If you need to move a fallen tree, pull a fence post, or lift heavy equipment in your garage or yard, a come along can save you from strain and injury. This hand-operated winch multiplies your pulling power several times over, making it one of the most useful tools for homeowners tackling outdoor projects, vehicle recovery, or property maintenance.
You’ll learn what a come along is, how it works, when to use one, and how to choose the right model for common tasks around your home and property.
What Is a Come Along?
A come along is a portable, hand-operated winch that uses a ratcheting lever mechanism to pull heavy loads over short distances. It consists of a steel cable or chain, a ratchet handle, and two hooks that attach to an anchor point and the object you need to move. By pumping the handle back and forth, you create mechanical advantage that multiplies your pulling force, allowing you to move loads weighing anywhere from half a ton to several tons depending on the tool’s capacity.
How a Come Along Works
The tool operates through a simple ratcheting system that advances the cable or chain in small increments with each pump of the handle. When you pull the lever one direction, a pawl engages a gear that draws the cable in, and when you return the handle to starting position, the pawl holds the load in place while resetting for the next pull.
This design gives you significant mechanical advantage, typically ranging from 4:1 to 20:1 depending on the model. A 3:1 ratio means every pound of force you apply to the handle translates to three pounds of pulling force on the load.
Most come alongs include a release lever that lets you safely let out cable when you need to reposition or lower a load. Always keep tension controlled when releasing to prevent the cable from whipping or the load from dropping suddenly.
Common Uses for a Come Along Around Your Property
Homeowners reach for a come along when brute strength won’t suffice and calling in heavy equipment seems excessive. These tools bridge the gap for dozens of practical tasks.
Removing Stumps and Moving Trees
After cutting down a tree, you can use a come along anchored to a healthy tree or vehicle to pull the stump from the ground after you’ve severed the main roots. The same approach works for dragging felled trees to a processing area or moving large logs.
Never anchor to a tree smaller than the one you’re moving, and always wrap the anchor tree with a tree saver strap to prevent bark damage. Check that roots are cut adequately before pulling, or you risk damaging your anchor point or snapping the cable.
Setting and Straightening Fence Posts
A come along excels at pulling fence posts upright when they’ve leaned over time or helping you draw wire fencing tight during installation. Attach one hook to the post and the other to a secure anchor, then ratchet the post into correct position before backfilling.
You can also use the tool to pull new posts into post holes that are slightly misaligned, though it’s better to re-dig than force a post into a badly positioned hole.
Vehicle and Equipment Recovery
If a lawn tractor, ATV, or car gets stuck in mud or a ditch on your property, a come along lets you pull it out without a tow truck. Anchor the come along to a tree or another vehicle positioned on solid ground, attach the pulling hook to a strong frame point on the stuck vehicle, and winch it free gradually.
Never attach to bumpers, tie-down loops, or lightweight body panels that can tear loose under load. Use only rated recovery points or the vehicle frame.
Lifting and Moving Heavy Objects in Your Garage or Workshop
You can rig a come along to lift engines, appliances, or heavy woodworking projects when combined with a sturdy overhead beam or tripod. The tool gives you precise control to raise and position loads that would otherwise require multiple helpers or a hoist.
Make certain your overhead anchor can support at least three times the weight you’re lifting, and never position yourself or others underneath a suspended load.
Straightening Leaning Sheds or Small Structures
When a shed, chicken coop, or small outbuilding starts to lean, a come along can pull it back to plumb before you add bracing or repair the foundation. Secure one end to the structure at a high point and anchor the other end to the ground or a stable structure in the direction you need to pull.
Work slowly and check alignment frequently, because overcorrecting can cause different structural problems or pull anchor points loose.
Types of Come Alongs
Come alongs fall into two main categories based on what they pull: cable and chain models. Each has specific strengths that make it better suited for certain jobs.
Cable Come Alongs
These models use steel aircraft cable, typically ranging from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch in diameter. Cable units are lighter, more compact, and easier to store than chain versions, making them popular for occasional home use.
The downside is that cable can fray, kink, or develop broken strands that weaken it over time. Inspect the cable before every use, and retire any come along that shows damaged or frayed wire strands.
Chain Come Alongs (Lever Hoists)
Chain models, often called lever hoists or ratchet chain hoists, use hardened steel chain instead of cable. They’re more durable, resist kinking, and handle abrasion better than cable versions, which makes them the better choice for frequent use or rough conditions.
Chain come alongs cost more and weigh more than cable models of the same capacity. They’re the standard in professional and industrial settings but may be excessive for a homeowner who pulls stumps once a year.
Choosing the Right Capacity
Come alongs are rated by their maximum pulling capacity, typically ranging from 1 ton (2,000 pounds) to 6 tons (12,000 pounds) for consumer models. Always choose a come along rated for significantly more than your estimated load, because real-world conditions like friction, angles, and binding add resistance.
A 2-ton model handles most light homeowner tasks like tightening fence wire, pulling small stumps, or recovering a riding mower. For dragging large trees, moving vehicles, or lifting heavy equipment, look at 3-ton or 4-ton models.
If you’re uncertain about a load’s weight, choose a higher-capacity tool or consult the manufacturer’s guidance. Overloading a come along can cause cable or chain failure, which creates serious injury risk.
Safety Considerations You Cannot Ignore
Come alongs store tremendous energy under load, and failure or misuse can cause severe injuries. Following basic safety rules makes the difference between a successful project and a trip to the emergency room.
Inspect Before Every Use
Check the cable or chain for wear, broken strands, kinks, or rust. Examine both hooks for cracks, bending, or excessive wear, and test the ratchet mechanism to confirm it holds load without slipping.
Replace any come along that shows damage rather than risk failure under load. Repair is not a practical option for most homeowners.
Use Proper Anchor Points
Your anchor must be stronger than the load you’re pulling. For tree anchors, choose healthy trees at least 12 inches in diameter and use a wide tree saver strap to distribute the load and protect bark.
When anchoring to a vehicle, engage the parking brake, chock the wheels, and verify the vehicle won’t slide under load. Never anchor to bumpers, tow hooks not rated for recovery, or body panels.
Keep Clear of the Load Path
Stand to the side of the cable or chain while operating the come along, never in line with it. If the cable breaks or a hook pulls free, it can whip back with lethal force.
Keep bystanders well away from the work area, and never step over or straddle a loaded cable.
Work Within the Tool’s Limits
Come alongs are designed for slow, controlled pulling over short distances, typically 5 to 20 feet depending on cable length. They’re not substitutes for cranes, tow trucks, or powered winches when a job exceeds their capacity or requires longer pulls.
If you’re pulling and the handle becomes extremely difficult to move or the load won’t budge, stop and reassess rather than forcing it. You may need a higher-capacity tool, a better anchor, or a different approach entirely.
Wear Appropriate Safety Gear
Use heavy work gloves to protect your hands from cable slivers and pinch points. Safety glasses prevent injury from flying debris if a cable strand breaks or a hook slips.
Steel-toed boots provide foot protection if you drop the tool or a hook falls during setup.
How to Use a Come Along Safely and Effectively
Proper setup and technique ensure the job gets done without damage or injury. Follow these steps for typical pulling tasks.
- Choose an anchor point that’s stable, rated for the load, and positioned so the pull line is as straight as possible to the object you’re moving.
- Attach the anchor hook securely, making sure it’s fully seated and the hook latch is closed if your model includes one.
- Extend the cable or chain to the load and attach the pulling hook to a strong point on the object, again ensuring the hook is fully seated.
- Remove any slack by taking up cable with the ratchet handle, keeping tension light during setup.
- Before applying serious force, double-check both attachment points, verify everyone is clear of the load path, and confirm the release lever is in the locked position.
- Pump the handle smoothly and steadily, watching the load and anchor for any shifting, slipping, or unexpected movement.
- Stop periodically to inspect the setup, especially during the first few pulls when most failures occur.
- Once the load is positioned, secure it with blocks, straps, or other means before releasing tension on the come along.
- Use the release lever slowly to let cable out in a controlled manner, never allowing it to free-spool.
Maintenance That Extends Tool Life
A come along requires minimal upkeep but benefits greatly from basic attention after each use. Wipe down the cable or chain to remove dirt, mud, and moisture that promote rust.
Apply a light coat of oil to the cable or chain and allow it to penetrate before storing the tool in a dry location. Lubricate the ratchet mechanism and pivot points according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically once or twice a year for occasional users.
Store the come along with no tension on the cable and both hooks secured so they won’t snag or cause injury when you reach for the tool. Hanging storage keeps the cable from developing kinks and protects it from moisture on a garage or shed floor.
When to Call a Professional Instead
Come alongs handle many homeowner tasks safely and affordably, but some jobs exceed their design limits or your skill level. Hire professionals with proper equipment for tree removal that threatens structures or power lines, vehicle recovery on slopes or near water, any lifting task that requires precise positioning of loads over occupied spaces, or moving loads that exceed the capacity of consumer-grade come alongs.
Structural work like straightening buildings that show signs of foundation failure or major framing damage requires an engineer’s assessment before you pull anything. What looks like a simple lean may indicate serious problems that pulling will worsen.
Where to Buy and What to Expect
Home centers, farm supply stores, automotive parts retailers, and online suppliers all carry come alongs in common capacities. Prices range from around thirty dollars for basic 1-ton cable models to several hundred dollars for heavy-duty 4-ton or 6-ton chain hoists.
Well-known tool brands offer reliable models with clear capacity ratings and replacement parts availability. Avoid unbranded imports that lack rated capacity information or provide specifications only in unfamiliar units without clear conversion.
Read the product specifications carefully to confirm cable length meets your needs, because extending a come along’s reach safely requires additional rigging knowledge and equipment.
Make Heavy Work Manageable
A come along turns jobs that seem impossible into manageable projects you can complete safely on your own schedule. Whether you’re maintaining your property, tackling storm cleanup, or building improvements that require moving heavy materials, this simple mechanical tool delivers reliable power without electricity, fuel, or complex operation.
Start with tasks well within the tool’s rated capacity, practice proper setup and safety habits, and you’ll find yourself reaching for the come along whenever muscle alone won’t suffice. Choose the right capacity for your most common jobs, inspect it before every use, and it will serve you for decades of projects around your home and yard.
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