We have an electric winch that handles 5 lines through brakes in the cockpit. We ease the headsail and hit the electric. As it starts getting tight we ease it some more and continue till it's furled. We reef it the same way, under partial load.

I have a toggle switch for the winch at the wheel. Never have to leave the helm to furl the headsail. Just load it up, engage the switch and watch it slowly disappear.