Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch?

   / Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch? #1  

exiled cheesehead

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Hi Everyone,

Should I consider my John Deere 2020 (1968 model; 53 hp; 2WD; no loader) for use with a Farmi JL501? I have been researching this and want to get some opinions before I take the plunge and spend the $5000 for the winch. I want to know what I am getting into before I write the check. If I had unlimited funds, I would buy a newer 4WD tractor and the winch, but it is not going to happen. So, I am trying to get by with what I have and spend the money on the winch, assuming I have enough tractor.

Another question I have about logging winches deals with front end weight. I came across some information on the net that says if one uses a 2WD tractor with a logging winch, one should have approximately 10 pounds of suitcase weights on the front end for every 1 hp (assuming no front end loader). Since I have a 53 hp tractor, this line of thinking says that about 500 lbs (or so) of front end weight is necessary. My question is: What do those of you who have tractor logging winches have for front end weight? Right now I don't have any suitcase weights on the tractor as there is a steel, heavy duty tool box mounted to a removable bracket. So, I would have to buy the suitcase weight holder and the appropriate number of weights if I were to follow the recommendation mentioned above. I currently use a 5 ft bushhog (about 750 pounds) with no problems associated with a light front end. However, when I use my 7 foot 3 pt disk (about 1000 pounds) the tractor can get a little difficult to steer, especially when the gas tank is getting empty.

Thanks for any advice you can give.
 
   / Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch? #2  
The winch its self is going to add a lot of weigh to the rear. Some weight to the front surely would hurt matters. You could start with a couple hundred pounds or so. You should look at how many and how big of a log you will be skidding. If you were to be skidding 42" dia at the stump white pine they you will have a problem with no front weight.
 
   / Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch? #3  
I agree about adding the weight to the front, if it were me I would make a bracket to fit the new 70# weights or see if you can buy the bracket from Deere.

About that tractor, it does not have a parking brake but does have a park position for the tranny, I would ask a good mechanic if this is strong enough for winch operations. I have never had issues with this series but never used them to hold a winch either.



Steve
 
   / Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch? #4  
I have a Farmi 351 and really like it because of its safety and speed. Pulling with the top pulley belays the tractor by driving the dozer blade into the ground, so your transmission lock should be fine. You will need weight on the front for both pulling and skidding. Maximum pull picks up the front of my JD3320 with a loader. I just get a scoop of dirt when more weight is needed. The chain hooks low on the back help balance the tractor for skidding, but without weight on the front it can be difficult to steer. I found out the hard way not to skid from the top pulley.

Steve
 
   / Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch? #5  
I have a Farmi 351 and really like it because of its safety and speed. Pulling with the top pulley belays the tractor by driving the dozer blade into the ground, so your transmission lock should be fine. You will need weight on the front for both pulling and skidding. Maximum pull picks up the front of my JD3320 with a loader. I just get a scoop of dirt when more weight is needed. The chain hooks low on the back help balance the tractor for skidding, but without weight on the front it can be difficult to steer. I found out the hard way not to skid from the top pulley.

Steve

What happened to you skidding with the top sheave?
 
   / Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch? #6  
I have a JL501 and have been very happy with it. I think it's for use with a tractor thats 4000lb+. I would only use it with a large compact (e.g., Grand L-series or 4000 series) or a utility tractor.

Once the winch is lowered to the ground, the winch plate digs into the ground and you barely need a parking brake or front weights to reel in the log. If you can't get purchase with the plate, the winch will drag the tractor. However, if you try to skid a few logs, the front end will get light without a loader or some weights on the front.
 
   / Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch? #7  
Hi Deerlope:

Sorry about the delay. One of my first jobs with the winch was helping a neighbor fall and skid a bunch of small (12"-18" diameter) fir trees. On one load of three small logs I decided to not skid from the lower chain hooks and just take off with the logs attached to the upper pulley. Going around a corner the longer lever of the top pulley lightened the front end enough that the tractor wouldn't turn. I then got cocky and began steering the tractor with the brakes, but as soon as the tractor turned so the pull was partly off to the side the longer lever began pulling the tractor over on its side. I stopped with one rear wheel up in the air. I suspect that this would be dangerous even with a lighter load when steering wouldn't be a problem.

These winches are very safe, but only as safe as the operator. Steve
 
   / Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch? #8  
You would probably be better off with the Farmi JL351P winch. I have owned and operated 3 pt logging winches for a little more than 20 years. The Farmi winches are extremely powerfull and well built. I currently operate a JL601 on a Newholland TD80D. I also use it on my Same Tiger 100. Both tractors have front end loaders and 4 wheel drive. The TD80D weights around 9500 lbs and the Same 100 weights around 12000 lbs as ballasted. This winch will pull both of them around very easily. I would be extremely cautious of putting a JL501 on a tractor that does not have a loader unless it weights around 10000lbs or so. The other thing you have to consider is size of your lift arms. You can easily twist a lift arm if you are pulling at any kind of angle if you are not carefull. I would go to the following web site and look at the Farmi winch catalog/videos: Farmiwinch.com
My uncle has a fransgard and another relative operates a norse that are supposed to have as much pulling capacity as the Farmi but they are so impressed with the Farmi they put their units up for sale. The Farmi pulls from the top, mine is at a little over 69" high, and the overall weight is greater also. I use mine alot for smoothing out trials once I am done skidding because it has the dozer blade built into it. As long as you know your limits, you may pull the load to the tractor from the top sheave. Farmi has this info on their web site. Anyways, the Farmi is top of the line! Period! Also, the HP listed on the web site refers to the pto power. Your limiting factor will be the weight of you tractor and not your pto power. Your JD2020 has around 54 pto which is not too much for the JL351. If you had a loader on your tractor then a JL501 would be a pretty good match. Without the loader I would not do it............
 
   / Can my John Deere 2020 handle a Farmi JL501 Logging Winch? #9  
I am running a 601 off of a Hesston 90 100 DT. I dig the loader edge in, after I set the winch dozer blade firmly in the ground. The tractor, loader, loaded tires combination weighs prox 14,000 pounds. The winch will pull the tractor back if it is not anchored well, even with the tranny brake set hard.

Watch out pulling from the top sheeve if you are not pulling straight back.

I agree with the fellow above my post. I don't think you have enough tractor for the 501.
 
 
 
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