Name: Plumett auto-capstan winch
Brand: Plumettaz Ltd, Bex, Switzerland (UK distributor Fuller, Lucas & Co. Ltd, Crowborough)

Description

Cable winch mounted between the front seats and driven from the centre PTO: a multi-groove pulley block acts as a capstan so pull and speed do not vary with cable on the drum, while a friction-clutch storage drum holds 750 ft of wire rope. A torque limiter sits between the PTO and the capstan, and the cable passes under the chassis through a pulley that swivels 360 degrees, so the vehicle can pull in any direction or haul itself up slopes; shown on a 109 Station Wagon equipped for electric line construction.

Requires centre PTO; brochure shows a Series IIA 109 Station Wagon

Rarity. Approved implement from 1964 sold mainly to electricity boards and the GPO for line and cable work; used GPO-pattern lower units still surface (lr-winches lists one at €967) but complete Land Rover installations are seldom seen.

Record: 2 sources; designation recorded; no price recorded.

Specification

MAKERPlumettaz Ltd, Bex, Switzerland (UK distributor Fuller, Lucas & Co. Ltd, Crowborough), Switzerland

DESIGNATION / PARTPlumett Auto-Capstan Winch

MADE1964–now

RARITYRare — Approved implement from 1964 sold mainly to electricity boards and the GPO for line and cable work; used GPO-pattern lower units still surface (lr-winches lists one at €967) but complete Land Rover installations are seldom seen.

CABLE CAPACITY FT750

DRIVEcentre PTO; speed by gear lever, clutch and throttle

SAFETYtorque limiter; free-wheel/brake auto-tensioning; anchor eye on pulley housing

MOUNTINGbetween driver and passenger seats, cable out under chassis via 360° pulley

USESelectric line construction, cable pulling, timber hauling, self-recovery