I am new here and forgive me if this is not the place for this post I also posted this in the fur handling forum as well so you might see it twice.

I am hoping someone will recognize what I'm going to try to describe and be able to tell me what its called or where I can find or how to build one. I was watching youtube videos the other night about a variety of trapping/fur handling related topics. I stumbled across a video of a guy demonstrating a device that was designed to help pull on hides with your foot/body weight instead of pulling with your hands. It basically consisted of a chain that connected to one end of a board approximately 2 feet in length which I suppose could be longer or shorter depending on preference. The other end of the chain passed through a hole in a piece of steel that allowed the chain slack to be pulled through one way but grab and hold when you stepped down on the board. It used a vise grip welded to the chain latch to grab the skin. So basically it allows you to pull the hide using your body weight by stepping on the board and leaving your hands free to use your knife as needed then when you need to pull the hide further you pull the chain up lifting the end of the board the chain is attached to and then stepping back down on the board to pull the hide further. If anyone recognizes what Im trying to describe Id like to pick one up or find instructions on how to build one. It basically does what a skinning machine does but is body weight powered and pulls down on the hide instead of up on the carcass. Might be handy to have when I double on coyotes way back off the road so I can just skin them instead of carrying out the carcasses and all. Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

I haven't seen a legitimate commercial style of these like you are talking but have seen quite a few make shift systems made up that work really well. Best I personally have used and tried is simple bailing twine half hitched to the hide with a loop at the end for my boot to fit and pull down. My uncle did it this way for years. Simple for mobility and light. I would think a device like you are talking might be a little cumbersome but I am not sure. ADC is a guy on here that is the go to for skinning machine and information though. If you search for him and send him a message he is a solid dude. He will likely see this post and respond as well.

It works much like the old half hitched twine/rope trick but it's much more quickly adjustable and having the board to step on looks like it should allow better balance than having one foot in the loop of rope. Basically a quicker ratcheting version of the rope loop.

If you do much trapping eventually you will want a good skinning machine. Save time and money in the long run and get what you need from ADC and an inexpensive electric hoist from Harbor Freight and I predict you will be very happy with it.

I know there was a vendor selling/demoing this at either the NTA or Ohio conventions within the last two years. Just for the life of me I can't remember who.

I'm not very familiar with the style the OP is asking about, but if you think I can be of any help shoot me a PM. Thank you fellas for the kind words.

Finally found it...my research skills have been strongly tested lately. Went through the last few years of vendor lists. It's called the Skinner's Friend. I believe traptags.com sells it.

Wife bought me one. Have not used it as of yet...

Info Can be found here: https://traptags.com/product/skinners-friend/

That would be awesome to carry on the line so you could skinn any animals you caught far from the truck .!!!!!!!!!!!! Or if you were going to be gone on hunting trip and happen to kill a yote or fox away from home

X2!

Thank you!!! It was driving me nuts that I couldn’t find that again after I saw it!! I’m definitely working on building a skinning machine too. I think one of these will just stay in my pickup!