General Machine Products Company, Inc. introduces the Sidewinder Pull & Assist Winch (Sidewinder). The Sidewinder features a 32 inch (81.28 cm) diameter capstan that provides a controlled force when pulling rope or tape.  The winch can also be placed at the mid point of a section to assist in the placement of fiber optic and other telecommunications cable, thus enabling longer pulls to be achieved. The Sidewinder's controlled force capability ensures proper tension during telecommunication cable installation.

The winch is mounted on a sturdy, all-steel fabricated chassis. It is equipped with torsional suspension axles, stabilizing prop legs, a front telescopic jockey wheel and a tow bar with a Lunette Ring. At 1400 lbs. (635 kg), the unit is easily pulled by a standard pickup truck. 

The Sidewinder features a commercial grade Honda GX390 gasoline engine, which drives the fixed displacement, tandem mounted, hydraulic pumps. The hydraulic pump is attached to the engine via a bell housing and flexible coupling. One pump powers a hydraulic motor, through an in-line planetary gearbox, to the capstan while the second pump drives the rope take-up drum through a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic oil tank is fitted with double filtration protection, sight glass and filler/breather. The Sidewinder's controls are operator friendly and very simple to use. A spring centered lever controls the direction of rotation of the capstan, while a detented lever engages the take-drum drive. A control knob is used to limit the rope/cable tension using the panel mounted tension indicator.

The rope take-up drum is removable and can be split to enable rope removal. The capstan can be rotated through 90° on a swivel bracket from the inline working position to the transverse transit position when in tow. When the winch is in use, the rear props can be extended out of the chassis to provide greater stability.