captainamerica

That would be really slick. I was going to do something similar by taking the baseplate off the hi-lift, hooking one end of a small ratchet strap to the bottom jack-pole hole, and the other end ~5 feet up the chain in one of the links. That way you could tension the whole system, then hook the loose end of the chain to the jack tongue, release the tension in the strap and jack away. You could leave the ratchet strap hanging (still hooked up) as you jack. Then all you have to do for a re-rig is tighten the ratchet strap, release the chain from the jack tongue, and lower the jack, with the whole setup still in tension. You'd still have to apply the brake because the ratchet strap would only hold the tension to keep the jack off the ground, it isn't rated to hold the vehicle weight. Then you repeat the whole thing. Seems this would take the pain out of using the chain, and really speed things up.

The thing I worry about the chain ratchet strap is the rating. If 10k is the breaking strength, the working load limit is probably 2 or 3k. Although, a lot of people probably don't realize the wire cable sold with a 9000lb winch is only rated to ~2000lb. The breaking stregth of the cable is really just over 9000lb. This might not be such a huge deal with an electric winch, but with a hi-lift you're in basically the worst place possible if something breaks, so it pays to be extra careful.

As far as chain goes, what sizes have people used? I see warn sells a 5/16" grade 70 choker chain for use with a 12,000lb winch, yet the working limit of the chain is only 4,700lb. I was thinking of going 3/8" grade 70 with a WLL of 6,600lb, but it's more expensive. Anyone used the 5/16" chain much for winching?

BTW, I found the 5/16" x 20' tow chain sold on most offroad websites for $40 - $60 + S/H at Home Depot for $32.

99_Runner

Very interesting. Might have to see about picking one of those "power pullers" up soon.

northfacer581

haha.

its an oldy but a goody!

captainamerica

FYI, I found that same 10,000lb ratchet strap for $20 on tarpstop.com. They have a wire end version with the same rating for $13.

http://www.tarpstop.com/CARGO/ratchets.htm

Pretty good prices on chains, too, but shipping is steep on something that heavy.

Also, I checked with the manufacturer of Amsteel Blue, and the minimum bending radius of the rope is 8x the diameter. I was hoping to get away with bending a rope around the 7/8" pin of a D-shackle, not to have the rope slide over the pin, but to half the length of the rope by doing a 180 around the pin and then pull on both ends of the rope from the same point. Guess I'll have to spring for the snatch block if I go this route in order to get the larger turn radius.

bob200587

A 4 ton come along from Harbor Frieght is around 20 bucks, I personally wouldn't feel safe using a hi lift for winching, it kinda worries me.

captainamerica

I'm definitely not knocking your idea, but I've thought about that option, too. I'm guessing you're referring to this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=543

My guess is it fails at 8000lb, and probably not in a safe way. 1/4" 7x19 galvenized steel wire cable has a WLL of only 1400lb, while the high lift WLL is over 4000lb, with a safer failure at 7000lb (shear pin fails, jack supposedly stays put). I'd personally hate to be standing over a wire cable if it broke.

Also, I know you usually get what you pay for, and $30 doesn't pay for much.

Again, not knocking the idea. Just more thoughts on the matter for others who may be researching recovery ideas. I'm sure that there are plenty of people using the come-along who will now put me in my place.

934rnr

Don't knock it until you actually have to use one. I had one of those hand winches save my ass more than once.
However that was before I had a truck that was locked front and rear.