A good simple come-a-long

[KRB64]

In my nearly five decades of life I've never owned a new or even good come-a-long. I've picked them up used at auctions, flea markets etc.

They've all had issues and none were easy or even safe (or smart) to operate. Its a wonder I still have all my fingers, toes and even possibly my life.

My mother-in-law gave me $100 for Christmas and said to go get me a good one. My question is what brand is a good one? I mainly use them to winch loads (rolling) onto a trailer, stretch fence, hoist small loads (trailer racks etc). Nothing huge.

What do you folks recommend?

[Chewie]

I have a 4 ton American Power Pull. Box says it's made here, but I know they have smaller come alongs that are imported. It works fine for me. Winched a few trucks and a log or two with it.

Maasdam is supposed to be a good brand made here, too.

[KRB64]

The Maasdam wa one I had found that seemed high quality. Sears sold it anyway...

I'll look at American Power Pull too, thanks.

[712edf]

Seems like years ago I saw (in a 4x4 magazine) a come-a-long type device that used a chain instead of cable. It coukd be used vertically or horizontally of course, as hoist or winch. It may have even had two handle slots, one for each direction. I dont recall much about it, just remember thinking at the time "That should replace all come-a-longs".

Off-roaders would be aware of the best devices for manual hand winching.

Bucky

[Gordon Maney]

Budgit Hoist used to offer some. I can't see now that they still do. The chain versions are better than cable, I think, although sometimes less convenient to work with.

[KRB64]

And Budgit is a misnomer, they have some serious stuff there huh?

I have an old chain hoist that I bought because it seemed heavy duty. I had to tinker with it some to get it back to working condition. Its a little cumbersome to use. The handle is reversable but the release paw had to be welded. I'll look up the name of it.

[Blisters]

Here's one on Amazon which would put you out $25 from your pocket after the $100 gift:

http://www.amazon.com/Lever-Block-Ch...5390700&sr=8-2

We use Little Mule and other brands at the steel mill but they're pricey.

I never cared for cable ratchet come-alongs as it's too easy to damage the cable. That said, I don't work out on a ranch and cable come-alongs are field-repairable.

[KRB64]

Have you used this brand? Similar to my chain one except my chain is like heavy duty bicycle chain.

[The Other Ross]

I have a couple old ones made by I think Yale.Ratcheting Roller chain with about a two foot aluminum handle with the directional flip switch on the end.Got to be at least fifty years old.Only thing I'll even call a come-a-long,nothing else I've ever used in any other configuration works as well.

[Chewie]

Ross, can you post a pic of it?