How to Use a Come Along Winch? | Safe Pulling Basics

A come along winch pulls a load by anchoring to a solid point and ratcheting the handle in controlled strokes. Never use it for overhead lifting.

A come along winch multiplies arm strength into thousands of pounds of pulling force — which is exactly why the anchor and the release matter more than the handle. It’s a manual ratchet puller: one end hooks to a solid anchor, the other to the load, and the handle takes up tension a click at a time. Get the anchor and the release right, keep the pull line straight, and everything else falls into place once you know how to use a come along winch.

A Come Along Pull: The Five-Step Sequence

Every come along pull follows the same order: inspect, anchor, attach, ratchet, release.

1. Inspect the cable or strap and the mechanism. Check for frays, kinks, cracks, binding, and damaged hooks or cable. Damaged equipment fails under load — don’t use it.
2. Anchor to a solid, rated point. A tow hitch, frame member, or tree strap works. Never wrap the wire rope directly around an anchor; use a sling and shackle so the cable doesn’t get crushed or cut.
3. Attach the load hook to a secure point on the load and remove slack from the line.
4. Ratchet slowly and steadily. Let the pawl click one tooth at a time. Jerking the handle shock-loads the cable, and a shock-loaded wire rope can snap back violently.
5. Release under control. Lower tension gradually and only unhook once the load is fully secured by other means.

When the pull is working, the cable stays taut and the load inches forward with each stroke instead of jumping.

What Gets People Hurt With A Come Along?

Most come along accidents trace back to a bad anchor, an angled pull, or a skipped safety check.

• Pull in a straight line. Side-loading and angled pulls stress the hooks and housing in ways the manufacturer never rated. If the line has to change direction, use a pulley or snatch block to redirect it.
• Keep a clear zone. Bystanders stay out of the load path for the entire pull. A broken wire rope whips without warning.
• Respect the rated capacity. The numbers in the unit’s manual are the limit.
• Never use it for lifting. Manufacturer manuals, including ComeUp’s come along instruction manual, state the puller must not be used to lift, support, or transport personnel. It’s also wrong for overhead lifting of any load — that’s a job for a rated hoist.

For light work such as tensioning fence wire, our tested roundup of the best 1/4-ton come along options shows which compact pullers hold up before you spend money.

Releasing The Load: When Is It Safe To Unhook?

The release is the step people rush, and it’s where loads drop and fingers get pinched.

• Lower tension gradually — a few clicks at a time — and keep the load supported by jack stands, blocks, or another secure method before you unhook.
• Never release a loaded hook under full tension. The sudden slack whips the cable, the hook, and anyone in its path.
• Don’t side-load the hook or pull at an angle without a snatch block.
• Inspect the cable again after the pull. A kink, fray, or cracked link that shows up during a job is a sign to stop and replace the unit.

Follow that order, and the release becomes a controlled step instead of a gamble.