The Best Come Along Winches (Review) in 2023 | Autance

Our top pick of the best come along winches on the market has to be this TEKTON 5547 Power Puller. This heavy duty ratcheting gear pulley system features a super-strong steel construction with a corrosion-resistant galvanized finish, and a ¼ inch aircraft-grade steel cable with a pull length of 7 feet 3 inches (or 12 feet 7 inches when used as a single line).

The locking pawls and dual gears distribute pulling force evenly, and the self-closing safety latch hooks ensure secure connections, and allow you to use this come along cable puller as either a single or double line. All this enables you to safely move an impressive 4 tons of weight, by using the non-slip ratchet handle to release the cable one notch at a time. Negative reviews question the composition of the metal, but there are also numerous happy customers who have successfully used this winch to move heavy loads, including trailers stuck in the mud.

The 144S-6 Pow’R Pull by Maasdam can pull a comparatively low weight of 1 ton. However, that’s still a considerable weight, and what it lacks in capacity, it makes up for in quality of construction and ease of use – Massdam are the original creators of the come along winch, and it shows. Featuring a high-strength aluminum alloy ratchet, electro-plated steel pawls and a 3/16” diameter aircraft-grade cable, this cable come along is durable, wear resistant and billed as virtually indestructible.

The design boasts notch-at-a-time let down, which enables you to safely move heavy equipment and debris. Safety is clearly of the utmost importance with this winch, as it also includes OSHA approved safety latches to ensure hooks stay connected, and a non-slip plastic grip to ensure a comfortable operation and reduce fatigue. There are some reviews which question the quality of the pawls on the unit, but there are many more who are pleased with it, and have used it successfully to move heavy objects such as trees and rocks.

The next piece of kit on our list is this ABN Heavy-Duty Hand Puller with Cable Rope, which has a 2-ton maximum capacity (and 1-ton safe working load limit). This single gear come along tool features a galvanized 3/16” diameter braided steel cable, as well as a high-strength 3-plate ratchet and pawl system which the manufacturer states makes it suitable for farming, machine shop, boating and landscaping use – and there are also 2 x 3/8-inch hooks to help with a variety of applications.

This come along cable puller is operated by a 17-inch steel ratchet handle which has a cushioned, non-slip rubber grip, allowing easier and more productive operation. As far as safety features go, each hook includes safety spring latches to prevent injury and damage to your cargo. There are several reviewers who say this winch feels cheaply made, and question the flimsiness of certain parts. However, there are also plenty who say it served its purpose, and that it’s a good buy for such an affordable price.

Next up is the second model from Maasdam on our list, the 144SB-6. This come along winch has a 2-ton capacity, so double the maximum weight limit of the previous model – although as you would expect, the price reflects this. Other than the differing weight limit, the features are very similar to that of the 1-ton model. The galvanized cable is 3/16” in diameter, the pawls are made from high-strength steel alloy and there’s a 1-piece ratchet wheel made from aluminum alloy.

There’s also notch-at-a-time let down, OSHA safety latches, and the plastic, non-slip handle for comfortable and easy operation. The cable length is 12ft, but it can only lift a weight 6ft at a time, so half that of the 1-ton capacity model. It also weighs in at a slightly heavier 8.75lbs, although this isn’t much considering it can pull double the weight. Some reviews mention that it is hard to unreel the cable, although others seem to think this is an instructional or user issue, as they are happy with the quality of the product and have successfully used it to move heavy weights such as car haulers.

This Neiko 02256A Power Cable Puller has the most impressive pulling capacity yet at 5 tons. This heavy duty come along tool has a high-strength steel construction, and zinc-plated gears and hooks to prevent rust. It’s a double gear design, which allows for an even distribution of force and notched pulling action, and there are 3 hooks, not 2, which allows for even greater versatility.

There’s a long ratchet handle with a plastic grip, although some reviews mention that this doesn’t make for a comfortable ratcheting experience, and hand fatigue sets in quickly. Other users also seem to have had problems with the device coming apart under heavy use. However, as always, there are plenty of positive reviews to counteract the negatives, with many saying they’ve used this successfully for pulling weights of around 2 tons – so it might perhaps be that it is more suited to lower weights.

With a galvanized steel construction and 1/4-inch aircraft-grade cable, this TR Portable Power Puller can pull a maximum of 4 tons of weight, with a 2-ton safe working load limit. It includes a 1/4-inch aircraft-grade braided steel cable and a heavy duty steel frame to withstand the elements. It has a dual locking pawl system and dual gears to ensure an even distribution of force and a consistent movement.

The 2 x 3/8-inch hooks have safety latches and can accommodate chains of up to 1/2 inch. The 18-inch handle has a comfortable, 10.5-inch grip, making it easy to apply the necessary force without hand fatigue. This model also comes with a convenient carry case for storing and transporting your come along winch, making it the most portable design yet on our list. Reviews praise the quality, durability and solid construction of this heavy duty come along.

Onto another option from Maasdam now – who really are leaders in the field of come along winches – and it’s this A-20 Rope Come Along. This model is less heavy duty than the previous ones, with a maximum weight capacity of ‘only’ 3/4 ton. Unlike the others so far on this list, this come along winch features a rope rather than a cable. The rope is a 1/2-inch diameter Dacron polyester rope, which is both wear resistant and highway approved. It comes with 20ft of rope included, but the tool is also able to accommodate an unlimited length of rope, which makes it a highly flexible option and increases the number of potential uses.

As with the other Maasdam pullers, there’s notch-at-a-time let down, OSHA approved safety latches to ensure the hooks remain connected, and a non-slip grip on the handle to reduce user fatigue. There are numerous positive reviews of this winch, especially from people who have used it to move moderately sized trees, and those that praise the versatility provided by the increased length of the rope. If you don’t need to move weights of more than 3/4-tons, this rope come along tool is a solid choice.

This Wyeth Ratchet Puller is a much bulkier design, made from steel and iron and weighing in at 24lbs. It features 5/16” Amsteel Blue synthetic braided rope with an impressive length of 35ft, making it suitable for a variety of uses. Amsteel Blue is said to be stronger than cable, but significantly lighter. It’s constructed from a single, 12-strand braid of Dyneema SK-75 fiber with a Samthane coating. All this makes it easier for the user to operate, and eliminates the risk of whiplash associated with cables. The ratchet tool can move weights of up to 3tons dead lift, and 6tons drag-and-pull.

Reviews of this heavy duty rope come along are resoundingly positive. Many praise its solid construction and longevity, and one even compares the unit to a ‘rhinoceros’. There is also much appreciation of the fact that, unlike cable come along tools, if the rope on this were to snap, the backlash would not cause serious injury. Overall this seems to be a very high quality option, with a high weight capacity, and is perhaps one of the safer models on the market.

Our last offering from Maasdam on this list is the Pow’R Pull A-100. This is another rope come along, with the 1/2” diameter Dacron polyester rope measuring an impressive 100ft (hence the name). The longer reach means it can conform and accommodate a variety of loads, and it can also be used with an unlimited length of appropriate rope, if you need it. The other features of this ratchet remain largely the same as the previous Massdam models, with an aluminum alloy ratchet wheel, OSHA approved safety latches and notch-at-a-time let down.

Feedback for this rope come along is very encouraging. There are almost no negative comments, and dozens of positive reviews from people who have had great success using it, particularly to fell and move trees. These rope pullers are more expensive than the cable versions, but if you’re looking for a piece of equipment that will last a lifetime, it may well be worth the extra investment.

The final entrant on our list of the best come along winches is this ABN 1200lbs Single Gear Boat Come Along Winch. Made from high carbon steel with a zinc finish, this ratchet device features 23 feet of reinforced nylon strap and a single 3/8-inch drop-forged hook. It has a single-speed gear design and a 10-inch high leverage steel handle, as well as a 3-inch non-slip plastic grip for easy operation.

All of this is capable of maneuvering weights of up to 0.6 tons. This is comparatively low compared to similar tools, but it is also the lightest of the come along winches on this list, and might be a more convenient option for some. It’s designed primarily for loading boats onto trailers, and if the reviews are to be believed, it works well for this purpose.