[TowerTalk] motorizing the hand winch on a US Tower MARB550

[tom scott]

I am thinking about motorizing the hand winch on this tower. In other words, just putting a belt or chain drive. Seems like this ought to be a lot cheaper than putting a motorwinch on it. The hand winch has a good friction brake that prevents runaway. 

Thoughts?

I have to decide on the drive ratio details, how fast would you drive it?