Youare
Platinum Member
It seems that many of you have 3PH winches or are thinking of getting one. I'm sure there is a great deal of experience among those of us who have winches.
Sharing our knowledge may be useful for all especially those who may be new to 3PH winches.
I have a small Farmi winch that has outrigger legs instead of a rear dozer style back. The winch is rated for tractors in the 18-35 hp range. The drum holds 150 feet of 1/2 diameter cable. The cable is really what is known as wire rope, it is not as stiff as cable. Single line pull is around 5,800 pounds.
I used this winch on a Ford 8N for over 20 years, now I use it on my Kubota L3000DT also. One of the biggest differences I noticed in the operation of the winch from one tractor to the other is the engine RPM necessary.
To get the proper PTO speed and power the Kubota's engine RPM are higher than that of the Ford 8N. Not a problem just a difference I noticed.
I learned the hard way that you need to pull in a direct line with the tractor. A few degrees to either side is okay for light pulling, but for heavy stuff line the tractor up with the load. This may take a few extra minutes but it is well worth the time to keep bad things from happening.
I broke one of the lift arms on my 8N pulling too much to the side one day. The winch pivots on one side lifting and twisting the 3PH lift arms. There could be a danger of rolling the tractor over if you got carried away.
Stand off to the side as far as you can when pulling a load. Some times the tractor can move backwards easier than the load will move foward. So make sure you don't position the tractor right on the edge of a drop off,or it may.
Another reason for standing off to the side is so you don't get in the way of what you are pulling or have pulled. There are occasions when what you are pulling comes up against other pieces already pulled up and the end of the log near you comes at your feet and could pinch you between it and the back of the winch.
When the cable gets worn replace it. There is are chance it could break and if that happens while under a hard pull it could literally cut you in half. The little picks on the cable also can give you a nasty cut if you run your hand along the cable, wear gloves.
If the load you are pulling gets stuck on an obstacle be careful, if you try to pull it off by appling more power to the winch. I have pulled over small trees which almost hit me on ocassion doing just that.
If you are working with another person make sure they are way out of the way when you pull a tree or top. My brother and I were getting harvesting tops last year. He was 20 feet from the tree we were pulling when the tip swung around as the butt end hit a rock, it took him right off his feet.
Most of all beware, your winch can and will pull the tractor over backwards if you pull too hard. Use the proper chain or cable chokers, never rope it will snap like a rubber band.
I know there is more, anyone else have some good do's and don'ts?
Randy
Sharing our knowledge may be useful for all especially those who may be new to 3PH winches.
I have a small Farmi winch that has outrigger legs instead of a rear dozer style back. The winch is rated for tractors in the 18-35 hp range. The drum holds 150 feet of 1/2 diameter cable. The cable is really what is known as wire rope, it is not as stiff as cable. Single line pull is around 5,800 pounds.
I used this winch on a Ford 8N for over 20 years, now I use it on my Kubota L3000DT also. One of the biggest differences I noticed in the operation of the winch from one tractor to the other is the engine RPM necessary.
To get the proper PTO speed and power the Kubota's engine RPM are higher than that of the Ford 8N. Not a problem just a difference I noticed.
I learned the hard way that you need to pull in a direct line with the tractor. A few degrees to either side is okay for light pulling, but for heavy stuff line the tractor up with the load. This may take a few extra minutes but it is well worth the time to keep bad things from happening.
I broke one of the lift arms on my 8N pulling too much to the side one day. The winch pivots on one side lifting and twisting the 3PH lift arms. There could be a danger of rolling the tractor over if you got carried away.
Stand off to the side as far as you can when pulling a load. Some times the tractor can move backwards easier than the load will move foward. So make sure you don't position the tractor right on the edge of a drop off,or it may.
Another reason for standing off to the side is so you don't get in the way of what you are pulling or have pulled. There are occasions when what you are pulling comes up against other pieces already pulled up and the end of the log near you comes at your feet and could pinch you between it and the back of the winch.
When the cable gets worn replace it. There is are chance it could break and if that happens while under a hard pull it could literally cut you in half. The little picks on the cable also can give you a nasty cut if you run your hand along the cable, wear gloves.
If the load you are pulling gets stuck on an obstacle be careful, if you try to pull it off by appling more power to the winch. I have pulled over small trees which almost hit me on ocassion doing just that.
If you are working with another person make sure they are way out of the way when you pull a tree or top. My brother and I were getting harvesting tops last year. He was 20 feet from the tree we were pulling when the tip swung around as the butt end hit a rock, it took him right off his feet.
Most of all beware, your winch can and will pull the tractor over backwards if you pull too hard. Use the proper chain or cable chokers, never rope it will snap like a rubber band.
I know there is more, anyone else have some good do's and don'ts?
Randy
