Load-facing winch

A winch comprising:

• a motor;
• a rotatable drum for winding a line;
• wherein the rotatable drum is connected to the motor;
• a winch-line-guide for positioning the line during winding, comprising:
• an elongated rod extending longitudinally within a frame for the rotatable drum and in substantially parallel relation to the axis of rotation of the drum,
• a fairlead through which the line penetrates,
• wherein the fairlead is connected to the rod, and
• wherein the fairlead is movable along the length of the rod;
• a winch-mount comprising:
• a housing;
• wherein the housing is attached to a primary support object;
• a center-pivot;
• wherein the center-pivot is attached to the housing;
• wherein the axis of rotation of the center-pivot is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum, and the axis of rotation of the center-pivot passes through the drum;
• a mounting-plate to which the rotatable drum is attached;
• wherein the mounting-plate is rotatably connected to the center-pivot;
• a plurality of springs each attached at one end to the housing and at the other end to the mounting-plate for biasing rotation of the mounting plate about the center-pivot;
• and
• wherein, when the fairlead is unable to move along the length of the guide rod due to a force of a load working against a movement direction of the fairlead, the winch and mounting plate rotate about the center-pivot such that the force of the load is relieved, and the fairlead is able to move along the length of the guide rod.