For haulage to the surface through a mine shaft, the surface gear includes a winding drum of cylindrical or cylindroconical form on which the winding rope (hoisting rope) is coiled as the cage, or skip or kibble, is raised, and from which it is paid off as the return journey is made. Two such receptacles are usually worked simultaneously in balanced hoisting, one rising as the other descends, from a compound drum. The drum is driven by the winding engine.