I just bought a 4 ton comealong from the local 'Tool Store' to remove my
stump after severing all the roots I could find.

I think it was regular $59 on sale for $29, the best they had. The release
never did work right out of the box. There's a little aluminum bolt on a
spring that's supposed to push the ratchet out of the way, but it just kept
getting bent. The winching seemed to go fine, except I noticed that the
rivet that the third hook attaches to had popped loose. Fortunately the
tension kept in place, so that the cable didn't snap loose and take my head
off.

So I was looking around the net for a better version, but they all pretty
much look like the one I bought. Some are $8 on eBay, cheap is not what I
want in a comealong. The stump is out BTW, so it's not something I'll need
until the next time.

On May 5, 7:08 pm, "Bill Stock" wrote:
I just bought a 4 ton comealong ...regular $59 on sale for $29, the best ...
never did work right out of the box. ...
So I was looking around the net for a better version, but they all pretty
much look like the one I bought. Some are $8 on eBay, cheap is not what I
want ...

Maasdam Pow'r Pull

http://www.maasdam.com/

Bill Stock wrote:

I just bought a 4 ton comealong from the local 'Tool Store' to remove my
stump after severing all the roots I could find.

I think it was regular $59 on sale for $29, the best they had. The release
never did work right out of the box. There's a little aluminum bolt on a
spring that's supposed to push the ratchet out of the way, but it just kept
getting bent. The winching seemed to go fine, except I noticed that the
rivet that the third hook attaches to had popped loose. Fortunately the
tension kept in place, so that the cable didn't snap loose and take my head
off.

So I was looking around the net for a better version, but they all pretty
much look like the one I bought. Some are $8 on eBay, cheap is not what I
want in a comealong. The stump is out BTW, so it's not something I'll need
until the next time.

All of that style comealong are made in China these days. There are
similar functioning units that are high quality, high price and
typically not made in China available. You can find some from 4x4
suppliers and from industrial suppliers.

Another option that often works with made in China stuff is to rebuild
the unit replacing the substandard fasteners with quality ones since
it's usually the fasteners that are the problem and the rest of the unit
is typically ok.

Masdaam used to be a very good come along. I think they may be
imported now.

I have always preferred the double ratchet on the American Power
Pull. They are still made in the USA. He
http://www.americanpowerpull.com/Cat...wer_pulls.html

--
______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Bill Stock" wrote in message
...
I just bought a 4 ton comealong from the local 'Tool Store' to
remove my stump after severing all the roots I could find.

I think it was regular $59 on sale for $29, the best they had.
The release never did work right out of the box. There's a
little aluminum bolt on a spring that's supposed to push the
ratchet out of the way, but it just kept getting bent. The
winching seemed to go fine, except I noticed that the rivet that
the third hook attaches to had popped loose. Fortunately the
tension kept in place, so that the cable didn't snap loose and
take my head off.

So I was looking around the net for a better version, but they
all pretty much look like the one I bought. Some are $8 on eBay,
cheap is not what I want in a comealong. The stump is out BTW,
so it's not something I'll need until the next time.

"Bill Stock" wrote in message
...
I just bought a 4 ton comealong from the local 'Tool Store' to remove my
stump after severing all the roots I could find.

I think it was regular $59 on sale for $29, the best they had. The release
never did work right out of the box. There's a little aluminum bolt on a
spring that's supposed to push the ratchet out of the way, but it just
kept getting bent. The winching seemed to go fine, except I noticed that
the rivet that the third hook attaches to had popped loose. Fortunately
the tension kept in place, so that the cable didn't snap loose and take my
head off.

So I was looking around the net for a better version, but they all pretty
much look like the one I bought. Some are $8 on eBay, cheap is not what I
want in a comealong. The stump is out BTW, so it's not something I'll need
until the next time.

I use a few of those el cheapos.They are OK if you don't over extend them.
I've pulled a lot of small stuff out with them during the past 20 years and
use them to pull disabled garden tractors up on landscape trailers. I've
never spent more than $15 - I have as many broken as I do working right now.
But I also have a very old, second hand automotive chain hoist that will
pull a house off it's foundation.

On May 5, 7:37 pm, "DanG" wrote:
Masdaam used to be a very good come along. I think they may be
imported now.
....

They may be manufacturing offshore now, but they're still building the
same design/quality. Parts are still interchangeable w/ my 40+ year
old one...

--

"dpb" wrote in message
oups.com...
On May 5, 7:08 pm, "Bill Stock" wrote:
I just bought a 4 ton comealong ...regular $59 on sale for $29, the best
...
never did work right out of the box. ...
So I was looking around the net for a better version, but they all pretty
much look like the one I bought. Some are $8 on eBay, cheap is not what I
want ...

Maasdam Pow'r Pull

http://www.maasdam.com/


I like the Maasdam pullers. Have owned several, and they don't crush like
the flimsy Chinese ones.

Steve

for the last comealong you'll ever need to purchase see www.lug-all.com I
believe they are made in PA. It will set you back more then $25 but unless
you seriously abuse it, it will last a lifetime or 2.

Andrew
"Srgnt Billko" wrote in message
...

"Bill Stock" wrote in message
...
I just bought a 4 ton comealong from the local 'Tool Store' to remove my
stump after severing all the roots I could find.

I think it was regular $59 on sale for $29, the best they had. The
release never did work right out of the box. There's a little aluminum
bolt on a spring that's supposed to push the ratchet out of the way, but
it just kept getting bent. The winching seemed to go fine, except I
noticed that the rivet that the third hook attaches to had popped loose.
Fortunately the tension kept in place, so that the cable didn't snap
loose and take my head off.

So I was looking around the net for a better version, but they all pretty
much look like the one I bought. Some are $8 on eBay, cheap is not what I
want in a comealong. The stump is out BTW, so it's not something I'll
need until the next time.

I use a few of those el cheapos.They are OK if you don't over extend them.
I've pulled a lot of small stuff out with them during the past 20 years
and use them to pull disabled garden tractors up on landscape trailers.
I've never spent more than $15 - I have as many broken as I do working
right now. But I also have a very old, second hand automotive chain hoist
that will pull a house off it's foundation.

"Pete C." wrote in message
...
Bill Stock wrote:

I just bought a 4 ton comealong from the local 'Tool Store' to remove my
stump after severing all the roots I could find.

I think it was regular $59 on sale for $29, the best they had. The
release
never did work right out of the box. There's a little aluminum bolt on a
spring that's supposed to push the ratchet out of the way, but it just
kept
getting bent. The winching seemed to go fine, except I noticed that the
rivet that the third hook attaches to had popped loose. Fortunately the
tension kept in place, so that the cable didn't snap loose and take my
head
off.

So I was looking around the net for a better version, but they all pretty
much look like the one I bought. Some are $8 on eBay, cheap is not what I
want in a comealong. The stump is out BTW, so it's not something I'll
need
until the next time.

All of that style comealong are made in China these days. There are
similar functioning units that are high quality, high price and
typically not made in China available. You can find some from 4x4
suppliers and from industrial suppliers.

Another option that often works with made in China stuff is to rebuild
the unit replacing the substandard fasteners with quality ones since
it's usually the fasteners that are the problem and the rest of the unit
is typically ok.

Yeah, it occurred to me to replace the rivet with a steel bolt with locking
nut, but this doesn't really address the crappy release mechanism. I'm not
sure how I would fix this, not having seen any other models. I think I'll
exchange the one I have for now, until I can find something better.

The Maasdam and American Power Pull look reasonable, but I don't see any
local dealers (Toronto).

Bill Stock wrote:
....
Yeah, it occurred to me to replace the rivet with a steel bolt with locking
nut, but this doesn't really address the crappy release mechanism. I'm not
sure how I would fix this, not having seen any other models. I think I'll
exchange the one I have for now, until I can find something better.

The Maasdam and American Power Pull look reasonable, but I don't see any
local dealers (Toronto).

Maasdam at least has actual cast gear and ratchet and the release
works nicely...

Sure there are online distributors -- their model w/ the wire grip is
the most popular in the US midwest for fencing so farm supply
distributors are a good place to look. That probably isn't a high
demand in Toronto, I gues... I've also seen them on eBay on
occasion...