3 pt Logging Winch Advice

[Deerherd]

That isn't a completely fair rating either. This would only be fair if all brands came with the same size and length of cable.

Cables are sized to the load of the winch and go from 5/16" to 1/2" which is the same for all manufacturers. I have used Farmi, Uniforest and Wallenstein winches and honestly feel they all make a good product. I wouldn't get hung up too much on rated pulls. You buy one sized for your tractor and you will be pleasantly surprised on what it can do. All of them can pull enough weight to get you in trouble, so be careful. Once you own a logging winch you will wonder how you ever did without!

 

[peabody]

Google it. It's darn near the best arrangement I own. You can reach places no tractor could go (across a swamp, into a ravine, into thick brush, and pull out logs to where you can get them with the tractor. Once you've got them, you can hitch them up, lift the butt end and drive to where you want them. The winch, by design makes this and many other parts of moving logs safer.

Ok... understanding.
We have a john deere skidder.
100hp 4x4 and huge winch.
Your basically doing the same thing.
Thank you for clearing that up.

 

[motownbrowne]

Ok... understanding.
We have a john deere skidder.
100hp 4x4 and huge winch.
Your basically doing the same thing.
Thank you for clearing that up.

Yeah, this attachment (which is what i meant to say instead of arrangement) makes a tractor into a miniature skidder. They're popular in the Scandinavian countries, where logging is often done by small property owners using farm tractors during the off season. We'll never be able to keep up with a big Deere skidder like yours, but they're darned handy to have around, and a utility or compact utility tractor can move a lot of wood with one.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Rob, it appears that Wallenstein no longer rates their pulling capacity of their winches by the "full drum" number.

I see that...

The one thing that will change the pulling power that hasn't been mentioned is, the size of the empty drum. (diameter AND width) That could be part of the different readings between all of these winches.

Personally, I like the FX series of Wallenstein winches better than the new series, and knowing what I know now, IF I was in need of a new winch for what "I" do, I'd probably look for an NOS FX model first, as the new series hasn't been out all that long...

I looked at most of the other brands before I bought my winch and I'm glad I bought the winch that I did... Wallenstein build a GREAT well designed winch...

SR

 

[joefromga]

A snatch block is amazing and stronger and safer. Also winch rope as compared to steel cable is amazing stuff. Stronger, doesn't rust, last longer, weighs nothing, won't rip your skin off due to unraveling, and won't cut your head off if it snaps.


14,900 lbs for this one




Check into it. UTV Winch Line | Synthetic Winch Rope | Superline 1/4"

 

[Sawyer Rob]

From what I've seen, on skidding winches, the synthetic rope get's damaged easier in the woods and breaks down with age, do to the sun degrading it.

I've seen several post of guys unhappy with how fast snags and "rubbing" destroys synthetic rope...

Make mine steel pleaseee!

SR

 

[Jim Timber]

Dyneema has a lot of promise. Doesn't kink, has high abrasion resistance, UV stabilized, and you gotta love the lack of weight.

 

[Jim Timber]

They're even making chains out of it now.

 

[newbury]

Google it. It's darn near the best arrangement I own. You can reach places no tractor could go (across a swamp, into a ravine, into thick brush, and pull out logs to where you can get them with the tractor. Once you've got them, you can hitch them up, lift the butt end and drive to where you want them. The winch, by design makes this and many other parts of moving logs safer.

For you who own winches and grapples - Which would you get first if your budget only allowed one?
/edit - sorry grapple on the FEL

 

[Citydude]

For you who own winches and grapples - Which would you get first if your budget only allowed one?

Grapple. My winch came second.