You're right Mike if I understand the issue correctly, I used to unload poles using a Pettibone Cary-lift and the wire rope had a looped end with a large connector. Google "looped wire rope" and you'll see how they are constructed.
Some drivers just used long chains and looped them around the poles and hooked them on to the trailer edge on one side and used the come-along on the other side hooked again to the edge of the trailer on the other side.
I love the build!