A winch system for driving an output includes a gear connected to the output, an electric motor connected to the gear, and a hydraulic motor connected to the gear. The electric motor and the hydraulic motor are distribute energy via the gear to the output.

Winches with integrated lighting, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch with integrated lighting can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and an electrical module. The electrical module can include a housing with first and second end caps coupled to the housing. An elongate light guide can be mounted to the housing between the housing and the cable drum with one or more drum light sources connected to the elongate light guide.

Winches with integrated lighting, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch with integrated lighting can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and an electrical module. The electrical module can include a housing with first and second end caps coupled to the housing. An elongate light guide can be mounted to the housing between the housing and the cable drum with one or more drum light sources connected to the elongate light guide.

The present invention provides a powered winch retrieval system for harvested big game that can be configured either as a small trailer attachable to a vehicle via a hitch, or as a cantilevered unit couplable to a standard vehicle receiver hitch. The winch incorporates a frame that supports an internal combustion engine having a centrifugal clutch or constant velocity transmission (CVT) mounted thereon, a jack shaft chain driven by the centrifugal clutch or CVT for speed reduction and torque amplification, an output shaft on which is mounted a cable take-up spool, a norm ally-on disc brake assembly mounted on the final output shaft, a combination brake release and throttle lever, and an optional oscillating level-wind assembly. The level-wind assembly, which incorporates a linear ball-bearing bushing, ensures that the cable used to retrieve harvested game winds evenly on the take-up spool.

The present invention provides a powered winch retrieval system for harvested big game that can be configured either as a small trailer attachable to a vehicle via a hitch, or as a cantilevered unit couplable to a standard vehicle receiver hitch. The winch incorporates a frame that supports an internal combustion engine having a centrifugal clutch or constant velocity transmission (CVT) mounted thereon, a jack shaft chain driven by the centrifugal clutch or CVT for speed reduction and torque amplification, an output shaft on which is mounted a cable take-up spool, a norm ally-on disc brake assembly mounted on the final output shaft, a combination brake release and throttle lever, and an optional oscillating level-wind assembly. The level-wind assembly, which incorporates a linear ball-bearing bushing, ensures that the cable used to retrieve harvested game winds evenly on the take-up spool.

A winch system for driving an output includes a gear connected to the output, an electric motor connected to the gear, and a hydraulic motor connected to the gear. The electric motor and the hydraulic motor are distribute energy via the gear to the output.

A winch system for driving an output includes a gear connected to the output, an electric motor connected to the gear, and a hydraulic motor connected to the gear. The electric motor and the hydraulic motor are distribute energy via the gear to the output.

A system and a method for a swivel winch are described for rotating a winch about an axis such that friction is reduced when letting out or pulling in a line. The swivel winch includes a fairlead with an orifice and sensors which sense the pressure from the cable and send the retrieved data to a controller which generates commands for an actuator, causing the swivel mount coupled to the winch to swivel in a direction that will relieve pressure.

A system and a method for a swivel winch are described for rotating a winch about an axis such that friction is reduced when letting out or pulling in a line. The swivel winch includes a fairlead with an orifice and sensors which sense the pressure from the cable and send the retrieved data to a controller which generates commands for an actuator, causing the swivel mount coupled to the winch to swivel in a direction that will relieve pressure.

The present invention provides a powered winch retrieval system for harvested big game that can be configured either as a small trailer attachable to a vehicle via a hitch, or as a cantilevered unit couplable to a standard vehicle receiver hitch. The winch incorporates a frame that supports an internal combustion engine having a centrifugal clutch or constant velocity transmission (CVT) mounted thereon, a jack shaft chain driven by the centrifugal clutch or CVT for speed reduction and torque amplification, an output shaft on which is mounted a cable take-up spool, a norm ally-on disc brake assembly mounted on the final output shaft, a combination brake release and throttle lever, and an optional oscillating level-wind assembly. The level-wind assembly, which incorporates a linear ball-bearing bushing, ensures that the cable used to retrieve harvested game winds evenly on the take-up spool.