Winch for pulling downed trees

[CalG]

I guess my "good idea" might just be too much thought. Guess I'll just try it like you have described. I need to find someone with compression equipment for the end loops - winch cable extensions are expensive.

this

Really quick wire rope eye-splice.

the tail need not be so long......

 

[schmism]

if your looking at mile marker you might as well consider a hydraulic unit. If you have rear remotes its an easy hookup.

 

[Ken45101]

Personally I am very leery of using a cable attached to a moving tractor. A tractor has a lot of power. If it breaks the cable, the broken cable may fly right at the tractor (and operator) and can be lethal.

I mounted a Harbor Freight 12,000# winch on an old box blade. I put a deep cycle battery there also, with a charging line to the tractor battery (30a breakers in the line). I have their wireless remote so I can stand clear. It works reasonably well. I haven't had any battery issues even though the tractor just runs at idle.

But, a 2ft diameter log? That may be more than you can handle. I've tried something like that. The winch drug the tractor, not the log. Even with the box blade dug in. Well, I know I can use the winch to recover the tractor

 

[mark02tj]

Personally I am very leery of using a cable attached to a moving tractor. A tractor has a lot of power. If it breaks the cable, the broken cable may fly right at the tractor (and operator) and can be lethal.

You could also have a cable break while using a winch. The results would be just as lethal.

I like the idea of the snatch block to pull the logs out. That would be a lot simpler, cheaper and easier to use as you wouldn't have to unspool the winch for each pull nor would you have to worry about how cleanly the line was spooling during the pull. I know that when I was Jeeping that winch cables would get pretty messy on the spool during a long pull.

What about using a synthetic line and a snatch block? The synthetic is stronger, lighter and safer than wire cable. The downside is that you'd have to be careful what it was rubbing on as the synthetic line is more susceptible to abrasion damage. But, if the line does break, it's possible to "weave" the broken ends back together.

Synthetics include brands like Amsteel Blue but (according to a sailing guy on the Jeepforum website) you can get comparable synthetic lines from sailing supply shops. If I remember correctly, you want lines rated for a "main jib" without any elastic properties in them. You can get shorter lengths at a discount as they are often the leftovers from the end of the spool. Check some of the sailing supply websites to see what you can find.

 

[Ken45101]

You could also have a cable break while using a winch. The results would be just as lethal.

No.

When pulling with the tractor, you have to be in the seat and therefore in line with the cable if it snaps.

When using the winch, you can stand off to the side, or behind the tractor, therefore having a shield if the cable snaps. When using the wireless remote, I can stand far away and totally out of range of a cable snapping. BIG difference in safety factor.

Note that commercial logging winches, like Farmi, provide shields for the operator. There is a reason for that.

 

[Deerherd]

This is a very timely thread for me. I need to move lots of trees and was hoping to come up with a less expensive alternative to a Uniforest/Farmi winch. But I think for ease and safety I'm going to bite the bullet and spend the money.

 

[motownbrowne]

Deerherd, as someone who bought a used farmi after hunting for one for about a year, I can tell you that your area of the country has more used ones than anywhere else. The price is typically a little higher out there, people must know what they are, but there's bound to be a deal somewhere.

I paid 900 for mine. Would have liked one size larger, but for the price I wasn't about to complain. Mine was listed as a "tractor winch". Be sure to search for that term, and logging winch, skidding winch, etc.

Good luck. They're worth the $.

 

[s219]

I do a lot of log skidding. If pulling behind the tractor, it's best to rig some sort of skid plate on the 3-pt hitch so that you can elevate the butt of the log off the ground (even a little helps immensely, otherwise the log wants to hang up and will get dirty). I use a simple A-frame skid plate with a chain hook, and then a choker chain around the log. You may also want a second short chain to your drawbar if stability (wheelies) becomes an issue, that way the 3-pt lifts and the draw bar pulls down low. Some people skip the 3-pt lift and strap an old car hood or door to the front butt of the log to act as a ski. I grew up around a lot of old-timers that did this. It works, but I prefer the 3-pt lift myself.

In situations where you can't get in with a tractor, I use a logging rope (5/8" or 3/4") with a pulley block mounted high up in a suitable beefy tree. This forms a high "fairlead" that will simultaneously pull the log towards you and elevate the butt off the ground so that it doesn't drag. Sort of a poor man's yarder. It works exceptionally well. Make sure to use a choker chain or other chain to attach the log and keep your rope up off the ground from dragging. Let the chain take the abuse at the end of the line.

The main goal is to avoid dragging the log on the ground flat. That is asking for trouble, plus it can make the logs very dirty and trash chainsaw chains later on. This is an issue to consider if bucking up the log into rounds with many cuts, or milling the log for lumber with long cuts down the length of the log. In both situations, it gets old real fast when the chain dulls over and over on you, especially when milling where sharpening a chain is not trivial.

Be careful operating the tractor for pulling/skidding with a Wallenstein on the back. I found it was easier to unmount the Wallenstein, do all my rigging/skidding work, and then remount later on. It's a big heavy unwieldy implement to have hanging off the 3-pt when doing other things.

Good luck!

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

I used to skid with grade 70 chains...I had at least 100' all tied together.
I bought a Wallenstein FX65 skidding winch last spring.
Best investment I ever made...170' of cable on the drum and a couple of snatch blocks.
Makes the job much more pleasant and less hard on the body joints from pulling the chains around.
The logs are much cleaner for me to cut than when I was skidding with chains only.Just one end of the log is dragging in the dirt.For me...it's the best piece of equipment for working in the woods I have...after the 4608 of course.
Black :thumbsup:

 

[Deerherd]

Deerherd, as someone who bought a used farmi after hunting for one for about a year, I can tell you that your area of the country has more used ones than anywhere else. The price is typically a little higher out there, people must know what they are, but there's bound to be a deal somewhere.

I paid 900 for mine. Would have liked one size larger, but for the price I wasn't about to complain. Mine was listed as a "tractor winch". Be sure to search for that term, and logging winch, skidding winch, etc.

Good luck. They're worth the $.

I have been looking for used forever and the only ones large enough to work on my tractor were so close to new in price, it wasn't worth it to me. I'm buying new. I'm starting a new thread not to hijack this one so if anybody has any input it would be appreciated.