I. Purpose & Scope
To safely and effectively provide instruction on the inspection and proper use of pullers.
II. Definitions
Standard PPE – High Viz Garment, Hard Hat, Z-87.1 Safety Glasses, Gloves, Pants, Work Boots
III. Process
NOTE: Work instruction does not supplement the manual. For specific instructions for the exact model please refer to the owner’s manual.
A. Potential Hazards
- Electric Shock Hazard
- Stored Energy/Tension Hazard
- Falling/Drop Hazard
- Moving Parts Hazard
- Flying Debris Hazard
B. PPE
- Standard PPE
C. Inspection
- Inspect the chains and ratchet pawl.
- Inspect the commutator brushes.
D. Use
Setup and Operation
- Fish the rope through the conduit.
- Set up the cable puller mounting. Set it up so that the rope will approach the capstan at an angle of 90 degrees.
NOTE: If using an adapter sheave, flexible pipe adapter, or mobile T-boom. - Install the chain.
- Rotate the vise chain handle to expose most of threads. Leave only three or four threads engaged in the handle.
- Thread the chain through the hole in the frame. Set the positioner against the positioning blocks.
- Wrap the chain around the conduit, pipe sheave adapter, or structural element.
- Pull the vise chain tight and insert the chain pins into the chain pockets, or recesses.
- Turn the handle to slightly tighten the chain.
- Repeat steps for other chain.
- Rotate the vise chain handles, by hand, clockwise to fully tighten the chain. Do not use tools, extensions or “cheaters”.
- Align the rope ramp and route the rope.
NOTE: Use every component of the rope path – the positioning peg, entrapment peg, rope ramp and tapered capstan – as shown to help prevent rope overlap. - Check the ON/OFF switch on the puller to be sure it is OFF. Plug the puller into the receptacle of the standard force gauge. Plug the force gauge into an appropriate power supply.
- Position the force gauge so that it can be monitored by the puller operator.
- Grasp the tailing end of the rope. Apply a slight amount of tailing force.
- Turn the puller ON.
- Tail the rope, allowing the spent rope to accumulate on the floor between the operator and the puller.
NOTE: The capstan arm is intended to pivot. Do not attempt to stop the arm from pivoting. - When the pull is complete, turn the puller OFF. Tie off the rope to the T-shaped cleat and anchor the cable.
E. Maintenance
- Lubricate the drive chains.
- Remove the right outer guard and left outer guard.
- Lubricate the inside of the chains with appropriate gear oil.
- Replace the guards and screws.
- Grease the drive chain shafts.
- Apply a multipurpose NLGI Grade 2 grease at the grease fittings. These fittings are located inside the capstan housing and under the countershaft.