I think my question more about English than Klingon.

Regarding the word {tlhegh jIrmoHwI'} which is translated as "windlass",
what other kinds of {X jIrmoHwI'} would make sense, and how would you
translate {jIrmoHwI'} without doing it literally?

In other words, is there a "windlass" not used with a rope?

The word derives from Old Norse words vinda ("to wind") and ass ("pole, beam"). I can't think of anything other than a tlhegh that can be wound around a beam to lift or lower something. Did you have something in particular in mind?

-- 
SuStel
http://trimboli.name