A multi-speed winch (70,80) is attached to a motor vehicle (200) and is hydraulically powered by the vehicle's power steering system (12). The winch operates in four possible modes. The high-speed mode is enabled by coupling the drive shaft (75) directly to the winch drum (80). The low-speed mode is enabled by coupling the drive shaft (75) to the winch drum (80) through a planetary gear assembly (83a-c,84). Free-spooling mode is achieved by disengaging the drive shaft (248) from the winch drum (250), and brake mode is achieved by engaging both the direct drive coupling (120) and the sun and planet gear arrangement (83a-c,84). The four operational modes are selected by four different combinations of positions of a direct drive selector handle (134) (which determines the position of the coupling plate) and a gear reduction handle (8) (which determines the position of a locking pin (85)). A four-way, dual solenoid-operated valve (20) controls the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the winch motor (70).
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