Is a hand operated winch puller worth a damn?

Anyone have experience with these?

 

I have used a 3 ton chain come-a-long (very close in design) they work very well in a pinch for recovery but are very very slow. But for us it was cheaper than a winch (borrowed) and worked very well.

 

Its more work but for the price I dont see why not.

 

Its better than no winch!

 

Would it be better than a Hi-lift for winching operations?

 

I have used my 3-ton come along and a hi-lift for winching. Both work. Both are slow as f@ck. Both are a HELL of a lot better than having nothing!

Just be sure to have plenty of different length straps, connectors, etc. The short pull range of those options sometimes require you to be creative.For example, if you're stuck 15 ft from a tree with a six foot range come along and a twenty five foot strap you may have to wrap around the tree a couple of times or double it back. Different lengths and strong connectors can really increase your options.

 

I forgot to add. Most of the Harbor freight stuff I've used is crap. There's a reason why their products cost half as much as other retailers.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200419308501&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WVF%3F&GUID=9297e0871240a0b58704e014fff53c31&itemid=200419308501&ff4=263602_263622

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I have no experience with either but I did look at the picture.

Everything I read on this site says to stay away from a cable that is being winched. I've also seen videos of the winch firing back at the towing vehicle - even cracking the windshield.

I'm pretty sure you would be in the direct line of fire if that cable broke or became unhooked and you were using a hand wincher.

 

I've used a hand held winch like you are showing, they work but like others say very slow. I have also had the cable on an old come a long break before and the whole winch hit me in the knee, my knee still hasn't forgot that either. I would have one just as backup until you could afford a real winch becasue it is better than nothing.

 

Draping a blanket or something similar over each end will prevent the flyback in case of failure.

I was ripping out a stump with my old Bronco using a strap with the big hooks on each end. It came loose at the stump and flew back at my truck a million miles an hour. Fortunately it flew right over the top. If it had hit my rear window, it would have blown it out no problem.

 

Power puller. This is a forged unit and is worth the money.

https://www.wyeth-scott.com/index.asp

 

I had was luck enough to have one on me one night to help get me out of a mess while wheelin in the snow. I bought my 9000lb warn later that week though because it was kind of a bitch to use and very slow. I was definitely glad I had it on me though as it would have been much more time digging in the freezing cold darkness if i hadnt had one.

 

I'm curious; how is the jack employed in a winching operation?

Thanks.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9mqMTS8C_8

 

There was a thread over at Expedition Portal about various come-alongs/cable pullers. It is a good alternative to having to mount a heavy winch and bumper on the front too. I have a HI Lift but they aren't the easiest for recovery. I may pick something similar up as a "just-in-case".

Its a good idea to always throw something over your strap be it a floormat, jacket, etc. There was a guy here in MI killed a few years ago when the shackle broke on his recovery strap and came through the back window of his truck. Nailed him in the back of the head. Not a good way to end a wheeling trip.

 

I never knew you could do that with the hi-lift. Man was that guys voice dry though in the video!

 

Is 8000lbs. enough?

 

i've always been wondering the same thing. i don't have sliders yet, so i i don't have a high lift, and i'm still rockin the stock bumper, so no winch. thanks for asking zac.