An appliance fixed in the headgear to limit the drop of a cage after an overwind. The upward speed and momentum of the loaded cage (after its release from the rope) may be such that its subsequent drop is so severe as to fracture the suspension gear, resulting in the cage falling down the shaft. The amount of drop is limited by the catch gear, which consists of a series of catches suspended from beams supported on hydropneumatic buffers to reduce the impact shock. The cage is released by raising it slightly and retracting the catches.