Abstract: A rope traction apparatus includes a sheave around which an intermediate length of traction rope extends. One run of the rope which is located on one side of the sheave provides a traction run while the run located on the other side thereof provides a free run. The sheave is firmly mounted on a drive shaft which is rotatably mounted on a frame assembly. The frame assembly is provided with an operating member which is rotatably mounted on a support shaft which extends parallel to the drive shaft. The operating member has its opposite ends located adjacent to the periphery of the sheave and each carry a roller having an axis which extends parallel to the drive shaft. One of the rollers is located to engage the traction run of the rope to cause an angular movement of the operating member in response to the tension therein. The other roller is located close to the sheave to hold the traction rope in a groove formed in the sheave as a result of the angular momentum applied to the operating member.