10 kN Hydraulic Survey Winch (Aluminium Construction)
10 kN Hydraulic Survey Winch (Aluminium Construction)
A 10 kN all-aluminium hydraulic marine survey winch and sheave built in Yatala, with 600 m of rope capacity for deploying and recovering survey equipment from vessels while keeping deck weight to a minimum.
Survey Winch Project Overview
A custom-built 10 kN aluminium hydraulic winch for marine survey hoisting
A 10 kN hydraulic survey winch and matching sheave, built entirely in aluminium for a marine research organisation deploying instruments over the side of a survey vessel. Weight was the deciding factor: the winch had to be light enough to move between vessels and mount on a deck without structural work, and it had to shrug off salt water for years. Aluminium side plates, frame and drum cheeks answered both, with a 600 m drum capacity for deep instrument deployment and a hydraulic motor for smooth, quiet control on deck. Engineered, machined and tested at our Yatala, Queensland workshop.
Key Project Highlights
Exceptional performance, precision and reliability
This 10 kN aluminium hydraulic survey winch was designed for oceanographic instrument hoisting from research vessels. Headline specifications:
10 kN
Rated Capacity
600 m
Rope Storage
Marine
Industry
Marine Survey
Application
Design & Manufacturing Considerations
Built for durability and efficiency in demanding environments
Specified with the research team for deck weight, corrosion life and instrument safety and assembled in-house at Yatala. Key design considerations:
Aluminium
Lightweight
Material Choice
Hydraulic
Powerpack
Power System
10 kN
Rated Line Pull
Drive System
Manual
Standard control
Control / Brake
Operational & Technical Breakdown
An in-depth look at the 10 kN aluminium hydraulic survey winch's performance and technical capabilities
The winch frame, side plates and drum cheeks are machined and welded marine-grade aluminium, finished white, with a large drum core so 600 m of instrument cable spools without tight bends that would damage conductors. The drum is driven by a hydraulic motor through a gearbox with a spring-applied brake, giving fine speed control for lowering sensitive instruments and a positive hold at any depth.
The companion sheave is a large-diameter aluminium block with a lifting eye at the top, sized to the same cable so the instrument line runs from the drum, over the davit and down to the water without a tight radius anywhere in the path. Both winch and sheave were load tested at Yatala and supplied with certification for the vessel’s lifting register.
Other Winch Applications
Versatile winching solutions across multiple industries.
Beyond marine research, lightweight aluminium winches suit survey boats, aquaculture vessels and any deck where weight and corrosion matter more than raw line pull.
Instrument deployment and sampling in reservoirs, dams and water treatment intakes – lightweight aluminium winches that two people can carry to the job.
Deploying sensors and survey gear for offshore wind and tidal site assessments – corrosion-resistant aluminium construction with long rope capacity.
Project Conclusion
The 10 kN aluminium hydraulic survey winch shows how ACW adapts materials to the job, delivering a light, corrosion-proof winch and sheave set for years of work at sea. Designed, built and tested in Yatala by Australian Certified Winches.
Like every winch we build, it was designed to AS 1418, the Australian Standard for cranes, hoists and winches, and signed off by our RPEQ-registered engineers before load testing in Yatala.
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- 2/14 Freight Street, Yatala, QLD 4207
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about aluminium survey winches and instrument deployment at sea.
Why build a survey winch in aluminium?
Aluminium cuts the deck weight of the winch by roughly two thirds compared with steel, which matters on a small research vessel, and marine-grade alloy does not rust in salt spray. For a 10 kN duty the material has ample strength, so the client gets a lighter winch with a longer life.
Why is a 600 m drum needed for a 10 kN winch?
Oceanographic instruments are lowered to depth on a long cable, so drum capacity, not line pull, drives the design. The large-core drum stores 600 m of instrument cable in even layers without bending the conductors too tightly.
What is the sheave for?
The sheave block guides the instrument cable from the winch over the davit or A-frame and down to the water. Its large diameter keeps the cable bend radius gentle, protecting the conductors inside, and it is built in the same aluminium as the winch.
How is instrument lowering controlled?
The hydraulic motor gives smooth, proportional speed control so instruments can be lowered slowly through the water column and stopped at set depths. A spring-applied brake holds the drum whenever the control is released.
Can the winch be moved between vessels?
Yes. Its light weight and compact frame let a small crane or davit lift it onto a different deck, and the mounting pattern is simple to replicate on a new base plate. Hydraulic connections use standard couplings.
Surveying Deep Water?
Tell us the instrument weight, the depth and the deck space. Our RPEQ engineers will size a certified survey winch for it.