Improved design features a multiple-planetary drive/backstop-clutch assembled on the center shaft of a steel gearcase with full-length internal teeth. This design handles more rugged jobs, extends service life and reduces maintenance. Lightweight yet powerful, these portable hoists move many heavyweight tasks and can get into remote or difficult-access sites. Examples: Setting utility poles, pulling wheeled equipment over obstacles, raising transformers (even over fences in back lots), hoisting heavy insulators, stringing and tensioning conductors, pulling cable (indoors and underground). Operator effort remains low for typical loads simply by adding wraps on the capstan drum. So little effort is required, any crew member can run the hoist. Control is so accurate, loads can be moved fractions of an inch.