Thanks for your insight JT.
Probably not limited by the wire
Because the crane is part of the aircraft structure I suspect it may have fallen under some aviation requirement. Depending on the helo winch model, wires were limited to between 300 and 600 pounds. Thought the crane may have been subject to the same analysis of load limiting, any patient wouldn't be impressed being dropped due to wire failure from the door onto the tarmac.
A bit about wires.
http://zephyrintl.com/wp-content/upl...0-27_FINAL.pdf
Advice is to fly a Bell 205, pilot seat was placarded for a minimum of 170 pounds up front - CoG related, and the inability to control pitch up in the event of an engine failure.