New Farmi skidding winch

[Citydude]

After lots of research and phone calls, I ordered a new Jl 351. It should arrive here on Monday. Is there a certain angle it should be when setting on the ground as in pitched back somewhat? It doesn't say in the operators manual. Also, when attaching the top link to the tractor, which point should I use? Top, middle or lower?

 

[motownbrowne]

Congratulations! You'll love that thing. I'm grateful for mine every time I use it. I definitely tip mine toward the tractor. I can't say that this is the only right way to do it, but it's what I do. I figure if the top is leaning toward the tractor, more of the pulling force is transferred to the blade, or in my case, legs. Also, I put the top link in the middle hole on the tractor. I've heard of buying a beefed up support for that connection (normally used to mount the backhoe), which you might want to look into.

 

[Citydude]

Congratulations! You'll love that thing. I'm grateful for mine every time I use it. I definitely tip mine toward the tractor. I can't say that this is the only right way to do it, but it's what I do. I figure if the top is leaning toward the tractor, more of the pulling force is transferred to the blade, or in my case, legs. Also, I put the top link in the middle hole on the tractor. I've heard of buying a beefed up support for that connection (normally used to mount the backhoe), which you might want to look into.

Thanks! Leaning toward the tractor makes perfect sense as I'm a little worried about the top link attachment to the tractor. The last thing I want to do is rip a hole in the rear differential case.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I keep mine vertical or tip it back a little even. If you look at the blade and bottom frame you will see if you tip it forward toward the tractor it brings the front part of the frame closer to the ground so the blade can't dig in as far or can even be lifted. If you tip it back a little the blade has a more aggressive digging angle and the frame does not hit the ground so soon.

Also the top link connection is quite high so there is a lot of forward roll as you lift the winch. Starting out with it vertical or tipped back a little will make it roll forward less when it is up. I also use the top hole for the top link for the same reason - to get less roll when it is up. If it rolls forward to much the weight of the logs get cantilevered against the blade edge as the chain tightens and actually tries to pick the far end of the log off the ground. You want the logs hanging and hitting against the large flat part of the blade so they can move around a little not jammed up hard against the blade where if they move something will bend or break.

You will not rip out your top link if you always make sure you pull at a fairly straight angle. Your tractor will move before that happens. The way you rip out the top link is pulling from the side so the 3ph rotates and twists around sideways and destroys itself.

Go slow and be careful. You will learn a lot before you are done. The winch is capable of brute force but usually it is safer, faster, and easier if you set things up to use the least amount of force.

Enjoy your new winch !!!!!!



gg

 

[Citydude]

I keep mine vertical or tip it back a little even. If you look at the blade and bottom frame you will see if you tip it forward toward the tractor it brings the front part of the frame closer to the ground so the blade can't dig in as far or can even be lifted. If you tip it back a little the blade has a more aggressive digging angle and the frame does not hit the ground so soon. Also the top link connection is quite high so there is a lot of forward roll as you lift the winch. Starting out with it vertical or tipped back a little will make it roll forward less when it is up. I also use the top hole for the top link for the same reason - to get less roll when it is up. If it rolls forward to much the weight of the logs get cantilevered against the blade edge as the chain tightens and actually tries to pick the far end of the log off the ground. You want the logs hanging and hitting against the large flat part of the blade so they can move around a little not jammed up hard against the blade where if they move something will bend or break. You will not rip out your top link if you always make sure you pull at a fairly straight angle. Your tractor will move before that happens. The way you rip out the top link is pulling from the side so the 3ph rotates and twists around sideways and destroys itself. Go slow and be careful. You will learn a lot before you are done. The winch is capable of brute force but usually it is safer, faster, and easier if you set things up to use the least amount of force. Enjoy your new winch !!!!!! <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/446451-new-farmi-skidding-winch-peaveybrackets3-jpg"/> gg

Thank you Gordan, I appreciate you taking the time. Great advice!

 

[motownbrowne]

That's interesting, I've never been around one with a blade, so I'd never noticed how the very bottom turns out like that, and how the frame would prevent it from digging in. I was also going to add that, like Gordon says, if you're pulling in a straight line, your tractor should get pulled around before the casting breaks. Of course, there are variables ie: namely tire type, weight of your machine (like if your loader is full of gravel and your tires are loaded), etc. But even with good traction, hopefully you'll slide before anything goes wrong.

 

[Rustyiron]

After lots of research and phone calls, I ordered a new Jl 351. It should arrive here on Monday. Is there a certain angle it should be when setting on the ground as in pitched back somewhat? It doesn't say in the operators manual. Also, when attaching the top link to the tractor, which point should I use? Top, middle or lower?

Enjoy!! Take pics!! Show us & congrats!!

 

[TractorGuy]

Never heard of one so I looked on the tube to see what you were talking about. Pretty cool tool!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJJnLIf5Ps

 

[Gordon Gould]

That's a good video. Here are two more I made a couple weeks ago. The first takes the top half of a big pine to the road at 90 degrees.

https://youtu.be/ngVn6hVp5AU Big Pine Top 1

At the road the first log is cut off and winched to the tractor. The second video shows the second log being winched across the road and turned to the tractor using a self release snatch block.

https://youtu.be/FolkTDUZvi4 Big Pine Top 2

gg

 

[Sawyer Rob]

With all the room you had for skidding those, I'm surprised you didn't just back down that road and skid them both "straight" out, together??

I hate having to take the time to set up a snatch block, so I only do it when I ABSOLUTELY have to! Like when I was taking these big red oaks up out of a ravine,

It was some pretty tough pulling to get them up and out,

Most were 17', but a few were 34' long...

SR