Bought this to replace the water heater in my attic. It did the job well and is straight forward to operate (see photo).

One weak area is the flat spring that toggles in or out to engage or disengage the pawl that ratchets the hoist up or down. This is bolted one end but simply engages with a slot in the handle. The engagement relies on the spring's extra length and it is not a very positive engagement. You push it one way or the other and when it toggles it either pushed the pawl onto the ratchet for lifting or away from it for lowering.

While getting ready to lower the old heater, I pushed on the spring to toggle it and it wouldn't move. Pressing harder, the spring toggled but disengaged from the slot and wedged in the handle, but out of the retaining slot. It looks like you have to make sure there is no load on the pawl. This was not a safety issue for lowering as there is another pawl to control the lowering and this toggling of the spring simply disengages the "lifting" pawl. If this had happened while preparing to lift, it would have been before the load was suspended. Had the spring slipped while lifting because it had disengaged and had not been noticed, the load would remain suspended and you could still lower the weight. I carefully removed the spring, bent it back to shape and all is fine. I will just have to watch it for any future lifts or pulls.
This hoist is very good value for money and does what it is supposed to do.

I'm a gold miner and use com-alongs almost every day to move large rocks. I also always carry one in my Jeep "just in case" (along with some chain, some cable, etc.). Most small coma-alongs use stamped metal layers riveted together, they jam, hard to get cable out, slip, etc.. The MAASDAM P'wer-Pull (made in USA) uses all solid cast parts, operate smoothly, and easy to pull cable out. I bought my first MAASDAM in 1982 and still use it, along with the other four I have since bought. I broke one once... and unlike cheap "foreign" com-alongs, MAASDAM sells parts to fix them! The MAASDAM might be twice the price... but is honestly at least 4 times better!

Haven't used this item yet, it replaces an identical one. That one lasted over 30 years of all kinds of abuse. the replaceable hooks stretched out, the handle twisted and was repaired and it suffered many indignities such as being left in a creek and laying in mud and sand. It wasn't until my neighbor kid tried to pull out a big Chevy Mud truck (my Kubota 3130 couldn't get it out)that the cable came undone, even that could have been repaired, but it was time. I had pulled an 8N out of a swollen creek (up over a steep bank), a Ford F150 out of springtime field 600' before we could get on top of the ground. This is an irreplaceable tool, you must have one of these to back up your stupid moments and get you out of trouble. It also does the jobs that it was intended for too, those it does without breaking a sweat. MADE IN THE USA and it shows.

Wanted to take out a dozen 60' alder trees that were leaning toward the house or wife's garden. Attached a longer cable 25' up on each tree, used this to apply pressure in the direction I wanted and persuaded them to drop in clear areas 90-180 degrees the other way. DO NOT try this unless you really know what you are doing or have great insurance. Have also used the Masdam to pull my truck out of the mud & sand - takes a few arm pumps, but much cheaper than mounting a power winch on the bumper.
CON: The double ratchet locks must both be held to release & spool out the cable. Usually put a big spring clamp on one latch, hold the other with one hand and pull the cable out with the other hand.

I use come-alongs like Maasdam Pow'R Pull for general farm work like stretching fence and yanking small trees out of the ground on the fly. For general, around the farm/work site chores, the 144S-6 works perfectly well. It has a smooth cranking motion, sturdy cable, and ergonomic design. I would caution you, though, that this is NOT a heavy duty come-along. It's meant for light duty, as its price suggest. Maasdam makes more expensive ones for construction sites and whatnot. Furthermore, the tool itself is dangerous. When working with it you'll spend most of your time around loads that are under pressure. Don't clown around with the tool. That's a good way to lose a finger, or worse. If you take precautions, though, you'll have a fine tool that will do exactly what its manufacturer intended.