The frugal man’s 3rd Gen recovery option: More Power Puller

With the popularity of these trucks, and a LOT of people getting into off-roading for the 1st time, I see many guys struggling to decide on which electric winch and winch-bumper they can afford or which they like the looks of. They want a winch out of fear of being stuck, but it’s a big investment and a bold change to the vehicle. In addition to cost and hassle of the winch itself, they are faced with the whole dual battery issue, and the added weight, loss of handling, and lower MPGs that come from fitting all that seldom-used jazz to your truck.

Electric winches are awesome, and for sure a nice feature on a truck. They are also a feature that is hardly ever used (for the average Joe), and in many cases will fail due to lack of maintenance, poor quality, the harsh location they are mounted in (exposed to elements), or electrical issues, leaving you Fubar when you finally need it. It also isn’t usable in all directions or angles (typically front mounted).

As it is very unlikely I will need a winch in the type of backcountry travel I do, I have opted for the less expensive, and maintenace free option of the Wyeth Scott “More Power Puller”. Back in the day, these devices, ‘come-alongs’, and ‘tirfors’ were how many people recovered stuck vehicles before electric winches became commonplace. The More Power Puller is a hand operated winch that has been made since the 1930’s. It’s a device invented for logging, and is like a ‘come-along’ on steroids. I just wanted to point this device out to newbs who are struggling with the fear of being stuck, but not wanting to hack up their truck’s front end, or if they simply cannot afford a full winch build.

Advantages:

-cost (not cheap, but cheaper than a bumper / winch / battery)

-weight

-maintenace free (store it in a dry Rubbermaid box or other waterproof case)

-can be used on the front or the back or the side of your vehicle. You are not stuck with forward-facing recoveries only (huge advantage)

-can be used to recover your own vehicle from a rollover (will right the vehicle even if the electrical system is damaged)

-does not run the risk of draining your batteries, leaving you stranded for other reasons.

-can be used to move downed trees off trails, shift rocks etc, like any winch.

-proven hard-use technology, in use and manufactured for decades, with all parts you might need readily available.

-buy it, store it in your truck, forget about it. It will work if ever you need it.

-I am Canadian, but I’ll throw an honest ‘Murica fuck-ya!!! in here for the fact this item is still proudly made in the USA, and the owners of the company have resisted the temptation of “Designed in USA / Made in China”, to increase profits.


Disadvantages:

-requires human muscle (pack a sandwich).

-is much slower than an electric winch (pretty much good for emergency use only......not suitable for winching yourself across the Darien Gap)....(edit: found a vid of a team using one on the Darien Gap....so I guess if you are patient, it will work)

-tends to have less line spooled than an electric winch (I use a rated snatch strap to extend the line if I need more reach). You might need to take a second bite in a long recovery.

-you are in the line-of-fire if the rope breaks. Get the ‘Dyneema rope’ model, and use common sense. Don’t exceed the rating of the device. The handle is designed as a “mechanical fuse”, and is supposed to fold before the rope or wire breaks.

Anyways.....check these things out. Some guys who have an electric winch will also carry one of these as a back up. I am not saying these devices are better than a full electric winch install, but they are a “cheap and cheerful” option for fellas who just want a little peace of mind and can’t wrap their heads around a full electric winch install.

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



https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QQnVttf4vr8

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9v4pThDbRBs

Darien Gap by hand-winch:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XLx-B3EBqWg

 

I would dread getting stuck if I had that thing... but unfortunately you are right. I don’t think a full blown electric winch could be justified with the kind of off-roading I do. Hell I probably have to try to get stuck lol. So with that In mind, i actually kinda like the idea behind this thing.

 

I have looked into these before. Not cheap, but much cheaper than bumper and winch.

 

I bought one 20+ years ago for recovery. I never needed it for the truck. I just get pulled by another truck. I have used it around the yard for moving boulders and pulling trees!

 

I looked at one of these, and believe them to be a good option, but as with anything it can be dangerous.

I ended up with a Hi-Lift and the appropriate accoutrements to act as a winch similar to the More Power Puller.

 

I actually run both. This thing is a backup to the winch and I can use it in the rear.

Great post.

 

I've been thinking about one of these. Some folks have recommended another one, the "Jet wire rope grip puller", but it's $490 for the 1 1/2 ton model.

 

As I said in another thread I used to work in Marine Salvage so I've used every kind of winch imaginable.

So this power puller looks well made for a comealong, but I don't really get the point of a well-made comealong. If you want a cheap winch in case you drive into a snowbank, get a $35, 2-ton comealong off Amazon.

If you want something because you plan on off-roading, loading trailers or felling trees, get a tirfor like these Jet knockoffs. They're much more versatile, safer, and easier to use.

If you plan on getting stuck a lot, get a 12V winch and a front receiver hitch so you can use it on the back.

If you want to look cool get a metal front bumper with a winch mount.

For me I am honest with myself and fall in the first category, but let me say that in industry nobody uses comealongs for a reason. They're a pain in the ass compared to a real winch.

 

Well, it’s safer due to the way it works, and it doesn’t come apart on you while you use it like a cheap tool might, it doesn’t seize or get tangled, and the load rating is actually engineered. I see your point, but think there is no comparison in durability, useability, and safety between this item and a harbour frieght stamped metal chinesium comealong for $35.

 

No offense but If I'm spending $300 on a hand winch I would get something that can lower the load under tension. And something that doesn't birdcage the wire all the time would be nice too.

Like I said it looks like a really nice comealong but comealongs are not "really nice" by definition.

 

I've used comealongs in the shop for various uses, but never for vehicle recovery. I'm sure it'll work just fine.

I'd personally go the hi-lift route, as it has so many other uses. Unless like @salmonmigration said, you're getting stuck a lot, then just get a winch.

 

No problem lowering the load under tension. That is part of the design of the Power Puller. You might want to review the way it works.

Sounds like you lack any experience with this device, so maybe your opinion is not all that valid.

 

Very valid point, and a good one to keep in mind.

All I can think of reading the name:

 

Carried a hi-lift for this purpose for years. Never needed it. Would have been a HUGE pain in the ass if I had to winch with it, but it would have done the job. Finally caved in and bought a winch for peace of mind, but still carry the hi-lift and chains as a backup.

 

Good lord. Alright man.

I have been smacked in the jaw enough times with a comealong to know I don't want to use one to let anything down.

 

Usually in the first five mods I’ve built or have had made a front bumper... but I’ve grown to love the beard on this SR, so I won’t be getting a bumper for this truck. I promised myself I would weld nothing to it or remove panels or install fiberglass. That said, these things are a good option for anyone like myself who don’t want to dig into the body/frame.


Also like how they made hand winching less sketch.

 

Like said above- a Tirfor Griphoist is really the way to go if you want a hand winch. I used to use both a spool-type comealong as well as a Griphoist “wirepuller” a lot with a job in the Forest Service, and the Griphoist was much more advanced, versitile and capable then a comealong!

 

Except the lack of Dyneema rope option for safety.

 

Fieldtrip time! Go yor your friendly neighborhood Forest Service fire station and ask them what they use.

Griphoists use a shear pin that supports the handle and snaps before the winch and cable does- they invented it.

 

Doesn’t save you from your hardware or anchor point breaking, and the wire rope coming back at you, so you might want to look into some more safety training for yourself.....or, feel free to follow your own path, and start a Tirfor thread. My only point here was that this Wyeth device is a good option for those unaware of its existence, and it’s great that it can be used with safer Dyneema rope, which Tirfors cannot.

Anyways.....if no one used the Wyeth More Power Puller, and found it useful, why the fuck are they still making it after nearly 100 years? I think it’s the only product the factory makes! Guess what.....it has survived all this time because it’s a great device. Nuff said.

YMMV.