CMI RopeJack

The CMI RopeJack is a hand-operated rope puller that lets one ground worker put steady, controlled tension on a pull line. Tree crews use it to help direct a lean tree or hold tension on a top while the cut is made.

How crews use a RopeJack

Pulling a tree over by hand or with a simple 3:1 works until the tree is heavy or the lean is wrong. A rope puller lets you build tension a little at a time and hold it, so the faller can make the back cut knowing the line is already loaded. It anchors to a stump or a sling around a stem and takes up the pull line as you work it.

Because it uses the rope you already carry, it is quicker to set up than a cable come-along. CMI also sells a dedicated carry bag, and other pulling options are in our mechanical advantage section.

Setup and limits

Anchor it to something that is stronger than the pull, keep everyone well out of the line of pull and the fall zone, and never stand in the bight of the rope. Read CMI's capacity and rope range on the device and stay inside them.

Pull lines can fail suddenly. Use rope in good condition, inspect the device for wear on the grabbing parts before each job, and make sure the crew knows the plan before the saw starts. Felling with tension lines is skilled work and should only be done by trained crews following ANSI Z133.

After each job, clean sawdust and grit out of the moving parts, check that everything moves freely, and store it in its bag. A rope puller that is maintained works smoothly when the crew is under pressure.