Come Along qs

[momtomany]

I bought a "hand power puller".....and it really lacks on direction. Car is sitting down the driveway, we walked to the house today (sheets of ice on the road). Just in case, can anyone run me thru how to use one of the hhand power puller (come along) things? I have one in the car, but have never used it. People mentioned it might help, if I get off my driveway from the snow/ice.....Thanks! sue

[Windy in Kansas]

What tonnage is your device rated at? Most are ½ or 1 ton. Unless a really really good one you can damage it or yourself. Using it with someone in the car might work okay for a short pull.

There is generally a release lever near the ratcheting spool so that cable can be withdrawn. The release may need to be held down or opened by pushing it over center. The over center kind would need to be moved back into the ratchet position to wind the cable back in. Several different configuration of them so I can't be more specific.

[Old Vet]

A come along is the last resort when stuck. It will pull you about 5 feet and then you need to hook to something else. I used one sometimes but not often. When I used one it is best if there is somebody else in the car and help move it along. I would not use one on ice unless you happen to get off the road and need to be puled back on the road.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by momtomany

I bought a "hand power puller".....and it really lacks on direction. Car is sitting down the driveway, we walked to the house today (sheets of ice on the road). Just in case, can anyone run me thru how to use one of the hhand power puller (come along) things? I have one in the car, but have never used it. People mentioned it might help, if I get off my driveway from the snow/ice.....Thanks! sue

...............On one side of the round wheel you'll see notches all the way around , now , you should observe a curved metal arm that rests in one notch . Push down on the Arm too release the arm so you can pull the hook on the cable too spool OUT every foot of cable . When the cable is fully "OUT" you start pumping the handle too wind the cable , back , ONTO the wheel . The curved arm will allow you too wind the cable back up , as you will hear it Click as it slips into each groove on the wheel . See , it functions as a Lock too prevent the Weight(your vehicle)on the Load from pulling the cable completely , back out .
..............Now , you can hook BOTH Come alongs , Together so as too give you more length which will move your car the total length of Both cables ! , fordy

[momtomany]

It is a 1 ton.

[momtomany]

Sounds good. Now what do I hook it to on my minivan?

[fordy]

Originally Posted by momtomany

Sounds good. Now what do I hook it to on my minivan?

..............Well you can simply hook the "hook" onto the bumper(on either end of the vehicle) , BUT this can result in a Bent bumper if you're not paying attention to what you are doing ! The easiest way is to take a small length of chain say about 30 inches long , slip one end up and over either the left or right frame runner , just behind the front or rear bumper for the front end , then hook the hook on the comealong too the chain . For the rearend , IF you have a trailer ball simply make a loop of the cable and hook , slip it over the ball, then start cranking ! You need to remember too dress appropriately if the vehicle is stuck in the mud or wet area , especially , given how cold it has been in most parts of the country . , fordy

[Cabin Fever]

Originally Posted by momtomany

Sounds good. Now what do I hook it to on my minivan?

Don't hook it to the lower radiator hose.

[momtomany]

Now how would u know, cabin fever, lol. live and learn, huh? going out to brave it this morning. Hope I got enough ash to get me out......

[Cabin Fever]

I find using a come-along to move a stuck vehicle easier as a two-person job. One person cranks on the come-along until there is a fair bit of tension and the second person attempts to drive the vehicle in the direction of the tree or vehicle that the come-along is attached to. The vehicle will likely move a few inches and then the tires may start spinning again. Stop the car, and crank on the comealong some more....it's an iterative process.

Make sure the vehicle is in neutral when you're cranking on the come-along.

[Cheribelle]

Be Careful! Those are finger pinching evil contraptions. Yep, I can work one, and yep, I avoid it in most situatioons. It is one of my Dad's favorite tools.

[watcher]

There are tie down slots in the frame. If possible put a hook in one of those. They are the ONLY parts of the car which are designed to have pressure put on them. And they will still tear out if you aren't careful