Cable storage drum-reels, methods and systems are provided for deploying and retracting at least one push-cable with a distally mounted camera into and out of a pipe or cavity for applications such as plumbing and underground utility location. In an exemplary embodiment, a cable storage drum may include a centrally mounted axially projecting hub, and a housing to removably receive and rotatably support the cable storage drum. The housing may include an inside portion, and an outside portion with a front face and a rear face. The front face has an opening and is sloped inward toward the inside portion of the drum allowing a push-cable to be directed as desired into the cable storage drum and around the drum-reel. One or more cable guide points may be included for providing additional directional guidance of the push-cable into the drum and onto the hub.

Cable storage drum-reels, methods and systems are provided for deploying and retracting at least one push-cable with a distally mounted camera into and out of a pipe or cavity for applications such as plumbing and underground utility location. In an exemplary embodiment, a cable storage drum may include a centrally mounted axially projecting hub, and a housing to removably receive and rotatably support the cable storage drum. The housing may include an inside portion, and an outside portion with a front face and a rear face. The front face has an opening and is sloped inward toward the inside portion of the drum allowing a push-cable to be directed as desired into the cable storage drum and around the drum-reel. One or more cable guide points may be included for providing additional directional guidance of the push-cable into the drum and onto the hub.

A winch drum device includes a first winch drum with an outer surface adapted to accommodate axially displaced turns of wire rope and further includes a wire rope storage means, such as a recess, extending at least partially radially in from said outer surface. The wire rope storage means is adapted to accommodate one or more layers of the wire rope.

The winch drum device may be incorporated into a winch.

A winch drum device includes a first winch drum with an outer surface adapted to accommodate axially displaced turns of wire rope and further includes a wire rope storage means, such as a recess, extending at least partially radially in from said outer surface. The wire rope storage means is adapted to accommodate one or more layers of the wire rope.

The winch drum device may be incorporated into a winch.

A winch with a spool having an axis of rotation and a helical groove formed thereon and a line around the spool in the helical groove. The winch also includes a motor configured to rotate the spool in a first direction to wind the line on the spool and a second direction to unwind the line from the spool. The helical groove includes a line cradle shaped to carry the line with a portion of the line protruding from the helical groove, and a channel extending below the line cradle. A portion of the channel is not occupied by the line. The winch also includes a line guide adjacent to the spool and configured to move axially along the spool. The line guide includes a tab that engages the channel to cause the line guide to move axially along the spool to wind or unwind the line.

A winch with a spool having an axis of rotation and a helical groove formed thereon and a line around the spool in the helical groove. The winch also includes a motor configured to rotate the spool in a first direction to wind the line on the spool and a second direction to unwind the line from the spool. The helical groove includes a line cradle shaped to carry the line with a portion of the line protruding from the helical groove, and a channel extending below the line cradle. A portion of the channel is not occupied by the line. The winch also includes a line guide adjacent to the spool and configured to move axially along the spool. The line guide includes a tab that engages the channel to cause the line guide to move axially along the spool to wind or unwind the line.

A rope pulling apparatus including a drum for having rope wound therearound and a drive apparatus for providing power to the rope pulling apparatus and driving the drum’s rotations. The rope pulling apparatus also includes a speed control apparatus monitoring the rope being pulled and wound on the drum and a controller for determining the speed of the rope and adjusting the drive apparatus to speed up or slow down the rotation of the drum responsive to the speed of the rope. A method of winding rope on a drum at a constant rope speed. The method includes winding a rope at a desired constant rope speed onto a drum with a rope pulling apparatus and determining a speed of the rope. The method also includes adjusting power of the rope pulling apparatus to achieve the desired constant speed.

A rope pulling apparatus including a drum for having rope wound therearound and a drive apparatus for providing power to the rope pulling apparatus and driving the drum’s rotations. The rope pulling apparatus also includes a speed control apparatus monitoring the rope being pulled and wound on the drum and a controller for determining the speed of the rope and adjusting the drive apparatus to speed up or slow down the rotation of the drum responsive to the speed of the rope. A method of winding rope on a drum at a constant rope speed. The method includes winding a rope at a desired constant rope speed onto a drum with a rope pulling apparatus and determining a speed of the rope. The method also includes adjusting power of the rope pulling apparatus to achieve the desired constant speed.

Antenna tower construction/deconstruction biasing assemblies are provided. The biasing assemblies can be configured to extend between a standard and an antenna tower. The assemblies can include: an adjustable linear extension extending between a first end configured to couple with the standard and a second end configured to couple with the antenna tower; and a biasing mechanism configured to adjust the length of the linear extension and maintain the rigid engagement during transitioning of the tower from a down/erect position to an erect/down position. Methods for constructing/deconstructing an antenna tower are provided. The methods can include providing a biasing assembly.

Antenna tower construction/deconstruction biasing assemblies are provided. The biasing assemblies can be configured to extend between a standard and an antenna tower. The assemblies can include: an adjustable linear extension extending between a first end configured to couple with the standard and a second end configured to couple with the antenna tower; and a biasing mechanism configured to adjust the length of the linear extension and maintain the rigid engagement during transitioning of the tower from a down/erect position to an erect/down position. Methods for constructing/deconstructing an antenna tower are provided. The methods can include providing a biasing assembly.