Hand winching tools

[SneakyCuttlefish]

I'm looking for a hand winching device to drag some 1-2 tonne rocks out of my way. Anyone know of a good brand that is a bit more serious then the average 4x4 winch? I have done some googleing but haven't found anything outside of the mainstream.

Would a "black snake" (pry bar) and a hardcore block 'n' tackle hoist be okay to run horizontally or is this device strictly a vertical lifter?

 

[bazxa]

horizontal is ok but a bit painful to keep the pulleys clean until loaded. Gripping the rock is another problem. Keep clear as things go wrong quickly.

 

[ken2m]

You can get 4x4 winches that will pull 5 ton and lift 3.2 ton. I have one of them. Mind you I have never had to use it but I know it's there when I need it. Most second hand ones have only been used once or twice. Mine was purchased on Evilbay second hand for $200.00, just ensure if you do buy second hand that the wire rope has not been stored on concrete (you can tell by a white substance in the strands of wire) and the wire is not excessively squashed, I think 10% is the maximum, the main body has little to go wrong. Use a drag chain to hook up to the rocks as it will be less damaged in the pull. Don't wrap the wire cable around the rock as it will cause it terrible damage to the cable.

Use a winch dampener whenever using any winch.

And most important of all Use a winch dampener

 

[belladonna]

Sneaky cuttlefish,

Google tirfor , a brand of hand winch. You can also hire them.

Regards Ian

 

[Nightjar]

Sneakycuttlefish,
If you're in Perth area, have a Tirfor gathering dust after I fitted a winch to my ute.

Cheers

Peter

 

[Davent]

Tirfor is a good choice.
Maybe a hammer drill and 4 big dyna bolts into the rock, and try that. With a dampener of course, and go slow once you have taken the weight.

 

[casper]

I'm looking for a hand winching device to drag some 1-2 tonne rocks out of my way. Anyone know of a good brand that is a bit more serious then the average 4x4 winch? I have done some googleing but haven't found anything outside of the mainstream.

Would a "black snake" (pry bar) and a hardcore block 'n' tackle hoist be okay to run horizontally or is this device strictly a vertical lifter?

a tirfor cable winch or any of the Chinese clones are a good option but I'm left wondering what for you is an average 4X4 winch cos that will influence the advice offered.....

casper

 

[limpalot]

A high lift jack, adaped for the purpose.

 

[Heatho]

I've seen people use a snatch strap and 4x4 in low range, probably not a good idea though....... They might just be very lucky nothing bad happened.......

 

[SneakyCuttlefish]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I have checked out the Tirfor prior to posting. It will do the job quite well for some of the smaller ones (and my 4x4 as well).

The big issue is not the weight of the rocks, its more the force required to get them moving. Considering rigging up a chain net/sling to secure around the rocks. I'm thinking massively over rated shackles for the sling and a lower rated one somewhere in the system as a fail-safe just in case I am reach the breaking weight for the winching device. And, of coarse as ken2m said, some well placed dampeners.

 

[woomera]

More power puller by wyeth scott
Youtube check out
More Power Puller + A Homestead Helper | Wranglerstar

 

[Ridge Runner]

I have a Black Rat Version of the Tirfor and apart from it is painted Black it is Impossible to tell it from a Tirfor Brand, Black Rat are an Aussie Company and they are as good as they get, I also have one of their 4 foot High Lift jacks, But I also have the 4 foot Genuine Hi-Lift and when I bought my Fridge I also bought the 5 foot Extreme Hi-Lift jack I also have a 9500LB short Drum 12 volt Winch.

I would not use a Hi Lift for moving rocks that big because you will break the sheer pins because rocks won't roll to easy and the ground friction might be too much,

john

 

[blisters]

For safety reasons I'd steer away from steel cables and look for a web strap puller so if anything gives it won't fly back at you.
Jon

 

[SneakyCuttlefish]

So I have settled on a 5 tonne chain block. I looked at the 10 tonners but with an average device weight over half my body weight they are miles to big to be carting around the bush. Besides with a proper pully set up I can over-clock the pulling power by quite a way. I'll post some pics up here of my next trip out west.

 

[casper]

More power puller by wyeth scott
Youtube check out
More Power Puller + A Homestead Helper | Wranglerstar

I have the Wyeth Scott more power puller - bloody well made. Cost a motza to get it here though.

casper