Block and tackle or something else?

Zachary Hoyt

Well-known Member
I have these mystery objects that have been hanging on the wall of my building since I bought them at an auction a few years ago for $10 or $20. I bought them thinking that they were a block and tackle but they don't seem to be the more I look at them, since there is no ring on the side opposite the hook. I am starting to wonder if they were something off a machine of some kind. The pulley wheels are 8" in diameter and it looks like they would take a 1/2 or 5/8 rope or cable at a guess. Each one weighs 45 pounds or so. If anyone knows what these are or what I should do with them I would appreciate any advice.
Zach
a102540.jpg
 
maybe you could make yourself a cable lift for a blade in front of the tractor like the old cats had.
 
That looks like a block and tackle to me.

There is a metal loop bent around the right hand bolt on the lower unit. That is where the end of the rope would be fastened. Sorry, but I just can't think of what that is called right now, they are made to prevent wear on the looped end of a rope or cable.
 
If there isn't a pully on the other piece,it can't be a block and tackle. Would have to have at least one pully. Can not tell from the pic..

There would be no need for two pullies on the one if there isn't one on the other.
 
You can also rig that for horizontal pulling which is great for loading dead machinery. I have a set with single pulleys and can rig a single or double line. You can get even more leverage since you have two pulleys.
 
(quoted from post at 20:44:20 02/16/13) I thinking it's called a snatch block.
Yup a snatch block. Use for winching something heavier than your winch is capable of. It will halve the speed and double the force.
 

They are snatch blocks for steel cable - not fiber rope. They can actually be used as a block and tackle by running a cable from a winch around one of the pulleys on the double block, then around the single block, and secure the bitter end of the cable to the thimble on the double block.
You actually have a mis-matched pair, as both of them should be double pulleys to rig it correctly.

[b:f06ee7eb0e]OR[/b:f06ee7eb0e]

Move the thimble and secure the bitter end of the cable to the single pulley, so you can utilize both sides of the double pulley.
It will be fairly easy to figure out just by experimenting a bit.

Myron
 
Those are not Snatch blocks. A snatch has the ability o open
at one end to except the rope or cable use to double up you
pulling power
Walt
 
Rope block and tackle. can I am assuming the top one in the picture has one pulley?
Not a snatch block.
A snatch block has only one pulley and must have a way of opening so that it can be placed on the cable at any point without having to thread the rope or cable thru it.
I'm guessing that's where it gets its name "snatch" block as it can snatch the cable or rope at any point.
 
This is a snatch block.

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</a>
 
Exactly, Walt! I have a couple of HD ones made for steel cable (wire rope) and I use them regularly in the woods when I cut a tree that leans in the wrong direction. By hooking low on another tree located in the direction I want the tree to fall I can pull the tree over and have me and the tractor out of harm's way.
Hooking low also gives the tractor better traction.
 
(quoted from post at 22:12:16 02/16/13) Rope block and tackle. can I am assuming the top one in the picture has one pulley?
Not a snatch block.
A snatch block has only one pulley and must have a way of opening so that it can be placed on the cable at any point without having to thread the rope or cable thru it.
I'm guessing that's where it gets its name "snatch" block as it can snatch the cable or rope at any point.

True. I wasn't looking clearly to see that you would have to unbolt it to run the cable through.
 
[b:b13af7b6db]This is a snatch block![/b:b13af7b6db]

snatchblock_zps8979cade.jpg


Northern Industrial Snatch Block — 3/4-Ton, 4in. Double

Product Details
Rugged construction. Side opening link permits quick, easy insertion of rope or cable without threading
 
It looks like the center pin is removable from the pulleys of the OP's original picture. If that is the case, both of these pulleys can be utilized as snatch blocks.

snatchblock2_zpsf6f5e66b.jpg
 
That is a set of block and takle.
The ring on the side opposite the hook is replaced by the thimble in the bottom picture.
I assume the one at the top of the picture also has 2 pulleys or the thimble would be on that one.

With 2 pulleys each and a thimble on one of they it is set up to be a twofold purchase tackle. This gives a 4 to 1 mechanical advantage.
 
First, these are Blocks, there is no Tackle - (rope or cable); also, these are NOT snatch blocks as some have suggested. Snatch blocks have a hinged side-plate to give you direct access to the sheave. Second, if the blocks weigh 45 pounds each, then they are for CABLE not rope. I have single, double, and triple sheave blocks for 1 inch diameter rope and none of them weighs over 10 pounds. Carefully examine your blocks, there should be a weight rating (maximum weight, or safe working load) stamped on either the side-plate or the strap on each of the blocks.
 
(quoted from post at 03:21:22 02/17/13) First, these are Blocks, there is no Tackle - (rope or cable); also, these are NOT snatch blocks as some have suggested. Snatch blocks have a hinged side-plate to give you direct access to the sheave. Second, if the blocks weigh 45 pounds each, then they are for CABLE not rope. I have single, double, and triple sheave blocks for 1 inch diameter rope and none of them weighs over 10 pounds. Carefully examine your blocks, there should be a weight rating (maximum weight, or safe working load) stamped on either the side-plate or the strap on each of the blocks.

The man is the winner. What's really, really sad is that mechanically inclined people as frequent this forum don't know what they are. Oh, how times have changed. :roll:
 
Let"s get the kinks and knots out. Rope is twisted wire. Cable is electrical wiring. The only rope on a ship is the bell rope, the bolt rope, and another one I can"t remember.
 
Thank you all very much. Each piece has two pulleys on it, I just turned them so both views could be seen in one picture. I am sure they are not snatch blocks since they have two pulleys and do not open easily. I will look for a rating on them.
Zach
 
Some may argue that top one in this picture is not a snatch block, but it is.
It is a little inconvenient as you have to remove the pin and pulley to "snatch" it on to a "cable".
Yes, "cable" also known as wire rope. Cable cars are strung from cables, right?
It is my favorite because of its compact size.
a102633.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 10:13:08 02/17/13) Some may argue that top one in this picture is not a snatch block, but it is.
It is a little inconvenient as you have to remove the pin and pulley to "snatch" it on to a "cable".
Yes, "cable" also known as wire rope. Cable cars are strung from cables, right?
It is my favorite because of its compact size.
a102633.jpg

[b:1a76140489]Yup!!![/b:1a76140489]
.
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The other rope? Why "rope-yarn Sunday" of course. LOL!
I was a seaman on a Destroyer-Leader for a while, sea detail on #6 line aft. It was a 6" wire rope, greasy and black. We always had to be in undress whites when pulling in or out. Large linemen's gloves to protect hands, but hard on the whites if the "rope" ever came in contact. That black junk did not wash out.
 
(quoted from post at 17:01:11 02/16/13) That looks like a block and tackle to me.

There is a metal loop bent around the right hand bolt on the lower unit. That is where the end of the rope would be fastened. Sorry, but I just can't think of what that is called right now, they are made to prevent wear on the looped end of a rope or cable.
A block but no tackle. There would be a pulley(s) in the upper block.
 

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