Difference between Capstan and Winch

What is the difference between Capstan and Winch?

Capstan as a noun is a vertical cleated drum or cylinder, revolving on an upright spindle, and surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for bars or levers. it is much used, especially on shipboard, for moving or raising heavy weights or exerting great power by traction upon a rope or cable, passing around the drum. it is operated either by steam power or by a number of men walking around the capstan, each pushing on the end of a lever fixed in its socket. while Winch as a noun is a machine consisting of a drum on an axle, a pawl, and a crank handle, with or without gearing, to give increased mechanical advantage when hauling on a rope.

Capstan

Part of speech: noun

Definition: A vertical cleated drum or cylinder, revolving on an upright spindle, and surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for bars or levers. It is much used, especially on shipboard, for moving or raising heavy weights or exerting great power by traction upon a rope or cable, passing around the drum. It is operated either by steam power or by a number of men walking around the capstan, each pushing on the end of a lever fixed in its socket. A rotating spindle used to move recording tape through the mechanism of a tape recorder.

Winch

Part of speech: noun

Definition: A machine consisting of a drum on an axle, a pawl, and a crank handle, with or without gearing, to give increased mechanical advantage when hauling on a rope.A hoisting machine used for loading or discharging cargo, or for hauling in lines. (FM 55-501).

Part of speech: verb

Definition: To use a winch

We hope you now know whether to use Capstan or Winch in your sentence.

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