CMP Ford F-AT Quad...help?

[DaveW]

Can anyone explain some of this to me?
or give me more photos.

There appears to be a flat plate between the frame rails at the very rear?
Does it span rail to rail?
is it mounted below the rails (to the bottom of the frame rails?
Just how much area does it cover and what is it for?

Also...there are two cable reels...
what are these for?
And are they mounted below that plate I mentioned above?
is that the purpose of the flat plate? (a mounting surface?)

I'm guessing the two reels, create a guide for the tow cable...but I am guessing.
I assume these reels are not driven.
But are they brakes of some sort?

What about the diameter of these reels?

These are the only photos I have, and things aren't clear to me.