A hitch mount for a hoist including a main member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end configured to couple with a vehicle hitch, a hoist mounting bracket at the distal end of the main member, a pulley mounted on the main member between the proximal end and the distal end, and a rope lock mounted on the main member between the pulley and the distal end.

A method for an operation of a forestry winch, which has a rope drum driven by a drive motor and on which a rope is wound up, and has a rope ejector roller for the rope driven by an additional drive motor, whereby the rope is guided from the rope drum to the rope ejector roller and is deflected on the rope ejector roller. The drive motor of the rope drum and the additional drive motor of the rope ejector roller are operated so that when the rope is unspooled from the rope drum, and when the rope is wound up onto the rope drum, a minimum rope pre-tension, in particular a constant minimum rope pre-tension, is generated in the segment of the rope between the rope drum and the rope ejector roller.

Apparatuses for controlling payload descent are described herein. For example, in one embodiment, a puck is provided that includes a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface opposite the top planar surface and an inner peripheral surface that is substantially perpendicular to the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface. The inner peripheral surface, the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface define a centrally located bore that is substantially perpendicular to the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface. Puck teeth are located on the inner peripheral surface. An outer peripheral surface bounds the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface. An exit port surface is substantially perpendicular to the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface. The exit port surface is between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface and couples the top planar surface to the bottom planar surface.

A method for controlling operation of a winch, which has a capstan drive unit for hauling a cable into the winch and for paying the cable out of the winch, a main drive for driving the capstan drive unit, a cable drum for receiving the cable by winding up and unwinding the cable, a drum drive for driving the cable drum, wherein the drum drive and the main drive are operable independently of one another, and a rotational speed measuring device which is arranged in a cable inlet portion of the winch. The method has a step of reading a first rotational speed from the main drive and a second rotational speed from the rotational speed measuring device. In addition, the method has a step of determining a torque value for setting a torque of the drum drive depending on the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed.

An improved pulley for a winch is described, in contact with at least one section of rope included between an inlet section connected to a working load and an outlet section connected to a resisting load, comprising a plurality of peripheral supports deformable depending on a length variation of such section of rope.

A winch drum is disclosed. In a first aspect, a first set of teeth are positioned around an outer perimeter of a drum. The first set of teeth taper from a first crown to a first base. A second set of teeth are positioned around the outer perimeter of the drum. The second set of teeth taper from a second crown to a second base. The second set of teeth are offset from the first set of teeth such that a gap between the first bases and the second bases forms a sinusoidal channel for a line to follow the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth becomes a guide for the line so that the line can engage the sinusoidal channel. The line follows the sinusoidal channel and each change of direction along the sinusoidal path causes the line to engage by friction with the first bases and the second bases. In a second aspect, the drum includes a trough that follows a sinusoidal path and wherein the trough is narrower at its bottom than at its top.

A portable power-driven system, such as an ascender/descender arrangement, ensures that a rope used in relation to the portable power-driven system is securely handled when in an operational state.

A winching apparatus adapted for horizontal rotational mounting behind the chipping feed rollers on a chipping machine. It has a rotatable vertical stanchion, that is pivotally coupled to first end of a horizontal boom arm that may be vertically adjusted between its ends so as to raise or lower its second end. At the second end of the boom arm is a swivel mounted plate that houses a high speed continual line uptake winch that is thus adjustable for simultaneous alignment of the rope puller with the line in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The device is capable of compensating for a constantly changing directional pull as well as feeding the downed foliage directly into the chipper.

A method for controlling operation of a winch, which has a capstan drive unit for hauling a cable into the winch and for paying the cable out of the winch, a main drive for driving the capstan drive unit, a cable drum for receiving the cable by winding up and unwinding the cable, a drum drive for driving the cable drum, wherein the drum drive and the main drive are operable independently of one another, and a rotational speed measuring device which is arranged in a cable inlet portion of the winch. The method has a step of reading a first rotational speed from the main drive and a second rotational speed from the rotational speed measuring device. In addition, the method has a step of determining a torque value for setting a torque of the drum drive depending on the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed.

The present invention relates to a rope grab arrangement comprising a rope grab for advancing a rope, the rope grab arrangement being configured to provide an increased friction between the rope grab and the rope for allowing use of multitude of different types of ropes. The invention also relates to a portable power driven arrangement comprising such a rope grab arrangement.