"Come-along" covers two different tools that share a handle: cable ratchet pullers and chain lever hoists. They look alike in the crib and behave very differently over a load — one of them is never allowed overhead. Sorting that out is the whole game.
Cable Ratchet Pullers
The classic come-along: stamped-steel frame, wire rope on a ratchet drum, hook each end. Rated typically 1–4 tons for pulling only — dragging equipment, tensioning fence and guy lines, skidding loads. Most cable pullers are marked "not for lifting" or "not for hoisting," and the stamped frames, unguarded ratchets, and single-pawl designs are why. Treat every cable puller as ground-work only unless the manufacturer explicitly rates it for hoisting.
Chain Lever Hoists
A lever hoist (ratchet lever hoist) is a different machine: forged hooks with latches, Grade 100 load chain, an enclosed gear train, and — critically — a Weston-style load brake that holds the load automatically at any point. Lever hoists are designed and rated for overhead lifting under ASME B30.21, in capacities from 3/4 to 9+ tons, and double as precision pulling and positioning tools (they pull in any orientation — horizontal, inverted, angled).
Side-by-Side
| Cable puller | Lever hoist | |
|---|---|---|
| Overhead lifting | No | Yes (B30.21) |
| Load holding | Pawl only | Automatic load brake |
| Typical capacity | 1–4 tons (pull) | 3/4–9 tons |
| Cost | $ | $$$ |
Working Rules for Both
Never cheater-pipe the handle — the lever length is part of the rating. Rig in a straight line to rated anchor points, keep bodies out of the line of pull, take up slack before loading, and never wrap load chain or cable around the load as a choker unless the manufacturer permits it. On lever hoists, inspect load chain for stretch and nicks, hooks for spread and latch function, and verify the brake holds before committing the load.
Which to Buy
If the tool will ever see a suspended load — buy the lever hoist. If it's genuinely pull-only and budget-bound, a quality cable puller serves, clearly marked and stored away from the lifting gear so the two never swap jobs on a busy day.
Pullers & Hoists, Quoted Fast
Lever hoists and cable pullers across the capacity range, with the chain, hooks, and rigging to anchor them. Capacity and duty into the quote form at the top of the page — quotes answered during business hours.