Tips for Buying the Right Come Along

The come along, also known as the power puller, is expected to have continuous growth in the coming years, with a CAGR forecast of 4.8% from 2024 to 2031. This is attributed to increased usage in various industries, including mining, construction, and material handling.

Today’s article will share some tips for buying the right come along. A few features to consider are the needed weight capacity, pulling range, material, and cable type. Learn more about these attributes.

Load-Bearing Capacity

Come alongs have a smaller load-bearing capacity than winches. Most come alongs have a load-bearing capacity of one to five tons, but this also depends on the type of rope or cable used. 

That said, there is a limit. Sometimes, putting excess weight on a come along that cannot handle it will lead to damage. A repair is possible but can be costly and time-consuming. So, it's essential to know what your come along is suitable for. Here are some examples: 

• Lower capacity (1-2 ton) come alongs are perfect for workshop use and moving around heavy but smaller objects on the go. 
• Medium capacity (2-4 ton) come alongs are suited for heavy-duty pulling tasks such as vehicle pulling or road clearing. 
• High capacity (4-5 ton) come alongs are designed for extremely heavy loads, such as in tricky recovery operations or hoisting dead weight.

Pull Lengths

Come alongs have varying pull lengths for a multitude of tasks. Most fall into the 7 - 10 ft range, with some going up to as much as 100ft. The pull length of a come along can determine the type of tasks you can perform, so this is a notable consideration.

Lower-range come alongs are good for hoisting objects such as engines and suspending them in the air. They’re also great for towing vehicles. Lengthier come alongs are usually designed for more heavy-duty tasks or things like recovery operations, transferring cargo from one spot to another, and hoisting materials to a high spot.

Long-Range Pulling Capacity

As mentioned, certain come alongs are designed with long-range pulling tasks in mind. Those kinds of come alongs are great for extracting wrecked vehicles from crevices, ravines, and other hard-to-reach spots. Long-range come alongs are also used at construction sites to hoist materials up for the builders working high up, as that is the fastest and most efficient way to transport materials to a higher plane.

Materials and Their Impact

Come along components are made from many different materials that make them suitable for various tasks. The most common are steel, rope, and aluminum.

Steel is often used for steel ropes, hooks, and ratchets on power pullers. It’s sought after because of its sturdiness and outstanding reliability.

Regular ropes for come alongs are usually made from polyester, HMPE or high-modulus polyethylene, and hemp. Any of these ropes can be a great replacement for steel ropes because they’re way more flexible and affordable.

Cables

Another essential part of the power puller is the cable you will use to pull things around. Here are a few of the most common cable types and what they’re used for:

• Steel Rope: Steel rope is the sturdiest type of cable that you can use on a come along. It’s intended to perform heavy-duty tasks such as hoisting heavy objects, recovery operations, and towing.
• Regular Rope: Polyester, hemp, or HMPE ropes are used in come alongs and are alternatives to steel ropes. They are known for their flexibility and affordability. They are best for pulling light objects and clearing fallen trees.
• Chains: Chains are a middle ground between the sturdiness of steel rope and the flexibility of regular rope. They’re great for tasks such as deadweight suspension and pulling heavy objects.

Getting the Right Come Along with Southeast Rigging

These tips for buying the right come along will help you obtain the best equipment for your towing, hoisting, and pulling needs. If you require a come along right away, look into Southeast Rigging Inc. and our wide range of available options. We don't only offer various power pullers, but also some hoists and winches you can use for lightweight suspension or heavy-duty load bearing. 

We also offer training courses on efficient lifting and rigging, so don't hesitate to contact us and set a training date!