Profile: Porter-Ferguson, Division Lowell, Inc. is a innovator in the field of ratchet technology. We offer a wide array of standard and custom designed tools for industrial, utility and military applications. We also manufacture and supply the finest professional pruners and loppers for the tree care industry. The key elements in all ratchet designs are the toothed wheel and pawl. Ratchets have one or more pawls that are usually spring-loaded to ensure positive contact with the wheel teeth.