Maxed out / weight?

[First one]

I have to ask before I break something. Hooked up one tree that was large today to the winch , and the 3-point wouldn't lift the winch off the ground more then a inch or two. One of the other guys told me to drop the tree , lift the winch up ,then pull the tree up to the winch and lock it. It's a JD 2040 tractor , tree length( spruce)35-40ft with limbs .I didn't want to push it ,but the other guy has done this typ of work more than I. The tree and the winch stayed up this time , and had no problem puling it out ,but it just seemed to me to be to much weight for it.
I don't want to damage the old gail ,so what do you think?
Is this just an old loggers trick to haul out more or was he just trying to get out of limbing?

 

[beenthere]

Sounds like an hydraulic issue. Seems that tractor should lift that log with winch with relative ease.

We like pics.

 

[art]

I'd say that the pump might be showing it's age!

 

[20 20]

No matter what others think, it is YOUR tractor and if it breaks it is YOUR money to fix it. The operator needs to work within their bounds, and comfortablity. I have seen operators do some crazy stuff that others would not even attempt with the same machine. It's better to work smarter not harder. Do what you feel is safe, chances are you'll learn some new tricks along the way.

 

[GE222]

I tend to agree with 20 20. No one knows a machine like you do. I'm sure you are like most of us in that money doesn't grow on trees. Tractors cost money to fix. Take your time, don't push your machine beyond what you are comfortable with.

 

[farmall 560]

If you pulled it out ok and the front end stayed on the ground imo it wasn't to much weight

 

[First one]

Thanks for all your replies.
I thought that if the 3-point wouldn't lift it ,it might have been at it's weight limit .
So if you do exceed the weight of your 3-point, what kind of damage are you looking at? This is not my tractor ,it's the only one we use at work in the woods.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for all your replies.
I thought that if the 3-point wouldn't lift it ,it might have been at it's weight limit .
So if you do exceed the weight of your 3-point, what kind of damage are you looking at? This is not my tractor ,it's the only one we use at work in the woods.

I would for sure be asking the owner of the tractor, what he thinks it should pull. If he/she says go ahead..then and only then would I push it.

Didn't say what you have on the front for weight. FEL? suitcase weights? how much?

I pull out 30-35' white spruce trees with my Buck 500 cc ATV. Not sure what your trees look like, but some pics sure would be helpful to answer your question.

 

[pat32rf]

Its my understanding that there is a relief valve on my 3pt that will limit its lift, don't know for sure though.
What kind of winch are we talking, a Farmi or an electric? If the latter I would be hesitant about dragging heavy logs on the cable as the gears won't stand up to the shock loads you could encounter...Been there, repaired them