Quick-Mount Winch

A family friend reached out to me in the pursuit of enhancing the functionality of his electric golf cart employed for tree felling and property maintenance, a technical challenge arose: integrating a powerful 2000lbf-rated winch while ensuring quick-release capabilities to accommodate space constraints and minimize added weight. A permanently mounted winch would prevent the cart from fitting in the shed and add significant weight at all times. This endeavor led to the design and manufacturing of a quick-release winch mount, showcasing a blend of machining and welding skills.

The heart of this project revolved around the creation of a two-plate system. The first plate, attached to the golf cart, featured a lip, essential for its quick mount properties and securing the winch. The welding of this lip ensured its structural integrity, capable of withstanding the moment loads excerted by the pulling force of the winching process. The second plate was integrated onto the back of the winch unit and designed to fit snugly into the lip of the cart-mounted plate.

Central to the functionality of this system were two quick-release locking levers, mounted to the top of the winch housing. These levers engaged with hooks bolted onto the cart-mounted plate, providing a secure and rapid attachment and detachment mechanism. This approach not only facilitated the swift installation and removal of the winch but also ensured a robust and dependable connection.

Considering the substantial moment load demands placed on the relatively small lip of the cart-mounted plate, I decided to utilize steel for its construction. The use of steel not only bolstered structural integrity but also facilitated the welding process, simplifying assembly and machining tasks. This project served as an invaluable opportunity to hone skills in machining steel and welding strong joints, showcasing a dedication to technical craftsmanship and innovation.

This project developed my skills in:

Machining
Welding
3D Modeling (SolidWorks)
Material selection

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