Chain and cable handling winch system and a method for changing a chain wheel

A chain and cable handling winch system comprising:

• 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 winch axle end of the winch axle;
• and
• a motor drive adapted to drive the winch;
• the chain wheel, the chain wheel having:
• a chain wheel body with a central opening adapted to engage the winch axle end of the winch axle, the chain wheel being in a working position when mounted on the winch axle 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 winch axle 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
• an interface body, mounted on the winch axle end of the winch axle such that the interface body rotates with the winch axle, wherein the interface body is provided with slots and/or ribs and the chain wheel is provided with corresponding ribs and/or slots, the slots and/or ribs of the interface body being adapted to cooperate with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the chain wheel such that:
• when the chain wheel is mounted in the working position on the winch axle end of the winch axle, the slots and/or ribs of the chain wheel interlock with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body, such that, when the chain wheel is subjected to a tangential force generating a torque load about the winch axle, the torque load is transferred from the chain wheel to the winch axle via the interface body and visa versa;
• and
• when the chain wheel is moved out of the working position in a direction substantially parallel to the winch axle, the slots and/or ribs and the chain wheel unlock with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body.