60 kN Self-Contained Diesel Cable Hauling Capstan
60 kN Self-Contained Diesel Cable Hauling Capstan
A self-contained 60 kN diesel cable hauling capstan built in Yatala with a full digital display and data recording, delivering controlled cable pulls on construction and utility sites with no mains power.
Capstan Winch Project Overview
A custom-built 60 kN diesel winch for hauling
A 60 kN self-contained diesel powered cable hauling capstan built for underground cable installation contractors, with a full digital display and data recording of every pull. The capstan design has been refined over several builds: an open-frame unit with a mesh cage, a fully enclosed blue unit with a walkway and monitoring screen, and a later black unit with high-visibility guarding. All of them share the same purpose of pulling long lengths of power or communications cable through conduit at a controlled, recorded tension so the contractor can prove to the asset owner that the cable was never over-stressed. Engineered, built and tested at our Yatala, Queensland workshop.
Key Project Highlights
Exceptional performance, precision and reliability
This 60 kN self-contained diesel cable hauling capstan was developed for high-volume underground cable installation with recorded pull data. Headline specifications:
60 kN
Rated Capacity
Capstan
Rope Storage
Construction
Industry
Hauling
Application
Design & Manufacturing Considerations
Built for durability and efficiency in demanding environments
Refined over several builds with cable installation crews and assembled in-house at Yatala. Key design considerations:
Heavy-Duty
Steel Frame
Material Choice
Diesel
Self-contained
Power System
60 kN
Rated Line Pull
Drive System
Manual
Standard Control
Control / Brake
Operational & Technical Breakdown
An in-depth look at the 60 kN self-contained diesel cable hauling capstan's performance and technical capabilities
Because a capstan grips the rope around its barrel rather than storing it on a drum, rope length is unlimited and the unit stays compact. The capstan head, gearbox and hydraulic motor are mounted in a fabricated steel frame with a diesel engine and hydraulic power pack enclosed behind lockable doors, an operator walkway on the working side and lifting points for a crane or forklift. A foot pedal starts and stops the pull so both hands stay free to manage the rope.
The Winch Monitoring System on the control cabinet shows line tension and distance in real time and records each pull to USB, giving the contractor a quality assurance record for every cable installed. Tension limits can be set for the cable being pulled, and the drive stops automatically if they are exceeded. The engine bay carries the battery, fuel and hydraulic reservoir inside the frame footprint, and the unit was load tested at Yatala before dispatch.
Other Winch Applications
Versatile winching solutions across multiple industries.
Beyond construction, a self-contained cable hauling capstan with tension recording suits utilities, telecommunications and mining contractors installing cable wherever site power is unavailable.
Cable pulling and equipment positioning on wind and solar farm construction – self-contained diesel power for greenfield sites before the grid connection exists.
Cable hauling, conveyor belt pulls and equipment recovery at surface and underground operations – skid-mounted diesel-hydraulic power that travels with the crew.
Project Conclusion
The 60 kN self-contained diesel cable hauling capstan is a proven ACW design that keeps improving with every build, giving cable installers a compact, recorded and certified pull. Designed, built and tested in Yatala by Australian Certified Winches.
Like every winch we build, it was designed to AS 1418, the Australian Standard for cranes, hoists and winches, and signed off by our RPEQ-registered engineers before load testing in Yatala.
Get in Touch
Need Help?
- [email protected]
- 2/14 Freight Street, Yatala, QLD 4207
See What Our Clients Say
Get in Touch
Email Us
Contact
Address
2/14 Freight Street, Yatala, QLD 4207
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about diesel cable hauling capstans and recorded cable pulls.
What is the advantage of a capstan over a drum winch for cable pulling?
A capstan drives the rope by friction around its barrel, so the rope length is not limited by a drum and the same machine handles short and very long pulls. It also keeps the pulling force constant regardless of how much rope is out, which matters when cable tension has to stay within limits.
What does the data recording capture?
The monitoring system logs line tension and distance for each pull and saves the record to USB. Contractors hand that file to the asset owner as proof the cable was installed within its rated tension, which many utilities and telecommunications clients now require.
Does the capstan need site power?
No. The unit carries its own diesel engine, hydraulic power pack, battery and fuel inside the frame, so it can be set up at a pit or joint bay with no generator. Sound attenuation keeps the noise down for crews working beside it.
How is the pull controlled?
The operator uses a foot pedal so both hands stay on the rope, with speed and tension limits set on the touch screen. If the set tension is exceeded the drive stops automatically, and an emergency stop is fitted at the operator station.
Can ACW build the capstan to a different capacity?
Yes. The same design has been built in 30 kN and 60 kN versions with different engine sizes and frame layouts, and ACW can adjust line pull, rope size and guarding to suit the cables and sites you work on.
Pulling Cable Off-Grid?
Tell us the cable weight, the pull length and the site conditions. Our RPEQ engineers will size a certified capstan winch for it.