Tools to Move the Big Stuff
(Page 2 of 3)
June/July 2004
By Steve Maxwell
There are many inexpensive come-alongs on the market that are easy to overload and break; it's important to invest in a good-quality model if you want the tool to be safe and useful for the long term. You'll also find a come-along works much better if you keep the spool of steel cable, the ratchet mechanism and all the pivot points lubed with light oil.
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Come-alongs come in various "ton" sizes, based on their pulling power. A 1 1/2-ton version is OK for small loads, but a 3- or 4-ton unit probably will last longer and be more versatile. Expect to pay about $100 for a good 1 1/2-ton model and at least $150 for a 3-ton machine.
CHAIN SAW-POWERED WINCH
Although a tractor is a common choice for moving heavy things, it's not always the best option. Often, a tractor is way more machine than you need for most jobs around a small property, and tractors are expensive to buy, even used, and are costly to maintain.
Rigging a Block and Tackle
There are several ways to rig blocks, but here’s a favorite:
A. Attach one block to an anchor point such as a tree branch.
B. Thread the rope back and forth through the pulleys in each block.
C. Tie the rope to the hook (lug) on the last block in the sequence.
D. Use the hook on the first block in the sequence to anchor it to the item being pulled.
A block-and-tackle system such as this can multiply your pulling force by up to nine times.
If you need tractorlike pulling power in a portable, low-impact, less-expensive package, then the chain saw-powered winch (see photo, Page 58) is worth considering. Unlike the other options I've mentioned, this tool introduces more than just your muscle power into the equation; it links the gas engine from your chain saw with a system of pulleys, gears and cable to give you incredible pulling power.
This little-known pulling tool has a quarter-inch diameter steel cable on a spool and aluminum pulley blocks; the cable is powered by a 50-cubic-centimeter (cc) to 60-cc chain saw engine (with the cutting bar and chain removed) bolted to a high-leverage gearbox. Working together, these parts create excellent pulling power that's completely portable and doesn't leave tracks.
My rig — made by Lewis Winch — generates 4,000 to 8,000 pounds of pulling force, depending on whether it's rigged for a straight pull or in tandem with the aluminum pulley blocks that fit on the cable. That's enough power to pull a fresh-cut 12-inch-diameter, 16-foot-long log through the thickest bush at about 1 foot every two seconds. With a chain saw-powered winch, half-throttle speed is all it takes to haul a fully loaded pickup out of a muddy ditch.
