How To Work A Come Along: A Complete Masterclass On Safe Pulling And Rigging

A come along is a manual, ratchet-operated cable or webbing puller designed to move heavy loads horizontally or at slight inclines through mechanical advantage. Operating this tool safely requires a strict understanding of working load limits, proper anchor point selection, and smooth ratcheting technique to prevent catastrophic cable birdnesting or snap-back failures.

Rigging Preparation and Hardware Safety Checklist

Executing a heavy pull with a manual ratchet puller requires meticulous preparation to prevent structural failure, equipment binding, or severe personal injury. Before tensioning any line, you must verify the structural integrity of your anchor points, inspect the physical condition of the mechanical puller, and ensure your personal protective equipment meets industrial safety standards.

• Essential Gear and Hardware:
  
  
  • Industrial-grade cable or web come along rated with a safety factor of at least 4:1.
  • Heavy-duty drop-forged anchor shackles (minimum 3/4-inch diameter for heavy vehicle recovery or structural work).
  • Woven polyester rigging straps or tree savers to protect anchor points and distribute friction.
  • Heavy leather riggers' gloves and ANSI-approved safety glasses.
  • A weighted cable dampener (blanket or heavy bag) for dynamic safety during high-tension pulls.
• Prerequisite Knowledge and Standards:
  
  
  • Familiarity with ASME B30.21 standards regarding manually leveraged hoists and pullers.
  • Strict adherence to the manufacturer's rated capacity—never exceed the maximum pull limit stamped on the frame.
  • Understanding of the 2:1 mechanical advantage achieved when using a snatch block or double-line rigging setup.
• Time and Budget Benchmarks:
  
  
  • Setup and rigging time: 15 to 30 minutes depending on anchor complexity.
  • Execution time: Variable based on distance, load weight, and friction coefficients.
  • Equipment budget: Entry-level units cost between thirty and sixty dollars, while professional-grade forged steel pullers range from one hundred fifty to four hundred dollars.

Step-by-Step Mechanical Pulling Execution

Step 1: Secure the Stationary Anchor Point

Select a completely immovable anchor point capable of withstanding the total weight of the load multiplied by any friction or incline coefficients. Wrap your rigging strap or chain around the anchor base—such as a healthy hardwood tree, a structural steel column, or a certified vehicle recovery point—ensuring the strap is free of twists. Attach both eyes of the strap or the ends of your chain to an anchor shackle, and pin it securely. Hook the stationary anchor hook (the hook attached directly to the come along frame housing) into the bow of the shackle, ensuring the safety latch is fully closed and the load pulls along the true axis of the hook's spine.

Warning: Never hook a come along back onto its own cable or strap unless explicitly engineered as a choker hitch, as this introduces severe friction and crushing forces that compromise cable integrity.

Step 2: Extend and Attach the Pulling Line to the Load

Flip or slide the pawl release lever—located near the handle pivot—into the free-wheeling position, disengaging the ratchet gear. Pull smoothly on the cable or webbing to extend it outward to the target load, leaving at least three to four wraps of cable securely spooled on the main drum to prevent tearing the cable from its internal anchor. Attach the traveling hook (the hook attached to the end of the wire rope or strap) to a secure rigging point on the object you intend to move. Make certain the load-bearing attachment point is structurally sound and won't tear away under heavy tension.

Pro-Tip: Always pull in a straight line directly aligned with the center of gravity of the load. Side-pulling loads puts lateral stress on the frame and gears, drastically increasing the risk of structural failure.

Step 3: Engage the Ratchet Mechanism and Begin Tensioning

Return the pawl release lever to the working position so that the directional dogs firmly engage the ratchet wheel. Insert the operating handle onto the drive shaft lever. Pump the handle back and forth through a full, fluid range of motion. As the drum rotates, the cable will wind tightly, eliminating slack and transferring the mechanical load onto the tool. Listen for the distinct, continuous clicking of the retaining pawl locking into each gear tooth as you pump.

Step 4: Monitor Tension and Execute the Pull

As the system becomes fully tensioned, pause to inspect all connection points, shackles, and anchor wraps. Place a heavy cable blanket, rubber mat, or weighted tarp over the midpoint of the tensioned wire rope to absorb kinetic energy in the event of a sudden cable snap. Continue operating the handle with steady, even strokes. Never use cheater pipes, extension bars, or auxiliary leverage devices over the handle; if the pull requires excessive physical force, your load is either too heavy, blocked by an obstruction, or requires a double-line rigging configuration with a snatch block.

Step 5: Release Tension and Unrig the Equipment

Once the load has reached its final destination and is securely blocked, chocked, or resting on a stable surface, you can release the tension. Hold the operating handle firmly to prevent kickback. Disengage the primary retention pawl by flipping the release lever or lifting the stop dog, then carefully feather the handle forward through the reverse stroke to back-drive the gear. Repeat this controlled reverse motion until all tension is completely off the cable. Unhook the load, wind the cable neatly back onto the drum without kinks, and store the tool in a dry, lubricated environment.

Come Along Specifications and Performance Comparison

Common Operational Failures and Field Fixes

• Failure Scenario: Cable Birdnesting and Tangling on the Spool
  
  
  • Root Cause: Extending the cable completely under zero tension causes the wire rope to jump the drum flanges and loop haphazardly inside the housing.
  • Actionable Fix: Maintain constant thumb and finger tension on the cable while pulling it out in free-wheel mode. If a birdnest occurs, stop immediately, release all load, manually feed the cable back into alignment, and wind it tightly under a light preload before attempting another heavy pull.
• Failure Scenario: Handle Kickback During Tension Release
  
  
  • Root Cause: The operator lost firm grip on the handle while the primary pawl was disengaged, allowing stored spring energy in the cable to whip the handle violently backward.
  • Actionable Fix: Always maintain a firm, two-handed grip on the handle before touching the release lever. Never let go of the handle until the ratchet mechanism has been fully lowered and all tension is spent. Replace any bent handles or sheared internal drive pins immediately.
• Failure Scenario: Slipping Gears Under Heavy Load
  
  
  • Root Cause: Dirt, grit, or dried mud jammed inside the ratchet teeth prevents the pawl dogs from seating deeply into the gear notches.
  • Actionable Fix: Flush the entire mechanical gear assembly with a solvent or brake cleaner to remove debris, then re-lubricate all pivot points and pawl springs with a lightweight machine oil. Never operate a puller with rounded or worn gear teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a come along be used for vertical lifting?

Standard cable pullers are designed primarily for horizontal pulling or slight inclines and are generally not certified for overhead lifting unless explicitly rated as a lever hoist by the manufacturer. Using a standard horizontal puller vertically risks catastrophic load drops if the single-dog pawl mechanism slips or fails under dead-weight hanging loads. Always check the manufacturer specification plate before attempting any vertical lifting applications.

How do I prevent a wire rope cable from kinking?

Preventing wire rope kinks requires never pulling the cable completely off its drum and never allowing slack loops to form while under load. When spooling the cable back in, guide it evenly across the drum surface to prevent side-stacking or pinching between adjacent wraps. If a sharp kink does form in the wire, cut and replace the cable assembly immediately, as kinking permanently damages the structural integrity of the steel strands.

What is the difference between a cable puller and a winch?

A come along is a manually operated hand tool utilizing a ratcheting lever and gear system to achieve incremental mechanical advantage over short distances. A winch—whether manual boat winch, electric, or hydraulic—utilizes a rotating crank or motor attached to a drum with a gear reduction housing for continuous line retrieval over much longer spans. Winches are built for continuous winding, whereas come alongs are engineered for intermittent heavy pulling and rigging tasks.

How do I calculate the working load limit needed for my project?

To determine the required working load limit, calculate the total weight of the object and add resistance factors for friction, terrain incline, and binding. For rolling loads on flat concrete, plan for pull resistance equal to roughly ten percent of the total weight; for unrolling stuck vehicles through mud or up steep inclines, the required pull capacity can easily equal or exceed the total dead weight of the vehicle. Always select a puller rated safely above your maximum calculated resistance threshold.

Master the art of safe rigging today by inspecting your hardware, calculating your load limits precisely, and equipping your workspace with professional-grade pulling tools.