The compact Greenlee G1 Versi-Tugger 1,000 lb. Line Puller is an excellent line pulling tool for jobs of 1,000 lb. or less. When it first came out, most of the crew were surprised by its size. If this tiny puller can do the job, it will be superior to the larger and heavier pullers we typically use. In the end, it's extremely well done, and even has some useful tips!
advantage
- Compact design for one-person operation
- Powered by your own rig
- Pull rope, mule strap or polyline by winching and pulling with the other hand or wrapping the anchor hole on the winch
- Prominent conical winch allows quick unloading of rope/line/tape
- Adjustable boom for pulling up, down or sideways
- Use your own 1" rigid conduit to extend the boom and create a monopod support
shortcoming
- A bit expensive
recommend
For towing jobs that require 1,000 pounds of force or less, look no further than the compact Greenlee Versi-Tugger. But it's not just the size that makes it shine. We like its ability to quickly anchor and spool the line, wrap the mule strap between the winch and the winch wall, and the dramatically tapered winch itself that allows for quick unloading. You can pull thicker ropes by winching the traditional way and pulling with your left hand. Adjustable puller pulleys allow you to pull in any direction. Plus, with your own 1" rigid conduit, you can extend it and even create your own monopod to provide support. The price may seem a bit high, but when you factor in the time savings and convenience over larger tow vehicles, it's a deal!
You're pulling my leg – such a small puller?
We've gotten so used to bigger, bulkier pullers that some crew members think the Greenlee Versi-Tugger 1,000 lb puller case is just part of the tool. No. A fairly small box holds the Makita drill, battery, charger and tug with its gearbox, winch and adjustable boom. The only optional part not included is the 1" rigid guide tube, which you can provide yourself if you want to extend the boom and create a monopod for the tool.
We needed to put the finishing touches on an impressive building at Southeast University, where we also reviewed the Greenlee Adjustable Cable Stripper. The job involved running the wires back to the panels through several long underground lines. When we opened up the Greenlee G1 Versi-Tugger 1000-lb puller for testing, we sucked the mule tape through the duct.
I guess old dogs can learn new tricks
Even before we pulled the trigger for the first time, we noticed some impressive features about the Versi-Tugger — size aside. First, you can use almost any drill you have in your toolbox. The Makita XPH07 hammer drill in our kit was more than adequate. Next, the winch is dramatically tapered to quickly remove rope, tape or rope. Additionally, the puller head pulleys can be adjusted to pull from any direction the wire comes from (downward, upward, and sideways).
The crew was so eager to test the Greenlee 1000 lb Puller, we didn't realize it would teach us some new tricks. Our first few attempts to pull the mule strap resulted in the tape jamming as it slid down the steep conical winch. Something is wrong. When we looked up the instructions (imagine that!), we discovered that you should clamp the mule strap between the winch and the winch wall. To do this, loosen the winch wall knob to create some separation between it and the winch, then insert the mule strap. Then, tighten the knob. After that, we had no more snags and we managed to pull the mule belt. The tape will quickly pass around the capstan.
Using a Greenlee Puller Winch
But that's not the only trick the Greenlee G1 Puller Winch has. You can also secure the spool through the large hole on the winch. Wrapping the mule strap and line like this makes the pulling process much easier.
Of course, the tug also pulls the rope. With the G1 Versi-Tugger, you can operate the rig with your right hand and pull the line through as the winch feeds it in. For jobs 1,000 lbs and under, it doesn't get any easier.
price
You can get the Greenlee Versi-Tugger 1,000-pound puller for $1,175. That's probably the only thing about this great tool that makes you cringe. Southwire offers the only real direct competition in this category with its Maxis Extreme Duty Circuit Puller XD1, priced at $1,569.
the bottom line
The compact Greenlee Versi-Tugger 1,000 lb Puller is an excellent tool for all pulling jobs of 1,000 lbs or less. It wraps around mule straps and wires with ease, and winches rope with ease. The significant taper of the winch also allows for quick unloading of tape, wire or rope. It's also a very versatile tool. You can use almost any drill bit; the adjustable puller pulley pulls up, down, and sideways; you can even extend the boom and use your own 1" rigid conduit to make a monopod. It may seem a bit pricey until you investigate its competitors. It's the cheapest tool of its kind and it gets the job done. At least for smaller jobs, it's time to consider leaving that bulkier towing vehicle on the truck!
Greenlee G1 Versi-Tugger 1000 lb Puller Specifications
- Model: G1
- Cable Size #14 – 1/0
- Capacity 1/2″ – 4″ Conduit
- Load 1,000 lb peak pull
- Rated voltage compatible with most cordless drills up to 20V
- Install the Handheld
- Architectural Aluminum and Steel
- Price: $1,175