When using a come along, what is it primarily designed for?

A come along, also known as a hand winch or a lever hoist, is primarily designed for pulling loads horizontally. It utilizes a ratcheting mechanism to generate significant pulling force, making it effective for moving heavy objects along a straight line. This tool is particularly useful in rescue scenarios, construction, and towing applications where horizontal movement of loads is required, such as pulling a disabled vehicle into a more accessible position or securing items that need to be moved on a flat plane.

While securing objects in place, lifting loads vertically, and cutting through materials are important tasks in various applications, they are not the primary function of a come along. Instead, this tool excels at achieving substantial pulling power in a controlled manner, ensuring that it can manage the horizontal movement of loads safely and effectively.