Chain & Rope Comealongs
A chain come along is one of the most versatile tools when it comes to lifting puling heavy objects. Also known as a lever hoist or ratchet, these machines can lift vertically and horizontally, used in many rigging operations this tool has been called the outdoorsman second hand.
What is a come along tool?
A come along tool is a device that is used to apply mechanical leverage to help lift or move heavy objects. They are also referred to as wire rope hand ratchet pullers. It consists of a pair of metal handles with a pulley system in the middle.
The object being moved is placed between the handles, and then the user pulls on the handles to create tension in the pulley system. This tension is used to lift or move the object.
These differ from a chain hoist in that they use manual or powered input to lift items vertically, whereas the come along tool uses a ratcheting pulley system to move an item horizontally or diagonally.
The come along tool is a very versatile piece of equipment, and can be used for a variety of tasks such as moving heavy furniture, shifting large rocks, or even pulling down tree branches. It is a must-have tool for any home or workshop, and can make light work of even the heaviest tasks.
A Come a long chain is primarily used for pulling and not lifting. To lift, manual lever chain hoists are the preferred solution, as they also use the ratchet system similar to the come along and can lift heavy loads with ease.
What to Look for When Using a Ratchet Lever Hoist:
Checking Capacity - Capacity is the single most factor in all come alongs, as you want to be sure the come along you select will be able to handle the weight of the load you are moving. The rated capacity should exceed your lifting weight or load so that you can ensure a safe and smooth lift.
3 ton, 1 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1/4 ton, 15 ton, 5 ton, 6 ton capacities are all common for lever hoists so it should not be too difficult to find one that fits your load requirements.
Height: Another important aspect of the lever hoist is the lift height. It is essential to know the height you will require for your load. Each hoist has a lift length rating which makes it easier to follow.
Overload protection: Many of the newer chain lever hoists comes with overload protection such as shear pins, which protects the hoist. Many of them have bendable handles to alert you of an overload. The double locking pawl mechanism also prevents the chain from slipping down under excess loads. This locks the hoist when other protections fail, protecting the load from falling and the user from injury.
Stress links are also another type used by many hoists. Many suppliers now feature overload protection as a standard so it is very easy to find one with this added safety feature.
How to use a Lever Hoist:
A. With the direction switch in the neutral position pull out the grip ring.
B. Adjust the chain to the length that is required, lower the retaining paw back down and push the grip ring back in.
C. To raise load pull excess chain after setting the switch to neutral so that the chain is straight without any excess on the side where it is attached to the material that is being lifted.
D. Flip the switch to the "up" position and now using the ratchet handle you can slowly move the object up until the height that you require is reached.
E. If the item is being moved down, flip the switch to the "down" position and use the ratchet handle to lower the item back down.