Another common variety in hand winches is the traction conductor used, the "wire" that attaches to the hook, which in turn attaches to the object that needs to be moved or hoisted.
There are the models that use a metallic cable, most of the time absolutely made of steel, and those that use the so-called belt, which is a ribbon of synthetic material, usually nylon, and sometimes with elastic properties.
As is to be expected, there are practical differences in the use of these conductors, although the operation is the same, being rolled up and unrolled on the winches' reels.
Cable models have greater strength and support a greater weight. They are used to move huge loads, and mainly to lift them. The belts, on the other hand, are more used in the so-called drag models, common in car towing situations.