A Spanish windless (or windlass) is a device for moving heavy loads such as rocks and logs.
WARNING
When setting up a Spanish Windless do not use nylon or other synthetic fiber ropes that stretch under a load. If you slip or let go of the poles the energy you used to stretch the rope will be released as the rope returns to its original length. This release of energy could cause the poles of the windless to spin around causing injuries to anyone near by. Natural fiber ropes, such as sisal, have little stretch; therefore are much safer to use.
MATERIALS:
 | 1 - 10' (3 meter, 8 cm) pole |
| 1 - 7' (2 meter, 8 cm) pole |
| 1 - 3/4" (2 cm) rope, 65' (or 20 meters) long (natural fiber) |
SET-UP:
STEP 1: Tie one end of the rope to the load and the other end to a secure
anchor point. Leave some slack in the rope so that the windless can be rigged.
STEP 2: Follow the diagrams to set up the poles at the mid point of the rope.
STEP 3: While one person holds the upright pole, a second person rotates the
longer pole around the upright so that the rope begins to wrap around the
upright pole. Adjust the height of the rope so that it can be easily stepped
over.
STEP 4: Continue to rotate the longer pole around the upright.
STEP 5: As the rope wraps around the upright it will be necessary to move the
base of the upright to keep it vertical.
NOTE: Be careful that the two ends of the rope are kept at the same level on the upright.