On 2010-04-12, Lloyd E. Sponenburgh lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote:
"Pete C." fired this volley in news:4bc324e1$0$23605
:

Despite the cable installed on one side, I
expect this was used more as a capstan winch for continuous pulling.
Many utility trucks I've seen have a similar hydraulic capstan winch
mounted on them.

I do not think that it is a capstan.


I sort of thought that, too; that it was a capstan. But the tag hole in
the drum indicates the cable was intended to terminate at the drum, rather
than just being wrapped a couple of turns.

The cables are terminated at the drum indeed and need to be cut to be
taken out.

i