Mule tape and Greenlee veri-tugger

[TwoBlocked]

I am pretty new to underground conduit and tuggers. Used mule tape and the greenlee versi-tugger yesterday:

https://www.electricianshop.com/products/greenlee-g1-versi-tugger-g-series-drill-puller

I was expecting the mule tape to pay back off the capstan but it would jamb in the crack at the small end of the capstan. Sure did like how the mule tape made up the pulling head, though. Was thinking a round rope would work well, but sure don't want to burn through any PVC elbows, especially at a gas well site.

Any thoughts of suggestions?

 

[infinity]

Ive never used one of these small pullers but the principle appears to be the same as the large super tuggers that I have used. In your link there is a customer also bought this item which shows a 1/2" double braided rope. You might need a round rope due to the way it winds on the capstan. Does Greenlee say it works with mule tape?

 

[hbiss]

I was expecting the mule tape to pay back off the capstan but it would jamb in the crack at the small end of the capstan. Sure did like how the mule tape made up the pulling head, though. Was thinking a round rope would work well,

From what I can see it's designed for poly rope not measuring tape.

-Hal

 

[TwoBlocked]

From what I can see it's designed for poly rope not measuring tape.

-Hal

Huh! Got looking at the attached brochure after your reply, Hal. Looks like it is made to just take up the pulling tape or cord, not to spool it off. It would spool off rope, though.

 

[hbiss]

I see what you are saying. Looks like you have to first pull in the poly rope, cut and attach the end to the wire, cable or larger rope. At the other end you attach the end of the rope to the capstan and start your pull. Poly rope and tape come on a reel or in a "dispenser". I have a 5gal bucket of poly rope that I pull the rope out through a hole I drilled in the center of the lid. What you do with the rope or tape that gets wound on the capstan is a good question. I imagine that it explodes into a tangled mess once you remove it. Probably disposable unless they have a container with an arbor in it to drop it down on.

You can use it as a tugger also for up to 1/2 inch rope by wrapping the rope around the capstan a few turns and putting tension on the free end with your hand. But that's not spooling it off.

-Hal

 

[zbang]

You can use it as a tugger also for up to 1/2 inch rope by wrapping the rope around the capstan a few turns and putting tension on the free end with your hand

Seems kind of awkward for that, but it's the correct way to use a capstan.

 

[TwoBlocked]

I've used it for two pulls so far and like it, but still learning some finer points. Like what do you do when you are pulling 90 degrees from the conduit in a tight box, and the cable is too thick to come up over the pulley on the end? I am thinking of tying the head so I can more easily slip off some half hitches and pull from further down the head. The end of the cable would then be free to kinda find its own way out of a box. Rinse and repeat.

I did use a 1" conduit to extend the pole. 10 foot was ungainly, and cut it down to 5 foot. But also the pulley end can flop around in any orientation since there is not a pin to keep it in place. I know, drill some holes ...

 

[hillbilly1]

I’ve used mine quite a few times pulling up to 3/0. It’s difficult to keep tension on the rope even with multiple wraps due to having to hold the tugger with one hand. Haven’t tried it with mule tape. Letting it wrap on the capstan works too, but is a mess to untangle even though the capstan end can be removed.