A winch control system having a solid state winch contactor and a boost power supply for a vehicle equipped with an electric winch and especially for off-road vehicles, is disclosed. This invention automatically provides three winch speeds: a slow start (creep) speed for parking the hook and for sneaking up on a load, a normal speed for normal winch operation and a fast speed for taking less time to unwind and rewind the winch rope when there is no load on the winch. Protection features for the winch contactor and/or the winch include, but are not limited to, electronic winch motor braking, current limiting, over temperature, undervoltage and reverse battery. Winch current limiting is adjustable from 100 amps to 300 amps, chosen for the purpose of accommodating various winch sizes.

A winch control system having a solid state winch contactor and a boost power supply for a vehicle equipped with an electric winch and especially for off-road vehicles, is disclosed. This invention automatically provides three winch speeds: a slow start (creep) speed for parking the hook and for sneaking up on a load, a normal speed for normal winch operation and a fast speed for taking less time to unwind and rewind the winch rope when there is no load on the winch. Protection features for the winch contactor and/or the winch include, but are not limited to, electronic winch motor braking, current limiting, over temperature, undervoltage and reverse battery. Winch current limiting is adjustable from 100 amps to 300 amps, chosen for the purpose of accommodating various winch sizes.

Devices, systems, and methods for varying rotational speeds is disclosed. A battery pack has a plurality of batteries and a switch. The battery pack has an overall voltage. The switch varies the overall voltage in discrete steps by combining the plurality of batteries in series, in parallel, or in a combination thereof. A motor drives a shaft at a rotational speed. The motor is powered by the battery pack. The rotational speed varies proportionally with the overall voltage.

Devices, systems, and methods for varying rotational speeds is disclosed. A battery pack has a plurality of batteries and a switch. The battery pack has an overall voltage. The switch varies the overall voltage in discrete steps by combining the plurality of batteries in series, in parallel, or in a combination thereof. A motor drives a shaft at a rotational speed. The motor is powered by the battery pack. The rotational speed varies proportionally with the overall voltage.

A portable winch system includes a frame, a pair of wheels, a motor that is secured to the frame; and a capstan that is secured to the frame and that is rotatable via the motor. A rope is wound about the capstan in a manner that enables a user to grasp a tail end of the rope and induce friction between the capstan and the portion of the rope that is wound about the capstan. A tow end of the rope is attachable to an object to be pulled by the winch. An input guide attached to the frame is configured to receive the rope and direct the rope toward the capstan as the object is pulled toward the winch. An alignment guide attached to the frame is configured to contact the rope and align the rope about the capstan as the rope is wound about the capstan.

A portable winch system includes a frame, a pair of wheels, a motor that is secured to the frame; and a capstan that is secured to the frame and that is rotatable via the motor. A rope is wound about the capstan in a manner that enables a user to grasp a tail end of the rope and induce friction between the capstan and the portion of the rope that is wound about the capstan. A tow end of the rope is attachable to an object to be pulled by the winch. An input guide attached to the frame is configured to receive the rope and direct the rope toward the capstan as the object is pulled toward the winch. An alignment guide attached to the frame is configured to contact the rope and align the rope about the capstan as the rope is wound about the capstan.

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 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 wire gate operational system providing remote opening and closing of a post and wire gate having a winch and cable assembly with a power source and an operational controller. A remote-control actuator provides long range remote operation to open and close the gate by controlled dropping and raising of the lead wire gate post by the winch. A bottom wire loop between a brace post and the lead wire post acts as a pivot point for the lead gate posts and interconnected directional end cut composite intermediate posts (dancers) allow for controlled wire gate lowering direction allowing ranchers and livestock to pass directly over the lower gate.

A wire gate operational system providing remote opening and closing of a post and wire gate having a winch and cable assembly with a power source and an operational controller. A remote-control actuator provides long range remote operation to open and close the gate by controlled dropping and raising of the lead wire gate post by the winch. A bottom wire loop between a brace post and the lead wire post acts as a pivot point for the lead gate posts and interconnected directional end cut composite intermediate posts (dancers) allow for controlled wire gate lowering direction allowing ranchers and livestock to pass directly over the lower gate.