HomeMy WebLinkAbout306.007 - Come-A-Long
TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL
RESCUE EQUIPMENT
306.007 COME-A-LONG
EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007
Current Revision Date: 7/26/19 Next Revision Date: 7/26/24
Author’s Name/Rank: Justin Moore, Captain Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Leslie Oulashian
Management Analyst II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or
Department) members with guidelines for safe operation of the Come-A-Long.
APPLICATION
Contents of this policy apply to all members while operating the Come-A-Long for
maintenance, training, or during emergency operations.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
This section intentionally left blank.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
This section intentionally left blank.
PROCESS
1. General safety precautions:
Always wear appropriate clothing while using the Come-A-Long;
this includes full turnouts, helmet, gloves, and eye protection.
Do not stand in line with the cable while tension is in place due
to a chance of the cable breaking and flying back, causing
injury.
Do not lift or pull more than the rated capacity of the hoist.
Section 306.007
Page 1 of 6
Do not operate with any handle extension (cheater bar).
Do not use the hoist to lift, support, or transport people.
Always attach the hoist to a secure anchor.
Always operate the hoist in a straight line.
2. Operation:
The hoist can be used as a single line (1:1 / 2,000 lbs. force) or as a
double line (2:1 / 4,000 lbs. force). (See Figures 1 and 2.)
Note: Using the hoist as a double line will decrease the length
of cable available, but will significantly increase the
pulling / lifting force.
Figure 1
3. Double line:
To operate the hoist as a double line, attach Hook 1 to the hoist frame.
Then attach Hook 2 to the load. Before use, hook 3 must be attached
to an anchor. (See Figure 2.)
Section 306.007
Page 2 of 6
4. Lifting:
Place the reversing lever in the up position, engaging the loading pawl
against the ratchet teeth. (See Figure 3.) Work the handle as required
to achieve the desired lift or tension. The handle may be inserted into
either end of the U-frame socket enabling the user to work in restricted
areas. Never use a “cheater” bar or handle. Use of a “cheater” bar will
cause the hoist to be pushed beyond its intended capacity, which will
cause damage to the hoist and possible safety hazards for rescuers.
5. Lowering:
Place the reversing lever in the down position and operate the handle
to its extreme down position until the load is removed from the holding
pawl. (See Figure 3.) As the handle is slowly released, the load will
be lowered by one notch. To continue lowering, repeat this operation.
Figure 3
Figure 2
Section 306.007
Page 3 of 6
6. Free-wheeling:
Free-Wheeling is the ability to quickly remove cable from or rewind
cable onto the drum. Before attempting to free-wheel, make certain
the hoist is not loaded. To release the cable for free-wheeling, the
reversing lever must first be in the down position. (See Figure 3.)
Press the free-wheel lever. (See Figure 4.). The cable may now be
stripped from the drum to facilitate more rapid positioning while
attaching to the object to be pulled or lifted. The hoist will not free-
wheel if it has 40 pounds of load/tension or more. Similarly, excess
slack may be quickly and easily rewound on the drum using the free-
wheel.
7. Inspection and maintenance:
Maintenance of the hoist is normally limited to cleaning and lubrication.
The hoist should always be lubricated following each cleaning
operation to replace any lubricants that may have been washed away.
a. Cleaning:
Occasional cleaning of the cable hoist will increase operating
efficiency and decrease wear on friction parts. Clean with
solvent, applying liberally with a brush or cloth. Lubricate the
hoist after cleaning.
Figure 4
Section 306.007
Page 4 of 6
b. Lubrication:
Lubricate the following areas as needed:
i. Ratchet teeth of drum.
ii. Contact points between U-frame and free-wheel lever.
iii. Contact points between pawl and pin.
iv. Rotating points of shafts, with exception of the drum
shaft.
v. Hook shanks.
Note: Do not saturate areas with grease / oil or allow
lubricants to contact cable.
8. Inspection:
The hoist should be inspected weekly during emergency equipment
check. Inspect for:
a. Proper operation of all mechanisms (free-wheel, levers, etc.).
b. Hooks, latches and levers free of defects and damage.
c. Cable free of defects and damage (kinking, crushing, bird-
caging, and un-stranding).
Note: If any defects are found the hoist shall be immediately
placed out of service, tagged with Administrative
Manual Section 106.048, Wired Tag (FD-37) and sent
to the Shop.
INFORMATION
All Department truck companies carry a Come-A-Long. This tool can be used
in numerous applications, including stabilization of vehicles, vehicle
extrication and movement of heavy objects. The information contained in this
document is specific to the Little Mule Come-A-Long.
Section 306.007
Page 5 of 6
1. Specifications:
Diameter of the cable is 9/32 inch. Total weight of the hoist is 16.5 lbs.
2. Parts:
DEFINITIONS
This section intentionally left blank.
CROSS-REFERENCES
Administrative Manual
Section 106.048, Wired Tag (FD-37)
SINGLE LINE 1:1 DOUBLE LINE 2:1
Capacity
(Lbs.)
Lift
(Ft.)
Hook to Hook
(Min.) (In.)
Capacity
(Lbs.)
Lift
(Ft.)
Hook to Hook
(Min.) (In.)
2000 17 20 4000 8-1/2 27
Section 306.007
Page 6 of 6