Winch

A machine that winds rope or cable around a drum to pull, lift, or position a load. Its drum converts rotational force into tension along the line.

Winch drum: A rotating cylinder around which a winch winds rope or cable. The drum stores the line and converts its rotation into winding or payout.
Rope: A flexible length of fibers twisted or braided together to carry tensile loads. Rope is a common line that transmits a winch’s pull to an attached load.
Vehicle recovery: The recovery of a disabled or immobilized vehicle using towing or pulling equipment. A vehicle-mounted winch can pull a vehicle free when traction alone is insufficient.
Pulley: A grooved wheel that guides a rope or cable and can redirect force or provide mechanical advantage. A pulley guides or redirects a line; a winch actively winds it onto a drum.
Capstan: A rotating drum that moves a rope through friction, usually without storing it in coils. Unlike a winch drum, a capstan typically pulls a continuous line rather than winding it for storage.
Wire rope: A flexible cable made from multiple strands of metal wire twisted around a core. Wire rope is chosen for many winches where strength and durability are required.
Anchor windlass: A deck machine that raises or lowers an anchor and its chain or rope. A windlass is specialized for anchor handling, unlike a general-purpose winch.
Block and tackle: A system of pulleys and rope arranged to multiply force when lifting or pulling a load. It gains mechanical advantage through multiple line segments rather than a powered drum.
Gear train: An arrangement of meshing gears that transmits motion and changes torque or speed. Gearing lets the winch trade drum speed for greater pulling force.
Tension (physics): The pulling force transmitted through a stretched rope, cable, or similar connector. A winch acts chiefly by creating tension in its line.

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