Fail-safe hydraulic vehicle winch

A four-port hydraulic valve assembly having first and second electrical coils for controlling, by means of a controller, the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic steering system of a vehicle and an accessory hydraulic winch motor attached to the vehicle, said first and second electrical coils having energized and de-energized states, said valve comprising:

• a first port connected to the hydraulic steering system for continuously receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic steering system;
• a second port connected to the hydraulic steering system for continuously outputting pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic steering system;
• a third port connected to the winch motor for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the winch motor when said first electrical coil is in an energized state so that the winch motor turns in a first direction;
• and
• a fourth port connected to the winch motor for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the winch motor when said second electrical coil is in an energized state so that the winch motor turns in a second direction.

A hydraulic winch controller for remotely controlling the operation of a hydraulic winch attached to a vehicle having a battery by selective energization of one or more valve solenoids attached to a hydraulic control valve, said controller comprising:

• an electrical connector for interconnecting the controller to the vehicle battery and the valve solenoid;
• an elongate electrical cord having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to the electrical connector;
• and
• a control unit having a safety switch moveable through a range of positions, said safety switch connected to the second end of said electrical cord for selective energization of the valve solenoid when said safety switch is manually depressed.

A cable spool assembly connected to a vehicle winch motor with a drive shaft for releasing and retrieving cable from a spool, comprising:

• a cable spool with cable, said cable spool having a first end and a second end;
• a support for supporting the first end of the cable spool;
• a gearbox housing for supporting the second end of the cable spool;
• wherein said drive shaft extends through the cable spool and connects to the gearbox housing so that the cable spool rotates in response to rotation of the drive shaft;
• and
• at least one rod for connecting the support and gearbox housing, whereby the cable spool is supported between the support and gearbox housing.

A hydraulic winch assembly which derives hydraulic power from a hydraulic power supply system of a vehicle with a battery, said winch assembly comprising:

• a hydraulic motor with a drive shaft;
• a cable spool connected to the drive shaft of the hydraulic motor;
• coupling means for interconnecting the cable spool and drive shaft;
• a valve having a plurality of valve positions, said valve having an input port connected to the hydraulic power supply system for continuously receiving hydraulic fluid and an output port connected to the hydraulic power supply system for continuously sending hydraulic fluid back to the hydraulic power supply system, said valve controlling the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to said motor;
• positioning means connected to said valve for placing the valve in a selected position;
• and
• a controller for selectively directing electrical power to the positioning means by an operator.