Greenlee Tugger & Cable Puller Guide

Greenlee’s current tugger family covers four very different force classes

The G1, G3, G6 and GX10 are not simply small, medium, large and extra-large versions of one machine. G1 is drill-powered and conduit-mounted. G3 is a 120V 2,000-pound-class puller. G6 is a 6,000-pound-class machine with a force indicator and integrated transport architecture. GX10 is a 10,000-pound platform with multiple mount packages and UT10 accessory compatibility.

Greenlee cable puller comparison

G1: the drill-powered branch between hand pulling and a full tugger

The G1 deserves its own decision path because it is fundamentally different from the motorized tuggers. Greenlee publishes a 600-pound constant pull and 1,000-pound peak, #14 through 1/0 cable range, and a universal head for 1/2-inch through 4-inch conduit. The tool uses most 18–20V pistol-grip cordless drills and weighs roughly 14 pounds in Greenlee’s selection guide.

For parts, drill attachment, boom extension and the G1-R11 through G1-R20 replacement families, use the Greenlee G1 Versi-Tugger Guide.

G3: 2,000-pound intermittent capacity with a dedicated rope requirement

Greenlee publishes the G3 at 1,200 pounds continuous and 2,000 pounds intermittent. Its current product page specifies 1/2-inch polyester double-braided rope with a 10,000-pound minimum breaking strength. The published cable application is 4/0 through 1000 kcmil, but that cable-size range does not replace a pull-tension check.

Greenlee also publishes high- and low-speed performance by load, which is useful when productivity matters but should not be used to exceed the duty cycle.

G6: separate continuous, intermittent and momentary limits

The G6 Turbo is often searched simply as a “6,000 lb tugger,” but Greenlee’s current page is more precise: 4,000 pounds continuous, 5,000 pounds intermittent and 6,000 pounds momentary. It also specifies 3/4-inch double-braided composite rope rated at 26,000 pounds.

Greenlee’s safety-notice index includes a G6 Turbo notice dated September 9, 2019. Owners and buyers should review the current manufacturer safety-notice page in addition to the manual, especially when evaluating a used machine.

GX10: 10K peak with a 6,500-pound continuous rating

Greenlee introduced the GX10 as its newer 10,000-pound Tugger platform. The current product pages publish 6,500 pounds continuous and 10,000 pounds peak, a force indicator, multi-purpose footswitch and chain, floor or boom-based packages. Greenlee also states that GX10 is compatible with UT10 mounts, foot pedals and accessories.

The company’s 2025 high-performance pulling rope is a 19/32-inch rope with 40,000-pound average breaking strength and 10,000-pound maximum capacity, making it the cleanest current rope match for the 10K class in Greenlee’s catalog.

6001 and UT10 still matter when you encounter existing equipment

The 6001 Super Tugger and UT10/Ultra Tugger remain relevant because contractors own them, used units circulate and some accessory relationships cross generations. Greenlee currently publishes the 6001 at 4,500 pounds continuous and 6,500 pounds maximum with 3/4-inch double-braided rope rated at 26,000 pounds. UT10 documentation specifies a 7/8-inch double-braided polyester-composite rope with 32,000-pound minimum average breaking strength and a 10,000-pound momentary peak.

Do not assume a legacy mount, foot pedal, capstan accessory or rope specification transfers to G6 or GX10 unless Greenlee explicitly documents it.

Rope and grip capacity are part of the tugger specification

Greenlee’s rope page states the governing rule directly: select rope with a maximum rated capacity that meets or exceeds the tugger’s maximum pulling force. Its grip pages use the same principle for pulling grips. That creates a simple compatibility chain: the tugger’s maximum force establishes the minimum capacity bar for the rope and grip, while the cable diameter and pull setup determine which exact accessory is appropriate.

See Cable Pulling Rope and Cable Pulling Grips before buying accessories for a used or newly acquired Greenlee tugger.

Technical sources used for this guide

• Greenlee — Cable Puller Selection Guide (2025 Utility Catalog) — G1/G3/G6/6001/GX10 comparison, force, speed and rope overview.
• Greenlee — G1 Versi-Tugger — current G1 capacity, drill, conduit and replacement-part data.
• Greenlee — G3 Tugger — current G3 force, speed, cable and rope specifications.
• Greenlee — G6 Turbo — current G6 force and rope specification.
• Greenlee — GX10 Tugger with Floor Mount — current GX10 force, mounting and UT10 compatibility.
• Greenlee — 6001 Super Tugger — 6001 force and 3/4-inch rope requirement.
• Greenlee — UT10-22 Puller — UT10 duty cycle and 7/8-inch rope requirement.
• Greenlee — Pulling Rope — current rope capacities and tugger compatibility.
• Greenlee — Safety Notices — manufacturer safety-notice index including G6 Turbo notice.