Abstract: An improved spooling device is provided having a drive shaft defining a track including conventional douple helices which are connected at their ends by parts of the track having any suitable curved or straight contour. An assembly on the drive shaft is made to reciprocate by engagement with the track for guiding a rope to and from a drum. The assembly includes two pivotal followers and a fixed center follower. When the assembly is moving axially in one direction, the pivotal followers are engaged in one helix and are in respective first positions. Then, when the assembly is returning in the opposite axial direction the followers are guided by the other helix and the pivotal followers are in respective second positions. Consequently the fixed follower and one of the pivotal followers take the load when the assembly is being moved in one direction whereas the fixed follower and the other of the pivotal followers take the load when moving the assembly in the opposite direction.