Two Polywater tools take the guesswork out of a pull: Pull-Planner for tension and sidewall pressure, and a calculator for how much lubricant to bring.

Pull-Planner

Polywater's Pull-Planner is a web-based application that helps engineers and installers plan cable installation into conduit. Per Polywater, you enter:

• Conduit size and material
• Cable outside diameter and weight per foot
• Number of cables and jacket material
• Back tension and route data
• Pull method and lubricant type, or no lubricant

It then shows:

• Pulling tension and sidewall pressure
• Areas along the pull path that could jam
• The best pull direction for lower tension and sidewall pressure
• A lubricant comparison showing the effect on ending tension and sidewall pressure
• One exportable pull plan that includes cable and lubricant spec sheets

You can also enter field-recorded ending tensions for a back-calculation, which helps with future pulls. Polywater states that the software includes the world's largest coefficient of friction database, covering multiple cable jacket and conduit types. Its example shows a coefficient of friction of 0.28 with no lubricant and 0.12 with lubricant.

For details and support, contact Polywater at support@polywater.com. See also our earlier post on Pull-Planner 4.0.

Lubricant Quantity Calculator

Polywater's lubricant quantity calculator estimates how much Polywater lubricant a pull needs. You enter:

• Cumulative bends in the pull: 180° or less, 181° to 360°, or over 360°
• Conduit condition: good, or fair or poor
• Conduit or duct inner diameter, from 3/4 in (19 mm) to 12 in (304 mm)
• Pull length
• Units: inches, feet and gallons, or millimeters, meters and liters

Then Pick the Lubricant and the Pump

See which Polywater lubricant to use (J, PJ, LZ, NN and more), the winter grades, and the LP-D5 drill-powered pump. Polywater recommends lubricating any cable that will be re-pulled, any pull longer than 15 feet, and any pull with more than 90 degrees of total bend.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planning a Cable Pull

What does Pull-Planner calculate?

Pulling tension and sidewall pressure, with areas along the path that could jam, the best pull direction, and a comparison of lubricants.

What does the lubricant quantity calculator ask for?

Cumulative bends, conduit condition, conduit inner diameter and pull length.

Does Pull-Planner cover lubricant choice?

Yes. You can enter the lubricant type, or none, and it compares the effect of lubricants on ending tension and sidewall pressure.

When should a cable be lubricated?

Polywater recommends lubricating any cable that will be re-pulled, any pull longer than 15 feet, and any pull with more than 90 degrees of total bend.

Where to Buy Polywater Lubricants

Powertech Associates supplies Polywater cable pulling lubricants and the LP-D5 pump. Shop Polywater lubricants online or get the LP-D5 lubricant pump. To confirm the right lubricant for your pull, contact Powertech Associates.

Last updated: November 2026.