old worm and sector, it could be a steering gear or anything.
found it on a old closed forest road. Logging equipment? Bulldozer maybe. But what part of the machine is it on. Front or rear? I thought it was steering also. But buddy thought a snatch Box part. The casting has so many curves on the casing.
Need a lot more details. It could be off anything. The shape of the teeth makes me think it was some sort of pawl arrangement that had a kind of ratcheting mechanism. The teeth are angled more one way. Maybe to hold something in various positions safely without falling. Not sure if the worm gear is related or not.
First thought is a traction engine steering worm drive. But might be too small.
I assume you found it close by, (New Mexico) My thought /guess is a manual guyline drum drive for a baby tower.