How to Choose and Use a Come-Along (Cable Puller)

What Is a Come-Along?

A come-along (also called a cable puller, power puller, or ratchet puller) is a portable, manually operated winching device that uses a ratchet mechanism to pull a wire rope or cable. It’s one of the most versatile tools in any shop, farm, or recovery kit — capable of pulling, stretching, dragging, and tensioning loads from 1 to 4+ tons with nothing but human muscle power.

Come-Along vs Winch vs Chain Hoist

Feature	Come-Along	Electric Winch	Chain Hoist
Power source	Manual (hand operated)	Electric motor (12V/110V/220V)	Manual or electric
Pull direction	Horizontal primarily	Horizontal	Vertical (lifting)
Overhead lifting	NEVER (not rated)	NEVER (not rated)	YES (designed for it)
Portability	Excellent (5-15 lbs)	Poor (50-100+ lbs)	Good (10-50 lbs)
Pull distance	6-15 ft typical	50-100+ ft	10-30 ft
Speed	Slow (manual ratchet)	Fast (motor driven)	Slow to moderate
Cost	$25-$150	$100-$1,000+	$50-$500
Capacity range	1-4 tons	2,000-20,000+ lbs	0.5-10+ tons

Types of Come-Alongs

Cable Come-Alongs

Use wire rope cable on a drum, operated by a ratchet lever. The most common type, available in 1-ton, 2-ton, and 4-ton capacities.

• Cable diameter: 3/16″ (1 ton), 1/4″ (2 ton), 5/16″ (4 ton)
• Pull length: Typically 6-15 feet depending on drum capacity
• Best for: Fencing, vehicle recovery, dragging logs, pulling posts, stretching wire

Web Strap Come-Alongs

Use polyester webbing instead of wire rope. Lighter, safer to handle (no wire splinters), but lower capacity and shorter lifespan.

• Capacity: Usually 1-2 tons
• Best for: Light-duty pulling, fence stretching, non-abrasive applications

Lever Hoists (Chain Come-Alongs)

Use chain instead of cable, operated by a lever handle. Rated for overhead lifting (unlike cable come-alongs). More expensive but certified to ASME B30.21.

• Capacity: 0.75 to 9+ tons
• Best for: Rigging, lifting, pulling, tensioning — the most versatile option

How to Use a Come-Along Safely

Step 1: Select Capacity

Estimate the pull force required. For dragging loads on the ground, pulling force is approximately:

• On wheels/rollers: 5-10% of load weight
• On smooth ground: 30-50% of load weight
• On rough terrain: 50-100% of load weight
• Uphill: Add weight × sin(angle) to the above

Always choose a come-along with WLL exceeding your estimated pull force by at least 25%.

Step 2: Set Up the Anchor Point

The anchor point must be at least as strong as the come-along’s rated capacity. Common anchor points:

• Large trees (use a tree strap to avoid bark damage — wrap at least 3 times)
• Vehicle tow hooks or frame-mounted recovery points (NOT bumpers)
• Concrete anchors rated for the pull force
• Structural steel beams or columns

Critical: Never anchor to something that could pull free. A failed anchor turns the come-along cable into a high-speed whip.

Step 3: Extend and Attach the Cable

1. Release the ratchet pawl and pull cable out to the desired length
2. Attach the cable hook to the load (use a shackle for more secure connection)
3. Attach the come-along body hook to the anchor point
4. Ensure the cable path is straight — no side-loading, no rubbing on sharp edges

Step 4: Operate the Ratchet

1. Engage the forward ratchet direction
2. Pump the lever handle back and forth — each stroke pulls the cable a few inches
3. Take up slack first, then begin pulling under load
4. Never exceed the rated capacity — if the lever becomes extremely difficult to pump, the load exceeds the come-along’s rating

Step 5: Release

1. Switch the ratchet to the release direction
2. Let the cable out SLOWLY — never release under full tension (the cable can snap back)
3. If the load is under tension (e.g., a bent frame), block the load before releasing the come-along

Safety Rules

• NEVER use a cable come-along for overhead lifting. Cable come-alongs are not designed, tested, or rated for lifting loads overhead. Use a lever hoist or chain hoist instead.
• Stand clear of the cable path. If the cable snaps, it will whip along the line of pull. Stand to the side, never in line with the cable.
• Inspect the cable before each use. Look for broken wires, kinks, crushing, or corrosion. A cable with visible damage must be replaced.
• Don’t use cheater bars. Extending the lever handle with a pipe multiplies force beyond the rated capacity.
• Use a blanket or heavy mat over the cable. Draping a heavy blanket over the middle of the cable absorbs energy if it breaks, reducing snapback danger.

Maintenance

• Lubricate the cable with light oil after each use
• Clean and oil the ratchet mechanism periodically
• Store in a dry location to prevent rust
• Replace the cable when broken wires appear (don’t wait for multiple breaks)
• Check the hooks for deformation — a hook opened more than 15% of original throat must be replaced

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding these common errors can prevent equipment failure, regulatory violations, and serious safety incidents in the field.

• Ignoring the Fleet Angle: The angle between the wire rope and the drum or sheave should not exceed 1.5 degrees for smooth drums or 2 degrees for grooved drums. Excessive fleet angles cause uneven spooling and accelerate wear, reducing service life by up to 50%.
• Using Undersized Sheaves: The sheave diameter should be at least 18-20 times the rope diameter. Undersized sheaves cause severe bending fatigue. A 1/2-inch rope requires sheaves of at least 9-10 inches in diameter.
• Failing to Lubricate Properly: Wire rope requires regular lubrication to prevent internal corrosion and reduce friction between wires. The lubricant must penetrate to the core. Use wire rope lubricants specifically designed for the application, not general-purpose grease.
• Improper Dead-End Termination: Using fewer than the required number of clips, or installing U-bolt clips with the saddle on the dead end, can reduce termination efficiency to as low as 40%. Follow the Crosby clip spacing chart for correct number and torque values.
• Ignoring Broken Wire Criteria: ASME B30.9 requires rope retirement when 6 randomly distributed broken wires are found in one rope lay, or 3 broken wires in one strand in one lay. Continuing past these thresholds risks catastrophic failure.