A come-along, also known as a power puller, is a hand-operated

winch A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in (wind up) or let out (wind out) or otherwise adjust the tension (physics), tension of a rope or wire rope (also called "cable" or "wire cable"). In its simplest form, it consists of a Bobb ...

with a

ratchet Ratchet may refer to: Devices * Ratchet (device), a mechanical device that allows movement in only one direction * Ratchet effect in sociology and economics * Ratchet, metonymic name for a socket wrench incorporating a ratcheting device * Ratc ...

used to pull objects. The drum is wrapped with

wire rope Steel wire rope (right hand lang lay) Wire rope is composed of as few as two solid, metal wires twisted into a helix that forms a composite ''rope'', in a pattern known as ''laid rope''. Larger diameter wire rope consists of multiple strands of ...

. A similar tool that uses a nylon strap is used to straighten trees, as it straightens gradually over time, therefore not splitting the trunk. Come-alongs are not rated for overhead lifting, but a similar-looking device called a ''ratchet lever'' ''hoist'' is used this way. The original tool of this type was developed by Abraham Maasdam of Deep Creek,

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

, about 1919, and later commercialized by his son, Felber Maasdam, about 1946. It has been copied by many manufacturers in recent decades. A similar heavy-duty unit with a combination chain and cable became available in 1935 that was used by railroads, but lacked the success of the cable-only type units."New Jack Enables One Man To Pull Heavy Loads"
''Popular Science'', May 1935, article & photo bottom of page 39 A similar tool to a come-along is a ''cable puller'', which does not have a drum and ratchet but directly grips the cable, allowing unlimited lengths of wire rope to be used.

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