Need New Come Along, Power Puller, or Chain Hoist

[bulletpruf]

I use a come along fairly often -- usually pulling non-running cars into the garage or on a car trailer (I have a winch but haven't always had one). I also use around the yard periodically.

My latest one was the HF 2 ton unit. https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-cable-winch-puller-61964.html It wasn't bad, especially for $22, but the cable has a habit of binding up and I've jammed it up a few times and tweaked it to where it's out of whack and time to toss it. I had to pull a car into the garage this past weekend using ratchet straps.

Whatever I get, I'd prefer to stay under $100 if possible. It also has to be manual so I can use it anywhere. It helps if it's fairly compact, too. Certainly nothing larger than the 2 ton HF come along.

Figure I could always step up to a better quality come along like this one, made in the U.S. for $50. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004Y68X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm also curious to hear what y'all think about a chain hoist - HF makes one for $100 that would work, but it only has 5' of chain. Guess I could get one with longer chain. https://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-half-ton-lever-chain-hoist-66106.html?_br_psugg_q=chain+hoist

Forgot to mention - here's a decent thread on the subject, but not directly on point - https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=289848

Thanks in advance for any input.

Scott

 

[milwaukeephil]

I just used a Warn Drill Winch to pull a deer stand (built on its side) into its forever home. In the past we've done it with come alongs, but this little guy was so much easier. You just chuck it up in your cordless drill and winch!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082N5QL9H/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you want to stay under $100, you can make something similar using a Dutton-Lainson winch. You can take the handle off and attach a drill. Has to be the screw-type!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YNLUYG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bulletpruf]

Thanks for the input.

 

[sberry]

I done this a LOT,,, I have bent up several of the 2T, they are not very good. I have used most brands chain drive, own several. The unit I carry is the common 4t wire job, HF prolly has one, I think I got them HD or Lowes way back, that's how long they last. Not that they are so much better but they are so much stronger.
I take the 2 part sheave off, use it single line which gives it a 12 ft pull. I have never ruined one, I carry a light chain and a heavy and light nylon choker. There are "better" tools, you can spend a lot more but around 50$ and while I have other this is what I USE.

 

[lardy1]

I've been looking at buying another come along after I threw my old one away. It wasn't safe to use anymore. But, from what I'm seeing for the money they are asking, I might just keep using my block & tackle. It's not as handy but it has far greater reach and more versatility, in my opinion.

 

[sberry]

You can always get something else if this doesnt work just dandy. Its the most economical, most power and most convenient, kind of rolled in to 1. Get the 4T.

 

[bushmechanic]

I just used a Warn Drill Winch to pull a deer stand (built on its side) into its forever home. In the past we've done it with come alongs, but this little guy was so much easier. You just chuck it up in your cordless drill and winch!

Oh, I'm buying one of those. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[shawhite]

The warn drill winch is basically a pretty pulley-man winch. If you want manual operated you can go for a trifol

 

[csp]

You can't beat a Lug All for come alongs. I'd never pay what they want for a new one and see them at auctions fairly often. I think I paid $75 for the two ton version I have.

Made in the USA too.

www.lug-all.com

 

[gte718p]

Not cheap but a once in a lifetime purchase https://www.wyeth-scott.com/ . Go with the Amstel line. It is 1000x nicer then steel. No sharp points, light, and flexible.

It is 3x the price point you are looking for but absolutely worth it. Will easily outlive 3 $100 come alongs.

 

[Chuck122]

It really depends how long of a pull you need. Chain come-alongs are significantly nicer than cable ones in my opinion. Firstly, they have gearing that gives you mechanical advantage over the direct acting lever of the cable type. Second, chain is inherently more rugged than cable (it won't kink, get little wires that dig into your hands etc.) Third they allow lowering in a much more controlled fashion.
Also, nice chain hoists generally freewheel meaning you can take all the slack out just by pulling the dead leg of the chain instead of having to reel it all in with a cable type.
I never have used a hf one (given how much I use them I buy brand names (I for one prefer kito/Harringtons))
Tirfor types are better than reels in my opinion but they are rather clunky to use, cumbersome and don't provide the mechanical advantage. On the other hand they are usually available with longer lines and can be used with ****** blocks to gain mechanical advantage or to change the direction of pull. They can also be put in Neutral to take the slack out

 

[GeoBruin]

Not cheap but a once in a lifetime purchase https://www.wyeth-scott.com/ . Go with the Amstel line. It is 1000x nicer then steel. No sharp points, light, and flexible.

It is 3x the price point you are looking for but absolutely worth it. Will easily outlive 3 $100 come alongs.

This was going to be my suggestion. Tons of power and very versatile. I also love the safety feature of the breakaway handle. Genius!

 

[PZ 1]

Just recently found they have them with straps now too. Have seen 1 and 2 ton. The 1 ton has 25 feet of strap which would be very convenient.

https://www.maasdam.com/strap-pullers.html

https://www.jbtools.com/american-po...v97yCnvXfcZnrwofGD1xAXS2moWL9TWRoCxyYQAvD_BwE

 

[bulletpruf]

I ended up buying the Wyeth-Scott 3 ton with synthetic rope. $355 with shipping from Amazon.

Not cheap, but it's a "buy once, cry once" purchase.

 

[Dustball]

I've got my eye on a Tuf-Tug TT25/50-20CDC which is $150 at my local Fleet Farm. It's 2500 lbs single line pull at 20 feet and 5000 lbs double line pull at 10 feet.

The length is much more useful than the 2-ton puller I have now which is probably about 10 ft single/5 ft double.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I'm a retired millwright, alot of our work involved rigging, I found those fence stretchers to be a royal pain in the ***. I'm sure there is a use for them, on the farm. But not around machinery. No longer made, the CM aluminum chain come-a-long was our favourite . I have a couple of 3/4T chain come-a-longs from Princess Auto, really handy to have two.

A Tirfor jack if you can find one used, are a great cable pullers,(winch) this is what they look like https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/p/WSWS13B?cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PLAlike

Chain falls are for lifting, they don't work so good for pulling, though I have tried it a few times.

 

[metaleltr]

Northern Tool has Strongway lever chain hoists with 15 feet of chain. Mine has served me well.

 

[bulletpruf]

I ended up buying the Wyeth-Scott 3 ton with synthetic rope. $355 with shipping from Amazon.

Not cheap, but it's a "buy once, cry once" purchase.

Just an update to say that this has been a fantastic purchase -- used it to pull my '69 Bronco project into the garage yesterday evening. Highly recommended. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00455VCTY/?tag=atomicindus08-20