An affordable tension device for maintaining tension on a wire rope of a cable-based lifting system is provided. The tension device has an elongated casting weight adapted to govern the casting weight as it rides along a predetermined wire rope for maintaining tension thereon. The tension device provides a clevis with a sheave for operatively associating with the tension wire rope.

A tower for a pipe laying system comprises a frame with a leg to support the frame, and a winch support integrally formed with the leg. The winch support is able to receive and support a winch and/or winch components. The winch support can be formed in a lower portion of the tower leg.

An affordable tension device for maintaining tension on a wire rope of a cable-based lifting system is provided. The tension device has an elongated casting weight adapted to govern the casting weight as it rides along a predetermined wire rope for maintaining tension thereon. The tension device provides a clevis with a sheave for operatively associating with the tension wire rope.

A system arrangement for the drive train of lifting mechanisms, such as crane lifting mechanisms, is disclosed. The system arrangement includes at least one drive motor (1, 1), at least one cable drum (2, 2) connected thereto, a reduction transmission (3) arranged between the drive motor (1, 1) and the cable drum (2, 2), an automatic overrun shutdown freewheel (6), and at least one safety brake (4, 4). To optimize such a drive train, at least one active motor locking assembly (5, 5) is utilized to hold the load when the drive motor (1, 1) is decelerated electrically to a rotary speed of zero. The active motor locking assembly is utilized instead of at least one passive operating brake.

A chain and cable handling winch system comprising of a winch, the winch having a winch axle, the winch axle having a winch axle end adapted to mount a chain wheel thereon in a working position a cable drum mounted on the winch axle a frame, supporting the winch axle such that the winch axle is supported on opposite sides of the cable drum by a first and second support, the first support being located inbetween the cable drum and the chain wheel end of the winch axle; and a motor drive adapted to drive the winch a chain wheel, the chain wheel having a chain wheel body with a central opening adapted to engage the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel being in a working position when mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle a chain wheel lock assembly, wherein the assembly is adapted to releasably secure the chain wheel in the working position on the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel lock assembly comprising one or more locking members movable between a locking position and an unlocking position; and a chain wheel manipulator adapted to the exchange the chain wheel mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle for another chain wheel, the chain wheel manipulator having a chain wheel support adapted to support a chain wheel, the chain wheel support being positionable in a chain wheel exchange position adjacent to the chain wheel end of the winch axle to mount a chain wheel onto the winch axle end and to dismount the chain wheel from the winch axle end.

A chain and cable handling winch system including a winch, a cable drum, a chain wheel, and a chain wheel lock assembly is provided. The chain wheel lock assembly releasable secures the chain wheel in a working position on a winch axle end. An interface body is mounted on the winch axle end such that it rotates with the axle. When the chain wheel is in its working position, slots and/or ribs of the chain wheel interlock with corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body, such that a torque load is transferred from the chain wheel to the winch axle via the interface body. The winch system further includes a chain wheel manipulator adapted to the exchange chain wheel mounted on the winch axle for another chain wheel.