Come-along

[rickc]

Just a comment:

Come-alongs are a great tool but the same safety issues/rules apply as with winches with steel cables. 'Trouble with come-alongs is that to operate one you are standing right by the thing. If you have a long length of cable that breaks loose/extraction component fails, you are in the line of fire.

I have not looked yet but is there a come-along with a poly line available?

 

[1leg]

https://www.wyeth-scott.com/index.asp

Hasn't failed me yet with 6 years of heavy use.

Thanks, I was looking for that 1

 

[I Leak Oil]

Just a comment:

Come-alongs are a great tool but the same safety issues/rules apply as with winches with steel cables. 'Trouble with come-alongs is that to operate one you are standing right by the thing. If you have a long length of cable that breaks loose/extraction component fails, you are in the line of fire.

This has always been my problem with the use of a come-along, high-lift or similar device as a serious extraction tool. I've always thought of and used them as more of a secondary device to stabilize a vehicle more than a primary recovery tool. With that said, get a good one....
Jason T.

 

[Northern Explorer]

You could always just pack away one of these to get you out of a jam. Actually the 3500# black rat is looking very appealing to me. My cheap come along that I bought jamed after the first use (pulling my totaled 4-wheeler onto the trailer).

 

[brokebronco]

The poly line is a great idea for the come a long I posted about. Just respool the comealong the same way you would a winch. I would have done this already but I am a cheap yankee. My cable is still in great condition due to twenty years experience running recovery vehicles for Uncle Sam. As soon as I need to replace it I will be going the synthetic route for the added safety.

 

[jsmoriss]

Arg! I'm in the same boat -- looking for a decent come-along (for my 5000lbs Jeep) that's not too heavy, is easier/faster to deploy than a high-lift, and doesn't weigh a ton. On my short list is the Beaver Tuff-Pull/Black Rat 1750 or 3500 (3500 lbs single line, 66 feet of cable length, and weighs 60 lbs) or the Wyeth-Scott 2-35 (2000 lbs single line, 35' of cable, and weighs 28 lbs)... If the Wyeth-Scott could be changed to synthetic, and I remove it's built-in snatch block (I have my own), then it would be really light for it's capability.... Hm.

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

If the Wyeth-Scott could be changed to synthetic, and I remove it's built-in snatch block (I have my own), then it would be really light for it's capability.... Hm.

According to Wyeth-Scott, they don't see why a synthetic line couldn't be used. So the only question that remains (before I order one), is 1/4" (9200 lbs strength) or 5/16" (13700 lbs) synthetic rope? Considering the Wyeth-Scott "Power Puller" can handle 4000 lbs with a snatch block, I'd tend to go with the 1/4" to put more rope on the reel... What do you think?

js.

 

[madizell]

I would opt for the 5/16th's rope, and figure the real world load limit of the rope at half the stated rating. That way you won't be pushing the working limit when used in dirt (not that we ever do) or used extensively in bright sun (not that we would) or used more than a year or two. Synthetic line degrades rapidly in use, and will even degrade from storage if not kept away from grit and sun. Nearly all synthetic line is not UV stable, which is why it is dyed, and when the dye fades, so does the UV protection. I have yet to have any synthetic line go a full year without losing color from constant exposure, or go the same term in regular use without getting fuzzy from abrasion.

Rather than worry about degradation of the line in your hand winch, chose the larger line.

 

[jsmoriss]

I would opt for the 5/16th's rope, and figure the real world load limit of the rope at half the stated rating.

Good points.

Even when you put all the leading come-alongs side-by-side, it's a tough decision... I put the Beaver, Maasdam and Wyeth-Scott in a spreadsheet, but there's still no clear winner -- well, at least for me....

http://www.mvlan.net/tmp/Come Along Summary.xls

I think the single-line lift rating is important to simplify setup and get a faster reel-in speed. I think the Tuff-Pull/Black Rat 1750 lbs is really the lowest you want to go. But then you also want it to pull the max you'll need, so I'm not sure the 1750 is enough (even with snatch blocks). Weight is also important, and the Tuff-Pull/Black Rat 3500 comes in at 60 lbs. Another important aspect is the effort required to pull the handle. The Wyeth-Scott takes 316 lbs of effort to pull 6000 lbs! And that's for every stroke! So that Maasdam 8000SB-C is looking better and better... It'll pull 6000 lbs 12 feet with 171 lbs of pulling force (35:1).

BTW, this would make a great article in an Overland Journal, don't you think? :26_7_2:

js.

 

[Antichrist]

If you're going to the extent of comparing them in that detail, you might want to add Tirfor/Griphoist to the list to compare.

 

[benjamin]

You should keep in mind that the ratings for Wyeth-Scott are dead lift, double them[2:1] for pull/drag rating.

 

[jsmoriss]

You should keep in mind that the ratings for Wyeth-Scott are dead lift, double them[2:1] for pull/drag rating.

You're better off comparing lift ratings for all come-alongs -- that way you get a common unit of measure. A 2x pull/drag ratio doesn't say much, there are too many variables -- is it a side pull, front, deep in mud, dry sand, wet sand, etc. I'd rather use the lift rating and be surprised by it's strength.

I was in discussion with Wyeth-Scott to try and adapt their come-along to my needs. They have a new spool which they figure will fit 40' of rope. In the end what killed it for me was their short handle. You need 316 lbs of pulling effort to lift 3000 lbs (single line) -- and since the handle is their fail-safe system (handle bends when rating is exceeded), you can't really use a 'cheater bar' with it. On the flip side, the Wyeth-Scott was fairly light, especially if you change the steel wire for synthetic rope!

So in the end, I chose the Maasdam Pow'R-Pull 8000SB-C. It'll lift 6000 lbs (single line), 12 feet, with 171 lbs of pulling force and weighs 36 lbs. I would prefer more than 12 feet, and less than 36 lbs, but I can always remove it's built-in snatch block and save a few lbs. Maybe I could also change it's steel wire for synthetic rope -- we'll see.

js.

 

[michaelgroves]

I would prefer more than 12 feet...

I wouldn't worry about the amount that fits on the drum. Just carry a suitable extension rope - it's a handy thing to have. Most pulls with a come-along will be pretty short, and if it's more than 12', you'll need to rest anyway!

 

[jsmoriss]

I wouldn't worry about the amount that fits on the drum. Just carry a suitable extension rope - it's a handy thing to have. Most pulls with a come-along will be pretty short, and if it's more than 12', you'll need to rest anyway!

That's why I bring the wife along. :-D

I carry a 50' synth winch rope too -- with a dowel, you can rig it to any shorter length.

js.

 

[jsmoriss]

I've just received my Maasdam 8000SBC and tore into it right away. I managed to drop the weight down to 18 lbs. I forgot take some 'before' pics, but here's an 'after'.

The steel cable is fixed to the drum by going through two holes, with a set-screw in the last hole. I'm not sure how I'll secure the synth. rope yet, especially since 5/16" synth is a bit thicker than 5/16" steel...

js.