Come-Along advice

[Ramper]

I "need" a come-along and I love vintage tools. I am looking at these two auctions:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/wyeth-scott-2-ton-power-puller-come-a-long-/301495467730?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item463287bed2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-HEAVY-DUTY-WYETH-SCOTT-2-TON-PULLER-HOIST-/271745802331?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f454fe05b

Any advise? Or should I just go buy a newly made Maasdam?

 

[Toymeister]

I have one of those "Vintage" pullers. I bought it in 2000. As far as I know they still make them. They are not light but they are not some over rated underbuilt chinese one. I would buy it

Edit: Still made: it looks like they are about 229.00 new.

 

[y'sguy]

that is cool. You have my permission… : )
btw i have a harbor fright one that I have used a lot and it's a scary experience every time. I always think it's going to explode or I'll get my hand caught in it!

 

[BB64]

Ramper,

Either would be nice, please consider replacing the wire rope if it is rusty so you can trust it to rated load. Those are the nice and fetch a pretty penny new, as Toymeister mentioned -- definitely better than HF or Maasdam Pow'R Pull.

Personally, I'd watch CL for a Coffing roller chain come-along (search terms "coffing", "roller chain", "ratchet chain" or "lever chain" work pretty well) or perhaps the welded link lifting chain version, but I've seen too many people grab hook into the links on those which mucks them up. I paid $25 for a 1.5 ton 10' pull (no pulley) and $75 for a 3-6 ton, 7.5-15' pull (has pulley).

Good luck!

 

[CNGsaves]

I like the Ebay one for: Wyeth-Scott 2 ton power puller come-a-long

The ratcheting mechanism looks way better than store-bought units. I paid around $35 for 4 ton puller at Menards and it's still pretty chintzy.

If local, I'd like the Wyeth as the shipping is pretty steep at $18
The removable handle is nice also.

 

[littletoes]

I've used one exactly like the heavier one. A nice unit, although I'd replace the cable like advised above.

For me personally, I'd never used one made from a cheap manufacture. There's tendencies to work under lifted equipment, and I'm not getting under anything lifted by something from china.

I've seen chain hoists come apart....and want no part of that. Over used, under inspected.

 

[Ramper]

A couple of you mention the "heavier" one, but they are rated the same. I am leaning towards the one marked "VINTAGE". Seller set me some pics of the ****** block and other hook and they too look nice.

 

[Finky198]

I am a tree guy we own about ten of these from lugall to Wyeth Scott 1ton to 6ton
I personally would be hesitant to buy a used one but ours do things your probably won't need to like pulling tree and tag lines and land anchors

If anything I would stick to steel for safety reasons

 

[Finky198]

Oh and new cable is a must do not trust what is on there if the line has been shocked it will be more likely to snap. always where glove helmet and glass

 

[Zeke]

I have a ratchet hoist that could be used as a come-along. No stranded cable to mess with. This isn't it but mine is aluminum as this one appears to be.

 

[Strouty]

If you want to use it, don't buy a vintage one that essentially needs to be rebuilt. Those are both missing handles and both need new cables. A newer one made by lincoln hoist, lug-all, or even tuff tug would be my choice (in that order) if I wanted to use it. If you found one like that at a yard sale and it had everything working with a decent cable, I would say go ahead.

A new lincoln or lug-all would be about $250 for a 1 ton single part 2 ton double part. Ebay may have a decent one or maybe craigslist. I can't remember exactly when, but lug-all had a certain time when they were made overseas, it looks like they are back to USA now. I am pretty sure Lincoln made or makes the frames for lug-all as well.

Almost all of mine are aluminum frames and I have never had any issues, I have them from 1/4 ton all the way to 3 ton, anything bigger than that is steel. You can three part the bigger ones, but the hooks are not rated for the pull.

 

[wahoowad]

Get one of the Wyeth-Scott more powr pullers. I have one. Solid as heck.

 

[gj67stang]

The Wyeth-Scott More Power Pullers are great. The length of cable easily allows me to pull a vehicle onto a trailer without having to stop part-way and re-attach. It certainly is slower than a 12v winch, but allows you to monitor your load and adjust if necessary before anything goes bad.

As far as buying used - W.S. sells a wide range or replacement parts (even synthetic cable!) so rebuilding one is certainly an option as long as you're conscious of the total amount invested.

 

[sometoyotaguy]

The Masdam Power Pulls are reasonably available and seem to be decent. I did manage to have the drum crack on mine once, but they replaced it right off. As much as I'd like to bash the chinese ones, the ones I have hold up ok to pretty heavy use.

If you do buy those, the cables look like they need to be replaced if you will be anywhere near rated loads on them.

 

[2oolhound]

I have a ratchet hoist that could be used as a come-along. No stranded cable to mess with. This isn't it but mine is aluminum as this one appears to be.

I don't know what you're using it for but the chain link and roller chain type are sweet. For rough pulling those cable jobs will get you through and they store a longer length so you have more reach (without using a separate piece of chain or cable) BUT for finicky work like lowering an engine in place etc the chain come alongs move one link at a time. The cable units wind the cable loosely when there is no load so it has some air on the drum. When the load comes on the cable squishes in between the loose wound cable and kinks it up. Then when you lower it (one cog at a time) the cable will slip once you get past the tightly wound section and pull the loose windings tight. If you're installing an engine an extra inch of fast slip can squish your finger or other undesirable action.

The cable units have their place such as skidding logs or pulling a truck out of the mud but I much prefer the chain types for installation type work where accuracy is required.