What is this steel object?

mrutkaus · Sep 22, 2005

Don't know where else to ask this! What is this thing I found at a yard sale? Heavy piece of probably forged steel as shown. Penny laid on top of it for scale.

Mike

Farmwithjunk · Sep 22, 2005

Probably has a "real name", but I've always called 'em "choker hooks". Made to use on the end of a steel cable (with eye) Used in rigging (cranes) and sometimes found around loggers.

End with bigger mushroomed hook goes through cable eye. Other end serves as hook for other slings, cables, chains, ect....

mrutkaus · Sep 22, 2005

Thanks!

Mike

frederic · Sep 22, 2005

It's a do-hickey!

kennyd · Sep 22, 2005

Yup, Farmer has it nailed! We use them on our polecats at work(Verizon). A polecat is like a crane that is used to set utility poles, it has claws at the top to help steady the pole.

polecatisback · Apr 23, 2006

actually gentlemen a polecat is a digger truck built by pitman...it does have a set of claws/arms on the top of a hydraulicly extended boom that stings in or out from the truck to put the butte of the pole over it's hole ...u tilt it back to move the butte to or away from u...then as yer lowerin it in the hole u tilt the claws down to bring the butte towards u...hit the bottom of the hole ..loosen the claws a dite and plumb it side to side and sting in or outto git it true!!!!great 2 b back but gotta go bros!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif if'n u really wanna say hi !!!call me ...207 899 5955!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif