and houses the plurality of gears therein. A supplemental cover covers at least a portion of the motor cover or a portion of the gear cover or both.

Methods and systems are provided for a winch including a rotatable tie structure. In one example, a winch may include a tie structure coupled to a top side of a winch. Notches formed in main cross rails of the tie structure enable rotation of the tie structure relative to a housing of the winch.

Methods and systems are provided for a winch including a rotatable tie structure. In one example, a winch may include a tie structure coupled to a top side of a winch. Notches formed in main cross rails of the tie structure enable rotation of the tie structure relative to a housing of the winch.

A winch is provided including a rotatable drum and a gear train drivingly connecting a motor to the rotatable drum. The gear train includes a clutch that is operable to be disengaged to allow the rotatable drum to free spool. A clutch actuator is provided for disengaging the clutch and the clutch includes a pivoting pawl having a first end that engages a clutch dog of a planetary ring gear and the clutch actuator includes an electro-magnetic solenoid having a plunger that engages a second end of the pivoting pawl.