Looking for input on buying Farmi or Uniforest winch.

[Deerherd]

I have been looking for a used winch to no avail and have decided to go new. (Trees are coming down already)

I looked at the Farmi JL61 and it seems like a nice winch. Talking with the distributer folks, due to the height of my PTO they recommended that size unit.

They also said even though the next lower unit was rated for a 40-60 hp tractor, it would work fine on my larger tractor on flat ground. (77 PTO HP) But the angle of the PTO shaft could be problematic when winching uphill and since I live on a slope don't want to have problems.

I'm fortunate that both the Farmi and Uniforest Distributers are in driving distance and tomorrow I am looking at the Uniforest at Hud-Son. The model they recommend is the 65H or 65M.

The Farmi is on a boat and should arrive in 4-5 weeks and the Uniforest is in stock.

Spec wise the the Uniforest pulls 14,300 lbs and comes with 220' of 1/2 inch cable, the Farmi pulls 13,488 and comes with 165' of 9/16 inch cable. I do like the longer cable on the Uniforest, both would pull plenty.

Price wise the Uniforest 65M lists for $6995 and the 65H is $8995. The Farmi is the same retail price as the 65H and adding the hydraulics and remote for that one runs another $4200. (Not going to do that!!)

Does anyone have any experience with the Uniforest 65? I know a couple people with Farmi's who really like them and I have read a lot of good about them on here.

Also is getting the hydraulic model and remote (65H) worth the extra cost? Having the ability to walk with the log back to the tractor noting problems seems like it makes sense. When talking to Farmi, they said it was safer to be next to the tractor if the log hung up you would notice before you pulled the tractor over. Anyone with any real life experience using a remote?

I'll post some pictures tomorrow after I visit Uniforest. Thanks in advance!

 

[CalG]

Comments, but only from "shopping".

The Farmi line seems to get the most from the least. That is, the parts count on the entire winch has about the fewest pieces and still provides "all the features".
Simplicity refined to achieve function.

The Fransgard line follows a similar design philosphy, but puts roller bearings at the key points (like the cable drum) The Farmi has replaceable bushings and the Wallenstein has nothing (at least so the comments go)

The Tajfun and the Uniforest have LOT"S of parts. <Lots of features too, like multi band brakes etc.

Perhaps best termed "sophistication". Might be good, might be more to go wrong.

Fortunately, all the dealers are a good hike from here, or I'm sure one or the other would be loading the back wheels now ;-)

I'm no advocate for electronics in the cold or the woods, but it sound like your application is now, and in familiar territory.

Have fun making your selection!

PS

I'm sure the various design features can differ from model to model withing a particular line. Just a heads up to ask questions if that stuff is important to you.
I like to do my own service, so simplicity is it's own reward.

cheers

 

[Grandad4]

I've had a Uniforest for several years now, although it's a smaller one than you're looking at. Well-made, good working unit, so far has been trouble-free. The longer cable is an advantage at my place. We use one of the Farmi self-releasing snatch-blocks that has been very handy for snaking logs through the woods. Have also been considering a logging cone to allow logs to slide by stumps, etc. instead of getting hung up.

For us, those things seem to be more useful than remotes for the winch itself, but every situation is different so you'll need to decide for yourself. What the Farmi folks said is true, though. When you're near the tractor, it's really obvious when a log gets hung up, and you don't need to be walking beside the log to notice. You want to set up your pulls so the winch is pulling as near to straight back from the tractor as possible. It's when you pull to port or starboard that you increase the risk of tipping the tractor.

 

[Deerherd]

Thanks for the replies. Went to Hud-Sons today and looked at the Uniforest. Terrible place to go for an attachment junky as myself. Now I want a firewood processor, portable saw mill and a really neat swivel Uniforest grapple that fits the 3 pt and front Quick attach to start!

The skidding winch looked great. Comparing the 65M and 65H I really liked the H version. The Manual version was nice but the ropes to engage/disengage the clutch looked a little hokey compared to the hydraulic version controls.

The hydraulic version comes with the wired control and a wireless remote. There was a plug in the back of the unit that the hand control plugs into or if you want to use the wireless you plug that in. I took a picture of the wireless box on a unit in the showroom, they hadn't installed them on the outside units yet.

For power there was a 7 prong plug that goes into the back of the tractor, so that was pretty slick. Also there was a chainsaw scabbard on one side and a place to hold an ax/pick on the other. All in all I was pretty impressed and I think a 65H is in my near future!

 

[Gordon Gould]

I am not familiar with the uniforest hydraulic winch. So my comment may well be off base but here goes.
I have been looking at hydraulic winches to put on my small dozer. From my research it seems most (not all) are very very slow. It all depends on the hydraulic flow and pressure you have available from your tractor. My suggestion to you is to make sure you understand exactly how your tractor and winch system will work.

Look up the formula for converting hydraulic flow and pressure to hp. Calculate it for your tractor, you may be surprised. My 75 hp dozer has a 13.5 gal/min flow at 2000 psi. That will only produce 17 hp when driving a hydraulic motor. Not much drive for a winch. No wonder they are geared down so much and are so slow. And I would need to run WOT to get the 17. At half throttle it is only 8.5 hp.

Just make sure you understand so you aren't disappointed. If you have very high flow and good pressure like a skidsteer you might be OK.

Again this warning may not be warrented.

 

[Deerherd]

The hydraulic aspect of the winch only deals with the clutch, it's powered by the PTO.

 

[Gordon Gould]

The hydraulic aspect of the winch only deals with the clutch, it's powered by the PTO.

Oh - Thanks. I did not understand that.

Is the hydraulic clutch full on/off with no feathering?? With a manual clutch you can have just enough clutch pressure to move the log w/o slipping the clutch. That way you go into a snag and stop softly and feel what is happening rather than jamming it to a hard stop and making it harder to free and giving your tractor a sharp tug. Just something to consider.

I have to say that at times a remote would be handy and save a lot of walking especially if you winch with a long line often. When I first started using my winch I didn't really appreciate how important the initial set up was, ( which trees to cut when, which direction to fall them, where to use snatch blocks, the value of a releasing snatch block, etc ). A good set up and some experience in knowing what to look for allows you to avoid troubles that would make you walk back with your peavy and free a stuck log or roll it into a better path. So, I think, after some experience the usefulnes of a remote for those things is far diminished. Still nice to have though. I think I would use it more to improve my view rather than following the log and guiding it with a peavy along the way.

 

[Deerherd]

Gordon thanks for your reply and since this will be my first time owning a skidding winch I really appreciate the help. I don't want to over spend but I also don't want to not get the right winch trying to save a little money either.

I was unaware of the feathering aspect, I was under the impression the clutch was engaged or not. The Salesperson showed me both styles and said he sold more of the manual type over the hydraulic, but mainly based on cost. He also said that he sold the hydraulic units to places where there would be more than one operator, less chance of burning out the clutch.

I pulled the ropes on a manual winch to engage/disengage the clutch, but not on a running unit. I can see how you could feather/slip the clutch but have no idea how abruptly the hydraulic unit engages. The salesperson did mention about "bumping" the control on the hydraulic unit but I wasn't paying too close attention at the time, I was enamored by all the shiny paint! I will talk to him on Monday.

I guess I was thinking that the hydraulic version with hard wired control would be more "user friendly" and the remote was a "bonus feature" that may be nice to have at certain times.

Thanks again for your time.

 

[UpNorth1]

I have been looking for one as well. Don't forget to check out Tajfun, Norse and Fransgard winches:
Fransgard:
Woodhouse Fransgard Winch
Tajfun:
Tajfun Logging Winches
Norse:
Norse Skidding Winch
Norse 3 Point Hitch Winches

 

[Deerherd]

I have been looking for one as well. Don't forget to check out Tajfun, Norse and Fransgard winches:
Fransgard:
Woodhouse Fransgard Winch
Tajfun:
Tajfun Logging Winches
Norse:
Norse Skidding Winch
Norse 3 Point Hitch Winches

Thanks for the links and confusing me further! :laughing:

Part of the problem I'm having is finding people that own these things for advice. The second aspect is other than a importer/distributer nobody carries them in stock. Farmi won't have any in the country in the size I need for 4-5 weeks and there has been an "update" to the new version in that it uses bands. The regional rep said he wasn't sure if he liked this update and I'm so clueless I don't even know what "bands" he's talking about!

I have been unable to find the "Five winch shootout" article where somebody compares Farmi, Uniforest, Fransgard, Tajfun and Norse skidding winches. The pluses and minuses of each and oh yeah, the benefits of hydraulic versus manual winches in the size I want to buy. Can somebody point me to that article?!

And my local "dealers" are more than willing to order up what I want but I know more than they do, which isn't very much. And no, they don 't actually stock anything to gaze at prior to purchase.

I think I'm going with the Uniforest because I have been to the Importer and they seemed like they were knowledgeable, they have them in stock and a full array of parts, should I need them.