10 Things to Consider When Buying Industrial Drone Winch

We have them on rescue trucks for vehicle stabilization and load lifting and on brush trucks and special units for off-road operations. I know some departments put them on engines, based on their response areas and special operational needs, such as pulling dumpsters out of trash rooms at malls and commercial buildings.

The most important thing to keep in mind when selecting a winch is how and where you’ll be using it – what weights you want to control and under what conditions.

You need to consider the weight, type and frame strength of the vehicle on which you want to mount the winch. Buying a heavy-duty winch doesn’t make a lot of sense if your vehicle isn’t strong enough to use all of the winch’s power. You will also need to decide between an electric or hydraulic winch and whether to use wire or synthetic cable.

Electric Versus Hydraulic

The difference between an electric and a hydraulic winch is the power source. Electric winches are linked to your vehicle’s electrical system and battery, while hydraulic winches tap into your power steering pump or vehicle hydraulic/PTO system. These two power sources offer certain advantages and disadvantages.

Electric winches are very easy to install, and there are a wide range of models to meet the needs of your department. The big disadvantage of an electric winch is the strain it puts on your vehicle’s electrical system, and most electrical systems are maxed out to begin with. Make sure you have enough power to take full advantage of the winch.

The electric winch generates a large amount of heat at the motor and potentially to the electrical system based on operation length and the loads involved, limiting the energy supply and capabilities.

Hydraulic winches have a limitless supply of energy from the hydraulic power pump. The installation of a hydraulic winch is pretty involved, and you need to make sure you purchase one with the appropriate amount of power for what you are trying to do. You should consider whether you want some extra power for special occasions.  

Be sure to check the rated line pull of the winch – the maximum load that can be exerted on the cable. 

Weight Considerations

Another thing to consider is the weight of the winch itself. Depending on where it is mounted, if a winch is too heavy, it could cause the front end, rear or side of the vehicle to be off balance, creating a host of problems. For a portable winch, the heavier it is, the more difficult it will be to deploy. If you have a portable winch, make sure you store it in a low position where it is easy to reach.

Consider what type of drive train you want. The winch’s gear train has the important job of transforming the energy from the motor into pulling power and controlling power. It is like a vehicle transmission, using gears to make the conversion.  

Cable Selection

A planetary gear transmission is the most common. It has multiple gears working together to deliver faster line speeds, but can create heat. A worm gear transmission has only two gears and the ability to generate massive power at a cooler operating temperature, but at the cost of a slower line speed.

Regarding cable selection, both steel and synthetic cables are incredibly strong. Synthetic cables are prone to damage and have a greater chance of snapping. Steel cables are more durable, but they add extra weight and can be incredibly dangerous if they break. Synthetic cables require more care and protection during a pull, but they cut down on weight and are much safer if they break. 

For our business, steel cable is probably the best choice.

To find the right winch for your department, take a look at off-roading and four-wheel drive magazines, fire and rescue publications and towing and construction magazines. Check out the catalogs and Web sites of manufacturers, such as Warn Industries, and look at what others have purchased.

For fire apparatus, you will find everything from portable mounted winches to large cranes.

The Lutherville (Md.) Volunteer Fire Company’s rescue vehicle is outfitted with an 8-ton crane with a 37-foot reach and a 10-ton winch.

The Monroeville (Pa.) Fire Department, located just east of Pittsburgh where the Pennsylvania Turnpike meets U.S. Route 22, set up its Rescue 4 with a 12,000-pound front-mounted winch and a portable 5,000-pound winch with receiver locations on all sides of the apparatus. Both winches have been used on various occasions for vehicle stabilization.

The portable winch allows flexibility in positioning the apparatus. Having to put the rescue perpendicular to the flow of traffic in order to use the front-mount winch would not only be hazardous in certain situations, but sometimes impossible.

Another slick thing Monroeville did was to put the receiver mounts by tie-off points for rope rescue if needed.

When specifying a vehicle-mounted winch or receivers for a portable winch, make sure everything is installed to the manufacturer’s requirements and properly secured to the vehicle’s frame. Also make sure all wiring is heavy enough.

Controls should be accessible, and should allow the operator to stand off to the side in case of cable failure. Operators should wear PPE, eye protection and gloves.

There are a host of accessories for winches, such as block and tackle and various riggings. Make sure you select accessories that meet the same rating as your winch.

Special thanks to Chief Doug Cole and the Monroeville #4 Fire Company for their assistance. As always, stay safe and return to quarters.

Editor’s Note: Allen Baldwin is the manager of operations and incident response for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and a volunteer assistant chief with the Gettysburg (Pa.) Fire Department. He has been a firefighter and EMT for over 25 years, served as chief of the Chambersburg (Pa.) Fire Department and is an instructor with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and several community colleges.
 

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The popularity of commercial drones has been steadily increasing over the past few years. From high-resolution cameras to logistics and transportation, drone technology has evolved to the point where it is no longer a fragile camera that cannot raise payload items.

Heavy lift drones are large drones with the ability to carry and operate 10 pounds and more of heavy payloads used to transport cargo, packages, food, medical supplies, etc. These drones are not only designed to lift cargo and materials but also heavy-duty cameras used for photography and videography.

If you are looking for such a heavy-duty drone that can carry weight or things, you are just on the right page. Below, we review the best heavy lifting drones in the market. We'll also look at how a heavy payload drone works and how much weight a drone can carry.

How much weight can a drone carry?

Asking how much weight a drone can carry is like asking how fast a car can go. The short answer is that how much a drone can carry depends on the type of UAV and the purposes for which it is designed.

The function of amateur drones is not to carry extra loads, but to take pictures and help beginners learn the basics of flying. They can usually only hold 500g, or even less than 100g in some cases.

Heavy lifting drones are different in that they are specifically designed to carry weight, such as those used for drone delivery. The technology behind these is quite impressive, and they can generally handle payloads of 20 kg to 220 kg. Some drones have the ability to carry more than 50% of their original weight as an additional payload.

What are heavy lift drones used for?

Many companies have identified commercial and military applications for heavy payload drones and are taking advantage of the opportunity to use drones for multiple purposes to effectively manage their workflows.

Engineering projects

Engineering companies can make good use of heavy-duty drones carrying high-quality cameras, which they can use for in-depth projects such as maintenance inspections, transmission cables, and oil pipelines. A drone in construction can also help engineers perform various critical activities such as airport planning and road maintenance, making efficiency exponentially higher.

Cargo and delivery

Drone delivery is one of the fastest-growing and most popular applications of drones. Cargo drones are being used to deliver medical and healthcare supplies such as medicines, blood, and vaccines. Heavy lift delivery drones can also deliver goods and mail to remote communities, which is both faster and cheaper than transitional transportation methods.

Agriculture sector

Farmers can reap multiple benefits from heavy-lift agricultural drones, which they can use for spraying fertilizer or pesticide. Using this technology to perform these time-consuming tasks can help farmers save significant amounts of overhead and time.

Disaster relief

Heavy lift drones are also used for emergency response, which can bring food, fuel, water, supplies, medicine, communications, and even electricity to areas hard hit by natural or man-made disasters - and can do so faster and more efficiently than any other platform.

Military service

Military heavy lift drones have improved military capabilities around the world in many ways; they are used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and transporting materials such as explosives and heavy weapons. They can also deliver equipment to areas that are too dangerous for manned flight, such as resupply in frontline areas, and casualty evacuation.

Components of a heavy payload drone

The average heavy payload drone is made up of three important parts. Below is a list of the parts that make up a heavy lift drone and what they do:

Heavy lift drone motors

Taking off with heavy weight is not an easy task. The heavy lift drone motors must generate a lot of upward propulsion. Generally, larger and heavier drones use brushless motors because they can carry the extra weight of the electronics. In addition to this, innovative counter-rotating drone motors are becoming popular, offering greater thrust and higher efficiency than standard single-rotating motors.

Heavy lift drone propellers

Constructed of carbon fiber, which is lighter than plastic, the propellers of heavy-duty drones provide better flight performance. Typically, heavy lift multi-rotors have greater than four propellers, their longer blades give the stability and balance needed, and the smaller pitch easily carries the extra weight associated with the longer blades.

Heavy lift drone gimbal

Gimbals for heavy-duty UAVs are designed to accommodate a wide range of cameras, sensors, and payloads, providing stable footage for numerous industrial applications, such as mapping and surveys. With the gimbal attachment, the concern that the pilot must keep the drone stable while flying is eliminated because the gimbal's sophisticated technology allows for an almost completely automated process. There is no need to worry about the drone's lens wobbling.

Factors to consider before buying a heavy lift drone

Before purchasing a heavy lift drone, it is important to consider the features and functions that the drone has to ensure that it will do its job.

Purpose

The first thing you need to consider before buying a drone is "why should I buy it?" because this will determine how you use the drone and whether it needs to carry additional cameras or sensors.

Flight time

Since you will be using these types of drones to lift objects, you must consider the battery life that will allow you to stay in the air for longer. If a drone can carry 20 kg but can only stay in the air for 5 minutes, it is useless because it can't even reach the set destination.

• Are you looking for a drone with longest flight time? Click to see the list of the top 10 long-flying drones in .

Type of payload

We recommend buying a drone with a built-in camera, but not every drone is equipped with one. You need to be aware of the mechanism you will use to allow the drone to carry a payload. Can it be carried with a traditional connection, or will you need to customize a solution for your specific situation?

Price

Another key factor is whether the price of the drone fits your budget. Drones range from entry-level to high-end drones, with all the bells and whistles. Before spending any money, you need to think about the drone model and features you really need.

For more information, please visit NEW WING Drone Winch.

JOUAV PH-20 - Best LiDAR drone that can carry 22 lbs

Engineered with a hexacopter design, the PH-20's prowess lies in its ability to effortlessly carry payloads up to 20 pounds, making it an ideal carrier for high-quality LiDAR equipment. Its impressive 70-minute maximum flight time and swift 18m/s maximum flight speed allow you to cover vast areas with unparalleled agility.

Crafted from a blend of aluminum alloy and high-performance composite materials, this LiDAR drone seamlessly integrates an intelligent flight system, a triple redundancy IMU, and adaptive controls for ultimate precision. Its onboard microcomputer effortlessly manages a diverse array of data types.

Additionally, fail-safe measures provide an extra layer of security, including automatic return in cases of data link loss or low voltage. Featuring obstacle avoidance radar, IP55 protection, a wind resistance rating of 8, and an impressive maximum altitude of 4,500 meters, the PH-20 thrives in the face of challenging environments.

JOUAV CW-30E - Best surveillance drone that can carry 20 lbs

As a very versatile and efficient VTOL fixed-wing drone, JOUAV CW-30E is one of the most effective autonomous security drones on the market. The CW-30E features a flight time of 400 minutes, a maximum flight speed of 90 km/h, and a transmission distance of up to 200 km.

With the built-in MG-170E dual EO/IR gimbal camera, the CW-30E can perform AI automatic identification, tracking, and positioning of people and objects, and transmit real-time video to the command center. This thermal drone has been widely used in border patrol, emergency response, energy inspection, fire fighting, search and rescue, etc.

The CW-30E large drone with a camera is very easy to use thanks to a fantastic autopilot system and excellent obstacle avoidance system that allow the device to take off capture data, and land on its own.

Freefly Alta X - Best cinema drone that can carry 35 lbs

With an impressive lifting capacity of 35 lbs (15 kg),Freefly Alta X redefines what's possible in cinematography. Whether you're aiming to capture breathtaking landscapes, dynamic action sequences, or intricate aerial shots, the Alta X empowers your creative vision like never before. Its robust design and cutting-edge engineering ensure stability and precision, even when carrying heavy camera setups, making it the go-to choice for professional filmmakers who demand unparalleled performance.

Equipped with a remarkable flight time of 20 minutes, the Alta X doesn't just stop at lifting capacity – it combines endurance with power. Thanks to its adaptable design, flight time can vary based on payload and environmental conditions, providing flexibility for a range of shooting scenarios. With a top speed of 95 km/h, you can effortlessly track fast-paced subjects, achieving stunning cinematic sequences that were once thought impossible. 

Key specs:

• Max lifting weight: 15 kg (35 lbs)
• Flight time: 20 min (Depending on payload & environment)
• Max speed: 95 km/h
• Max Transmission Distance: 5 km
• Unfolded Diameter: mm×877 mm×387 mm (Including Props)
• Typical standard empty weight: 10.86 kg
• Operating temperature: -10° to 40°C

JOUAV CW-80E - Best mapping drone that can carry 50 lbs

The CW-80E can stay afloat for more than 840 minutes at a maximum speed of 135 km/h. With a payload capacity of up to 25 kg, the long range drone allows the flexibility to carry large high-end sensors, such as hyperspectral and bathymetric LiDARs, and SAR radar for large-area surveys.

Combined with the RTK and PPK modules, this big drone with camera not only provides highly accurate data but also ensures that you get the maximum possible coverage. In addition, the CW-80E RTK drone completes its mission completely autonomously from takeoff to landing, even out of communication range.

The CW-80E drone is equipped with built-in software, FlightSurv, for easy management of data acquisition. This intuitive application allows you to automate your UAV flight planning, data acquisition, and image transmission. In addition, it helps you create detailed and accurate 2D and 3D visualizations.

• Read more: What is 3D drone mapping? What is used for?

DJI FlyCart 30 - Best delivery drone that can carry 50 lbs

The DJI FlyCart 30, boasting a maximum payload of 30 kg, 18 minutes of flight time with dual batteries, and a delivery range of 16 km at a top speed of 20 m/s, provides a dependable and efficient solution for aerial deliveries. Its robust design enables the drone to withstand extreme conditions, ensuring reliable performance even in challenging environments.

Designed to meet diverse delivery needs, this heavy payload drone supports two payload configurations: cargo mode and winch mode. The winch system facilitates safe deliveries in areas lacking a secure landing site, ensuring precise and controlled drops with intelligent payload sensing.

Equipped with advanced technologies such as DJI O3 transmission, 4G enhanced transmission, and an FPV gimbal camera, the FlyCart 30 ensures clear and stable live feeds in various operational scenarios. Additional features like dual-operator mode, front and rear active phased array radars, a dual binocular vision system, and multi-directional obstacle sensing enhance safety and operational capabilities.

Key specs:

• Max lifting weight: 30 kg (66 lbs)
• Flight time: 18 min with dual batteries
• Max speed: 72 km/h
• Max Transmission Distance: 28 km
• Size: mm x mm x 947 mm (arms extended, propellers extended)
• Weight: 42.5kg (without batteries)

FAQ

How much does a large drone cost?

The average cost of a large drone is over $48,000, depending on the configuration required. Yep, they are so expensive! The batteries alone to run such a heavy drone are very expensive. Not to mention, they require expensive power-hungry motors to spin the large propellers that provide enough thrust to overcome gravity.

• Read more: How much does a drone cost? Here's a price breakdown

Can you buy a drone that can lift a person?

Yes, certain large commercial drones can lift and carry a person, like Ehang 184 and GRIFF Aviation 300. Their lifting capacity depends on the power, dead weight, type of propeller, and the number of motors.

In the past, the batteries were too heavy to carry enough energy to create enough lift to get off the ground. The motors were not efficient enough to convert enough power to the blades. However, with the development of brushless motors, LiPO batteries, and gas powered drones these conditions have changed.

Nowadays, many giant drones can lift more than 400 lbs, which means they can easily lift a person as well.

What is the largest drone you can fly without a license?

According to the FAA Small Drone Rule Part 107, for drones weighing more than 250 grams, you need a license or permit, even if your drone is just for fun.

How far can a large drone fly?

It depends on what the large drone is designed for. Delivery and passenger drones generally have a range from 500- km. But efficient surveillance drones needs need a range of 10-150 km, and for mapping drones a range of 4-8 km is sufficient.

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