Pulley vs. Tow — What's the Difference?

A pulley is a wheel on an axle or shaft that is designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable or belt, or transfer of power between the shaft and cable or belt. In the case of a pulley supported by a frame or shell that does not transfer power to a shaft, but is used to guide the cable or exert a force, the supporting shell is called a block, and the pulley may be called a sheave.

To draw or pull behind by a chain or line

A wheel with a grooved rim around which a cord passes, which acts to change the direction of a force applied to the cord and is used to raise heavy weights.

The act or an instance of towing

Hoist with a pulley

Something, such as a tugboat, that tows.

A simple machine consisting essentially of a wheel with a grooved rim in which a pulled rope or chain can run to change the direction of the pull, for example to lift a load.

Something, such as a barge or car, that is towed.

A wheel turned by or driving a belt.

A rope or cable used in towing.

One of the simple machines; a sheave, a wheel with a grooved rim, in which a pulled rope or chain lifts an object (more useful when two or more pulleys are used together, as in a block and tackle arrangement, such that a small force moving through a greater distance can exert a larger force through a smaller distance).

Coarse broken flax or hemp fiber.

(transitive) To raise or lift by means of a pulley.

A continuous untwisted bundle of manufactured fibers.

A wheel with a broad rim, or grooved rim, for transmitting power from, or imparting power to, the different parts of machinery, or for changing the direction of motion, by means of a belt, cord, rope, or chain.

(transitive) To pull something behind one using a line or chain; to haul.

To raise or lift by means of a pulley.

To aid someone behind by shielding them from wind resistance.

A simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope

The act of towing and the condition of being towed.

Something, such as a tugboat, that tows.

Something, such as a barge, that is towed.

A rope or cable used in towing.

(motor racing) A speed increase given by driving in front of another car on a straight, which causes a slipstream for the car behind.

An untwisted bundle of fibres such as cellulose acetate, flax, hemp or jute.

(specifically) The short, coarse, less desirable fibres separated by hackling from the finer longer fibres (line).

The coarse and broken part of flax or hemp, separated from the finer part by the hatchel or swingle.

A rope by which anything is towed; a towline, or towrope.

The act of towing, or the state of being towed; - chiefly used in the phrase, to take in tow, that is to tow.

That which is towed, or drawn by a towline, as a barge, raft, collection of boats, ect.

To draw or pull through the water, as a vessel of any kind, by means of a rope.

The act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope;

Drag behind;