One of the interesting things I’ve noticed since I acquired the Beta Site is that many people, people I know in real life and internet strangers, suddenly become invested in the adventure. I get a goodly amount of messages of people saying they are living vicariously through my experiences and that I’m doing something they’ve always wanted and haven’t gotten to do yet.

People who know me in ‘real life’, as it were, are also very happy for me. I get quite a few offers of people wanting to come up there and help, or to loan me equipment, etc, etc. One thing that a friend dropped off on ‘indefinite loan’ is this cast metal monster:

Its a Beebe Bros. 2-ton hand winch. You anchor this monster to a solid object (hence, the chains), play out the line to the object you want pulled, and start cranking. These things turn up sometimes at ranch and farm auctions. I like the idea of a hand-powered winch that I can use up at the Beta Site for moving heavy objects. Here’s some more detail on it.

This thing has some weight to it but there isn’t a part on it that isnt made of metal. This is one of those utilitarian objects built back when you built something like a tank and expected it last for generations.

My use for it is in moving a rock sled and some fallen timber around. Given my druthers, a lightweight portable ATV-style electric winch would be my first choice. But we don’t always get what we want and the apocalypse is certain to have a distinct lack of electricity. So…why not have something like this in the toolchest?

I’d like to thank the local person who dropped this thing in the back of my truck and said “theres no hurry in getting it back”. Much thanks.