Pocket Ox - pulling gear

[Southeast]

Have any of you looked into the Pocket Ox pulling systems? I'm exploring options for an upcoming DIY Alaska hunt and am intrigued by their setups. They make an 8:1, 1,000 lb system that weighs 16 oz and sells for $250. Their mid-sized unit is a 12:1, 1,500 lb system that weighs 20 oz and costs $350.

I've read lots of threads here and elsewhere, looked into building my own based upon them, and keep coming back to something like this that (supposedly) arrives ready to go. Of course, it would require experimentation and practice at home before the trip.

This would be used to drag a bull partly out of the water. There would be 2 of us to operate it. I'd bring a set of 4 ground anchors like Kevin D. has recommended in numerous forums.

Does anyone with pulling system experience have any thoughts? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would appreciate input.

Shop – Pocket Ox

www.pocketox.com

 

[mooster]

A few years ago I picked up an Ironton rope puller, 6.4 lbs., 2,000 lb. capacity, (come along type device) for about $50 @ Northern Tool. I supplemented it's 20' of rope with three 1/4"x50', 2.1 lbs. of synthetic winch rope that also suffices for other camp uses (tarp sets, for ex.), maybe $25 total. So I've got 8.5 lbs. $75, dedicated to the off chance of a moose dropping in the water.

Cheap insurance in my mind. I think this would enable me to get it back on shore enough to manage butchering. That said, I'm studying some alternate pulley systems that would suffice at much lower weight penalty. 20 oz. would be wonderful, but I think one could build that system for less than they are seeking.

This older post also tons of good info on same topic...

Lightweight Block and Tackle

Harken Micros are 1200lb. breaking, not working load. Important difference...Misquoted, working load of mine is 350, breaking load of 1200. But still plenty high enough working load for a full load of boned out Elk or any deer you get...

www.rokslide.com

 

[Southeast]

A few years ago I picked up an Ironton rope puller, 6.4 lbs., 2,000 lb. capacity, (come along type device) for about $50 @ Northern Tool. I supplemented it's 20' of rope with three 1/4"x50', 2.1 lbs. of synthetic winch rope that also suffices for other camp uses (tarp sets, for ex.), maybe $25 total. So I've got 8.5 lbs. $75, dedicated to the off chance of a moose dropping in the water.

Cheap insurance in my mind. I think this would enable me to get it back on shore enough to manage butchering. That said, I'm studying some alternate pulley systems that would suffice at much lower weight penalty. 20 oz. would be wonderful, but I think one could build that system for less than they are seeking.

This older post also tons of good info on same topic...

Lightweight Block and Tackle

Harken Micros are 1200lb. breaking, not working load. Important difference...Misquoted, working load of mine is 350, breaking load of 1200. But still plenty high enough working load for a full load of boned out Elk or any deer you get...

www.rokslide.com

Weight is definitely a concern for me, both for the bush plane and in the raft as we float. Naturally the price is going to skyrocket quickly when you start counting the weight in ounces rather than pounds.

Thanks for the link. I'll check that out and reconsider building a system myself. It sure is tempting to just grab one off the shelf though, if it is a quality design.

 

[Elkslayer67]

Found a discount code for 10% off “ digit 9 “

 

[Panhandler80]

Bunch of good info here, including diagrams. Just be prepared for your head to hurt a little bit. Mine sure did when the experts started weighing in.

Probably overkill, but... what about this pulley system for drop hunt?

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/harken--40mm-carbo-air-triple-block--200167?recordNum=1 https://www.westmarine.com/buy/harken--40mm-carbo-air-triple-block-with-becket--200183?recordNum=2 9.2 oz for both blocks and 1,455 max working load. A bit pricey, but I can get them a little cheaper than...

www.rokslide.com

 

[Southeast]

Bunch of good info here, including diagrams. Just be prepared for your head to hurt a little bit. Mine sure did when the experts started weighing in.

Probably overkill, but... what about this pulley system for drop hunt?

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/harken--40mm-carbo-air-triple-block--200167?recordNum=1 https://www.westmarine.com/buy/harken--40mm-carbo-air-triple-block-with-becket--200183?recordNum=2 9.2 oz for both blocks and 1,455 max working load. A bit pricey, but I can get them a little cheaper than...

www.rokslide.com

Ha - no kidding! I read that thread a couple days ago. It’s that “head hurting” part that I’m willing to part with some decent cash to avoid! Back in my pre-kids days when I had endless amounts of time to tinker with these kinds of things I would have looked at the process very differently. That’s life, I guess.

 

[Voyageur]

Please keep us updated on what you learn and what you ultimately decide.