A come-along winch is a manually operated wire rope ratchet puller — a compact, portable device used to pull loads horizontally across the ground, drag equipment into position, tension fence wire, or recover a bogged vehicle. You hook one end to an anchor, the other end to the load, and work a ratchet lever to wind in the cable. The ratchet locks each stroke, so the load holds position while you reset your grip for the next one.
In Australia the same tool is also called a hand winch, cable puller, chain puller, wire rope puller, or come-along tool. All of these terms refer to the same ratchet-and-spool mechanism. The come-along is a pulling tool only — it is not rated for overhead lifting. Understanding this distinction before selecting a come-along or choosing between a come-along, lever hoist, tirfor winch, or chain block is the core of this guide.
AIMS has stocked come-along winches in the past and the product type remains relevant for AIMS customers in construction, farming, rigging, and 4WD recovery. For manual lifting requirements, AIMS stocks a full range of chain blocks and lever hoists.
Come-Along Winch Selection — Quick Reference
The five most common manual pulling/lifting tools compared at a glance. Come-along winches are for horizontal pulling only — never use for overhead lifting. For lifting, use a lever hoist or chain block rated to AS 1418.
| Tool | Typical WLL | Use For | AU Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-purchase come-along | 800 kg – 3 t | Horizontal pulling, 3–6 m cable, fast resets | Not AS 1418 — pulling only |
| Double-purchase come-along | 2× rated WLL (snatch block needed) | Heavier horizontal pulls, slower, half load travel per stroke | Not AS 1418 — pulling only |
| Webbing strap come-along | 800 kg – 2 t | 4WD recovery and arborist work — protects tree/vehicle | Not AS 1418 — pulling only |
| Tirfor / grip hoist | 800 kg – 3 t | Continuous long-distance pulls, no reset needed | Not AS 1418 — pulling only |
| Lever hoist (for lifting) | 250 kg – 9 t | Vertical lifting AND horizontal pulling — calibrated load chain | AS 1418.2 |
How a Come-Along Winch Works
The mechanism is a wire rope spool mounted in a pressed or cast steel frame with a ratchet drive system. The wire rope is wound onto the spool. One hook attaches to a fixed anchor point; the other, at the free end of the wire rope, attaches to the load. A lever operates the ratchet — each stroke of the lever rotates the spool and winds in a length of cable. The ratchet pawl engages the teeth between strokes, locking the load in position and preventing it from running back while the operator repositions the lever for the next stroke.
A direction control — typically a sliding lever or a flip switch on the ratchet mechanism — determines whether the device is in pull mode (winding in cable) or release mode (paying out cable under controlled load). Most come-alongs also have a neutral or freespool position for running cable out rapidly without tension.
The lever arm provides the mechanical advantage. Short lever = more strokes per unit of distance, less effort per stroke. Longer lever = more force available per stroke. Most standard come-alongs have a fixed lever arm; some heavier models offer interchangeable handle extensions for difficult pulls.
Single Purchase vs Double Purchase
The purchase refers to how the wire rope is rigged between the anchor and the load. It is one of the most commonly misunderstood specifications on come-along winch product listings.
Single purchase
The direct configuration: one end of the cable is fixed to the anchor, the spool winds in the other end. The load moves at the same rate as the cable is wound in. The WLL (Working Load Limit) stamped on the tool is the rated capacity for single purchase.
Double purchase
A floating snatch block is rigged between the load and the anchor. The cable runs from the spool, through the snatch block attached to the load, and back to a fixed anchor point on the same side as the spool. The load now moves half the distance per metre of cable wound — but the mechanical advantage is doubled. A 1t come-along can effectively move a 2t load under double purchase.
The trade-off: it takes twice as many strokes to move the load the same distance. Double purchase is slower but opens up heavier loads than the tool's rated single-purchase capacity. A snatch block is required and is a separate purchase — it is not included with the come-along.
| Single purchase | Double purchase | |
|---|---|---|
| Pull force | Rated WLL (e.g. 1t) | 2× rated WLL (e.g. 2t effective) |
| Load movement per stroke | Full stroke distance | Half stroke distance |
| Speed | Faster — fewer strokes per move | Slower — twice as many strokes |
| Equipment required | Come-along + anchor | Come-along + snatch block + extra anchor |
| Best for | Standard loads within rated WLL | Heavier loads, difficult pulls, limited anchor strength |
Check your product specs: some come-alongs are rated for both configurations and list separate WLL values for single and double purchase. Do not assume the double-purchase capacity is printed on the label — confirm it in the product documentation.
Types of Come-Along Winches
Standard wire rope come-along
The most common type in Australian trade and industrial use. A wire rope spool, steel frame, ratchet pawl, and a reversible handle. Capacities typically range from 800 kg through to 3 t in standard commercial models. Wire rope is durable, abrasion-resistant, and handles rough surfaces and sharp edges better than webbing strap. Correct for industrial and construction applications. Wire rope requires more care to inspect — look for kinks, birdcage (strand separation), broken strands, and corrosion before each use.
Webbing strap come-along
The strap replaces the wire rope with flat webbing — polyester or nylon. The strap is softer and less likely to damage soft surfaces, paint, or a tree trunk used as an anchor. More commonly specified for vehicle recovery and arborist work where protecting the anchor (a live tree) or the recovered vehicle matters. Less common in Australian industrial supply; more commonly found in 4WD recovery gear catalogues. The strap is more vulnerable to UV degradation and abrasion damage — inspect carefully before use and replace sooner than wire rope equivalents.
Tirfor and grip hoist
A distinct mechanism often grouped with come-alongs but operating on a different principle — covered in detail in the section below. The tirfor is the go-to for long-distance continuous pulls where a standard come-along would need many resets.
Capacity tiers
Australian trade and industrial come-alongs are commonly available in the following capacities:
| WLL (single purchase) | Typical application |
|---|---|
| 800 kg | Light vehicle recovery, farm fencing, small load positioning |
| 1 t (1,000 kg) | General trade use, light machinery, mid-weight vehicle recovery |
| 1.5 t | Heavier machinery, construction, medium 4WD recovery |
| 2 t | Heavy trade and construction, large vehicle recovery |
| 3 t | Heavy industrial, large plant, truck and tractor recovery |
Buy one size larger than the maximum load you expect to pull. A come-along used regularly at its rated WLL will wear faster and provides no margin for unexpected resistance or a slightly heavier-than-expected load. A 1.5t come-along for a 1t load is a sensible working margin.
Come-Along Winch vs Tirfor Winch
The tirfor winch (sometimes called a grip hoist, wire rope hoist, or creeper winch — and in Australian trade, frequently referred to simply as a "tirfor" as a brand-generic after the Yale Tirfor) uses a fundamentally different pulling mechanism from a come-along, despite appearing similar and performing the same general function of pulling loads horizontally with a wire rope.
How a tirfor works
A tirfor has no spool. Instead, a forward-reverse jaw mechanism grips the wire rope at two alternating points — one jaw grips the incoming rope while the other jaw releases and repositions, then the second jaw grips while the first releases and moves. The result is a continuous creeping pull along the wire rope. The rope passes all the way through the mechanism — it has no fixed end wound onto a drum.
Key differences
| Come-along winch | Tirfor winch | |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Ratchet spool — wire rope winds onto drum | Jaw/grip mechanism — rope passes through |
| Pull distance | Limited to spool cable length (3–6 m typical) — must reset | Unlimited — pull as far as the rope length allows without resetting |
| Cable supplied | Fixed — attached to spool | Separate wire rope (sold by length) — can be any length |
| Reset required? | Yes — when cable is fully wound, unhook, re-anchor closer, resume | No — continuous pull to any distance |
| Typical cost | Lower — $50–$250 for most AU trade models | Higher — $400–$1,500+ for quality models |
| Weight | Lighter — 2–5 kg for most trade come-alongs | Heavier — 8–20 kg for equivalent capacity |
| Best for | Short pulls (3–6 m), intermittent use, portability | Long-distance pulls, continuous repositioning, forestry, construction, utility work |
In Australian 4WD recovery, forum discussions consistently show that come-alongs are adequate for most bog recoveries (typically under 5 m of travel needed) but tirfors are preferred by serious off-road and touring users who may need to pull a vehicle over longer distances or through multiple resets on a difficult recovery. Tirfors are also the standard tool in arborist, forestry, and construction rigging where continuous long pulls are the norm.
For the majority of trade and industrial applications — pulling equipment into position, tensioning fence wire, shifting loads by a few metres — a come-along at a fraction of the cost of a tirfor is the correct choice.
Come-Along Winch vs Lever Hoist
This is the most important comparison in this guide, and the one with the clearest safety implications.
A come-along winch and a lever hoist can look superficially similar in use — both are handheld, both apply mechanical pulling force with a lever — but they are fundamentally different tools with different ratings, different load chain types, and critically, different permitted orientations.
| Come-along winch | Lever hoist | |
|---|---|---|
| Load medium | Wire rope (steel cable) | Load chain (calibrated steel chain) |
| AU standard | Not classified as lifting equipment — no AS 1418 rating | AS 1418.2 — rated and certified for lifting |
| Permitted use | Horizontal pulling only | Lifting AND horizontal pulling |
| Vertical (overhead) lift? | NO — never | Yes — this is the primary design purpose |
| Capacity range | Typically 800 kg to 3 t | 250 kg to 9 t (standard commercial range) |
| Load retention | Ratchet pawl holds the load between strokes | Load brake holds load without the operator holding the lever |
| Typical cost | Lower | Higher — compliant load chain and rated brake mechanism add cost |
| Best for | Ground-level pulling, vehicle recovery, repositioning | Lifting, overhead rigging, vertical load movement |
The rule is absolute: never use a come-along winch to lift a load off the ground. The wire rope on a come-along is not load-rated for overhead use. The frame and ratchet mechanism are not designed to hold a suspended load. A lever hoist (rated to AS 1418.2) is the correct tool whenever a load must be lifted vertically — even partially lifted, such as raising a beam to position it on a structural member.
This is not a guideline that can be worked around by staying within the WLL. The rating on a come-along is a horizontal pull rating only. Using it for lifting is a misuse of the tool regardless of the load weight.
For a lever hoist suitable for both lifting and horizontal pulling, see the Chain Block and Lever Hoist Guide.
Come-Along Winch vs Chain Block
A chain block (also called a chain pulley block or block and tackle) is an overhead lifting device with a chain loop and a series of load sheaves. It is designed for vertical lifting only — it hangs from a beam, hook, or trolley above the load and lifts the load straight up.
A chain block cannot be used horizontally. It is not designed for pulling loads across the ground, and using it in a horizontal orientation puts the chain sheaves and frame in a load path they are not designed for. For horizontal pulling, use a come-along or a lever hoist.
| Come-along winch | Chain block | |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | Horizontal pulling only | Vertical lifting only |
| AU standard | Not AS 1418 classified | AS 1418.3 — manual chain hoists |
| Load medium | Wire rope | Load chain and hand chain |
| Movement control | Ratchet — operator pumps lever | Continuous pull on hand chain — smooth lifting and lowering |
| Best for | Horizontal pulls, ground-level repositioning | Vertical lifts, maintenance on overhead machinery, load positioning directly below a beam |
In summary: chain block for vertical lifting, come-along for horizontal pulling, lever hoist for both. If in doubt, use the tool rated for the job — the lever hoist is the most versatile manual load-moving tool and the only one suitable for horizontal AND vertical work under a single rated standard.
Applications: Where Come-Along Winches Are Used
Vehicle recovery
Come-alongs are widely used in 4WD off-road recovery in Australia. A bogged vehicle typically needs 3–5 m of horizontal pull to free it from soft ground. A 1.5t or 2t come-along gives a solo operator enough force to free most passenger 4WD vehicles without a second vehicle. One hook goes to the vehicle recovery point; the other to a rated anchor — a tree (with a tree trunk protector strap, not directly on the wire rope), a rated recovery point on a second vehicle, or a ground anchor. Double purchase effectively doubles your available pull force if the bog is severe.
Come-alongs in recovery have one significant limitation: if the vehicle needs more than 5–6 m of movement, you will need to reset — anchor the come-along further forward, run the cable out, re-hook, and continue. Each reset adds time and effort. For difficult recoveries over long distances, a tirfor or a dual-snatch-block rigging setup is more efficient.
Farm and station work
Fence straining is a classic come-along application on Australian farms and stations. Tensioning a run of barbed wire or plain wire fencing requires pulling force over a few metres — exactly what a come-along delivers. Come-alongs are also used to drag logs, pull stumps partway clear, shift portable yard panels, and reposition farm equipment with no wheels or on uneven ground. The portability and low cost make a come-along a standard item in any farm tool kit.
Construction and civil work
On construction sites, come-alongs are used to pull formwork into position, tension bracing wires, shift prefabricated elements horizontally before they are craned, and reposition heavy equipment that has no wheels or cannot be accessed by forklift. They are particularly useful in confined site conditions where powered equipment cannot reach.
Marine and dock work
Boat hauling and launch-ramp retrieval, dock line tensioning, and rigging temporary moorings — come-alongs appear in all of these. In marine environments, stainless steel or galvanised components are preferred to resist corrosion. Inspect wire rope more frequently if used regularly in salt or brackish water.
Industrial machinery installation
Pulling heavy machinery into exact position on a concrete pad — a lathe, a press, a compressor unit — often requires precise horizontal movement of a load that no trolley can manage alone. A come-along anchored to an adjacent machine or a structural column gives controlled incremental positioning.
Cable Length and the Reset Limitation
The most common practical limitation users discover about come-alongs — and the one that surprises people who have not used one before — is the short effective pull distance per setup.
A standard 1t come-along typically has a wire rope length of 3 m. A 2t model might have 4–5 m. When the cable is fully wound in, the come-along has moved the load as far as possible for that setup. If the load needs to travel further, the operator must:
- Switch the direction lever to release (neutral)
- Hold the load or block it to prevent it running back
- Unhook the spool end from the anchor
- Re-position the anchor point closer to the load's new position
- Run the cable back out (freewheel)
- Re-hook and resume pulling
This is called a reset. A 10 m vehicle recovery move in soft sand, for example, would require 2–3 resets with a standard come-along. Each reset takes 2–5 minutes. Factor this in when deciding between a come-along and a tirfor for any job requiring continuous long pulls.
The reset is not a design flaw — it is a characteristic of the spool-based mechanism. For most applications (positioning machinery, fencing, short recovery pulls), the effective cable length is sufficient and the reset limitation is irrelevant. For applications requiring long continuous pulls, the tirfor is the right tool.
How to Use a Come-Along Winch
Before you start
Inspect the come-along before every use. Check:
- Wire rope: no kinks, no birdcage (spiral strand separation), no broken strands, no visible corrosion pitting. Any of these defects requires the rope to be replaced before use.
- Hooks: latch closes and springs back correctly, no distortion, no cracks, no excessive wear at the throat.
- Ratchet mechanism: pawl springs and engages cleanly, no damaged teeth, direction lever operates freely.
- Frame: no visible cracks, welds intact, no excessive deformation from previous use.
- WLL tag: present and legible. Do not use a come-along without a legible WLL rating.
Step-by-step use
- Identify a rated anchor point. The anchor must be capable of holding the rated pull force without moving or failing. Suitable anchors: a tree with a sling (minimum 100mm diameter, tree protector strap over the bark), a rated tow point on a vehicle, a structural column, a purpose-built ground anchor. Unsuitable anchors: fence posts, soil stakes, temporary signage, unrated cleats.
- Set the direction lever to release/freewheel. Run the cable out to the load — do not drag the come-along to the load with cable under tension.
- Hook the spool end of the cable to the anchor point. Ensure the hook latch is closed and properly seated in the fitting or sling.
- Hook the free end of the cable to the load. Use a rated shackle or the hook directly into a rated load point. Never wrap wire rope directly around an anchor or load point without a sling or shackle — the sharp bend reduces the effective WLL.
- Set the direction lever to pull.
- Clear all bystanders from the load line. A wire rope under tension stores elastic energy — if it fails, it can snap back violently. Establish a safety zone clear of the rope and load path.
- Apply tension gradually. Work the handle with smooth, even strokes. Listen and feel for the ratchet engaging cleanly. Do not shock-load — do not apply sudden jerking force to a slack rope.
- Maintain a straight pull line. Side-loading a come-along — pulling at an angle to the spool axis — reduces effective WLL and puts lateral stress on the frame. Use a snatch block to redirect the line if a straight pull is not possible.
- When the load is in position, set the lever to neutral before unhooking. Never release a loaded hook under tension.
Safety Rules
Never use a come-along for overhead lifting. This is the primary rule. A come-along is a pulling tool, not a lifting device. No exception for low loads, short lifts, or "just for a moment." Use a rated lever hoist or chain block for any lift. The consequences of a come-along failure under a suspended load are severe.
Never exceed the WLL. The WLL on the label is the maximum load the tool is designed to handle. Operating above it is a misuse of the tool and risks mechanism failure, rope failure, or hook distortion — any of which can cause load drop or snap-back.
Never use a damaged wire rope. A kinked, birdcaged, or broken-strand wire rope has significantly reduced strength — sometimes to less than half its rated capacity at the damage point. Replace the rope, not just the come-along.
Never shock-load. Jerking tension into a slack rope creates a dynamic load several times the static weight. Apply tension gradually.
Maintain a clear safety zone around the load line. Wire rope under tension can fail without warning. Keep all people clear of the potential snap-back arc.
Use rated hardware throughout the rigging. Every shackle, sling, chain, and anchor point in the system is a potential failure point. The WLL of the rigging system is the lowest WLL of any single component. A 2t come-along rigged with 800 kg shackles has an effective WLL of 800 kg.
AU standards note: Come-along winches are not classified under AS 1418 (lifting equipment standards) in Australia — they are pulling tools. For any application requiring a certified lifting device with documented WLL compliance under Australian standards, specify a lever hoist (AS 1418.2) or chain block (AS 1418.3). For industrial workplaces subject to WHS regulations, confirm the tool's intended use with your safety officer before use in a lifting application.
How to Choose a Come-Along Winch
Capacity (WLL)
Match the WLL to the maximum load you will pull — and add a working margin. For vehicle recovery, size up to at least 1.5t for most passenger 4WD vehicles (which weigh 1,800–2,500 kg gross — you will rarely need to move the full vehicle weight, but a margin is sensible). For farm and construction use, estimate the heaviest single load you will pull and buy the next size up. A 2t come-along for a 1t application gives you a safe working margin and longer tool life.
Cable length
Standard cable lengths: 3 m for 1t models, 4–5 m for 1.5–2t models. If your application regularly requires pulls longer than the cable length (vehicle recovery across long soft ground, pulling materials over long distances), factor in reset frequency or consider whether a tirfor is a better fit for the job.
Single vs double purchase
For most applications — standard loads within the WLL, adequate anchor points — single purchase is sufficient. If you anticipate regularly pulling loads near or at the rated WLL, or if your anchor points are marginal, a double-purchase rigging setup with a snatch block gives you significantly more pulling force at the cost of speed. For vehicle recovery, many experienced off-road users keep a small snatch block in the recovery kit specifically for double purchase rigging on difficult recoveries.
Wire rope vs webbing strap
Wire rope for industrial, construction, and farm applications where abrasion, rough edges, and long-term heavy use are the norm. Webbing strap for vehicle recovery applications where you want to protect vehicle anchor points, a tree anchor, or reduce the risk from rope snap-back (webbing stores less elastic energy than wire rope of the same length under the same tension). Webbing strap requires more frequent inspection for UV damage, abrasion, and contamination.
Frame quality
Look for drop-forged steel hooks (not cast — cast hooks can crack without deforming, giving no visual warning before failure). Quality models have a pressed or fabricated steel frame with a permanent WLL tag that cannot be easily removed. Avoid come-alongs with no WLL marking or with poorly finished castings.
Brands in Australia
In the Australian market, Beaver Products and Austlift are recognised industrial lifting and rigging brands that supply both chain blocks and come-along winches to Australian trade. For 4WD recovery specifically, ARB and Fulton Hopkins stock come-alongs targeted at the vehicle recovery market. At the general trade and hardware level, Kincrome and other professional hand-tool suppliers cover the working trade segment. For industrial and rigging-grade supply, confirm the WLL certification documentation is available for the specific model before purchasing for a workplace application.
For manual lifting and pulling equipment stocked by AIMS, see the chain blocks range — lever hoists and chain blocks for rated lifting and horizontal pulling applications — and the complete Chain Block Guide covering capacity, use, and selection.
For workshop applications where a component needs to be secured once it has been moved into position — for cutting, filing, drilling, or fitting — an engineer's bench vice is the standard clamping solution, rated for sustained bench-work forces on ferrous and non-ferrous materials.
Pull it. Position it. Get it done.
Shop come-alongs, chain blocks & lever hoists from Austlift & Beaver
From Austlift wire rope cable pullers to Beaver worm drive hand winches — AIMS Industrial stocks manual lifting and pulling equipment across all WLL ratings for construction, mining, and industrial maintenance, ready to ship Australia-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a come-along winch?
A come-along winch is a manually operated wire rope ratchet puller — a portable tool used to pull loads horizontally across the ground. One hook attaches to a fixed anchor point, the other to the load, and a ratchet lever progressively winds in the wire rope to pull the load toward the anchor. The ratchet locks each stroke, holding the load in position while the operator repositions the lever. Come-along winches are used in vehicle recovery, farm work, construction, and industrial load positioning. They are pulling tools only — not rated for overhead lifting.
What is another name for a come-along winch?
In Australia, come-along winches are also called hand winches, cable pullers, wire rope pullers, chain pullers, and come-along tools. In the US, the same type is often called a cable puller or hand cable puller. The term "hand winch" is the most common in Australian trade use when referring to a general class of manually operated wire rope pulling tools. Tirfor winch, lever hoist, and chain block are related but distinct tools — each works differently and has different permitted applications.
What is the difference between a come-along winch and a lever hoist?
A come-along winch uses a wire rope and ratchet spool mechanism. It is rated for horizontal pulling only — never for overhead lifting. A lever hoist uses a calibrated load chain and is rated to AS 1418.2 for both lifting and horizontal pulling. The lever hoist is the more versatile tool: it can substitute for a chain block in many lifting applications as well as handle horizontal pulls. The come-along is a lower-cost pulling-only tool. Never use a come-along to lift a load off the ground — use a lever hoist or chain block for any lifting application.
Can you use a come-along winch to lift loads vertically?
No. A come-along winch is not rated for overhead lifting. The wire rope is not certified for vertical load suspension, the frame and ratchet mechanism are not designed to hold a suspended load, and come-along winches are not classified under AS 1418 (Australian lifting equipment standards). Using a come-along to lift a load is a misuse of the tool regardless of the load weight. For overhead lifting, use a lever hoist (AS 1418.2) or chain block (AS 1418.3). For any combination of lifting and horizontal pulling, a lever hoist is the correct choice.
What is a tirfor winch and how is it different from a come-along?
A tirfor (also called a grip hoist or wire rope hoist) uses an alternating jaw-grip mechanism to pull a continuous wire rope through the device — there is no spool. The rope passes all the way through, meaning a tirfor can pull a load over any distance without resetting, provided the rope is long enough. A come-along winds wire rope onto a spool, limiting the effective pull to 3–6 m before a reset is required. Tirfors are heavier and more expensive than come-alongs but are preferred for long-distance continuous pulls in forestry, construction, and 4WD recovery over large distances. For short-distance pulls (under 5 m), a come-along at a fraction of the cost is adequate.
What is the difference between single purchase and double purchase on a come-along winch?
Single purchase is the direct configuration — one end of the cable anchors, the spool winds in the other. The load moves at the same rate as the cable winds. Double purchase uses a floating snatch block between the load and anchor: the cable runs from spool, through the snatch block on the load, and back to a fixed anchor point. This doubles the mechanical advantage — a 1t come-along can effectively pull 2t — but the load moves half the distance per stroke and twice as many strokes are required. Double purchase requires a separate snatch block and an additional anchor point. The WLL printed on the tool is for single purchase; check the manufacturer's specification for double-purchase capacity.
How much weight can a come-along winch pull?
Standard commercial come-along winches in Australia are available from 800 kg through to 3 t WLL (Working Load Limit) in single-purchase configuration. Double-purchase rigging with a snatch block can effectively double the available pull force at the cost of speed and additional equipment. For workplace use, always confirm the WLL is appropriate for the maximum expected load plus a safety margin — do not use a tool at or near its rated maximum on a regular basis. The WLL is the maximum rated pull; design to work well within it for tool longevity and safety.
How long is the cable on a standard come-along winch?
Wire rope cable length on standard come-along winches varies by capacity: 1t models typically have 3 m of cable; 1.5–2t models commonly have 4–5 m. After the cable is fully wound in, the come-along cannot pull the load any further from that anchor position — a reset is required to move the anchor point closer and resume. For applications requiring more than the cable length per pull, factor in reset frequency or consider a tirfor winch which allows continuous pulls to any distance.
How do I reset a come-along winch mid-pull?
When the cable is fully wound and the load needs to travel further: (1) block or support the load to prevent it running back; (2) switch the direction lever to neutral or release; (3) unhook the spool-end hook from the anchor; (4) move the come-along or re-anchor it at a new position closer to the load's current position; (5) run the cable out using the freewheel function; (6) re-hook to the new anchor; (7) switch back to pull mode and continue. Each reset typically takes 2–5 minutes. For a difficult vehicle recovery requiring multiple resets, a tirfor winch or a longer rope with a snatch block redirect is more efficient.
Are come-along winches suitable for 4WD vehicle recovery?
Yes — come-along winches are a practical 4WD recovery tool for most standard recoveries where the vehicle needs to be pulled 3–5 m to free it from soft ground. A 1.5t or 2t come-along provides sufficient force for most passenger 4WD vehicles. Anchor to a tree with a tree trunk protector sling, a second vehicle's rated recovery point, or a rated ground anchor — never to a fence post. Use double purchase (with a snatch block) for deeper bogs or when the first pull is not sufficient. For long-distance recoveries or very difficult terrain, a tirfor winch is better suited due to its unlimited continuous pull capability without resetting.
What should I check before using a come-along winch?
Before every use, inspect: (1) Wire rope — no kinks, birdcage (strand separation), broken strands, or corrosion; replace immediately if any are found. (2) Hooks — latches close correctly, no distortion, cracks, or excessive throat wear. (3) Ratchet mechanism — pawl springs and engages cleanly, no damaged or missing teeth, direction lever operates correctly. (4) Frame — no visible cracks, welds intact, no significant deformation. (5) WLL tag — present and legible; do not use if the WLL cannot be confirmed. A come-along showing any of these defects should be taken out of service immediately.
What is the difference between a come-along winch and a chain block?
A chain block is a vertical lifting device — it hangs overhead from a beam, crane hook, or trolley and lifts loads straight up using a load chain and hand chain operated through a series of sheaves. It cannot be used horizontally. A come-along winch is a horizontal pulling tool — it pulls loads across the ground and cannot be used for overhead lifting. For horizontal pulling, use a come-along or lever hoist. For vertical lifting, use a chain block or lever hoist. For both horizontal and vertical use in one tool, a lever hoist (rated to AS 1418.2) is the correct choice.
