Hydraulic Winch, anyone running one

[Sawyer Rob]

Dang! Yet another accessory/implement/project! Hydraulic winch sounds like a very good thing to have. Good point about an 8,000 lb pull winch on a 3,000 or less lb tractor. Unless you have a real solid deadman, anywhere near an 8,000 lb load is just going to pull the tractor instead of moving the load so maybe a lower capacity winch is worth considering.

Keep in mind, a pto skidding has a blade on it, that anchors itself in the ground, on hard pulls. The winch isn't pulling on the tractor.

There's no reason something like that can't be build into the winch mount, IF you want to put the winch on the 3 point and then you can pull a LOT more than 3,000 pounds once it's anchored.

SR

 

[Rustyiron]

:thumbsup: SR, or one mounted on a box blade would be a good fit and handy.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The biggest problem I have with that, is it puts all the weight so far back...

That really cuts down on what the 3 point will lift and also it's hard on the 3 point cylinders, with a bouncing load so far back, while pulling a log back to the landing...

SR

 

[Ehanson]

The mile marker can be had for under 900 and I already have some quick connects I can throw on it so long as threads match up. Surplus center lines will run me $40 for both, already have an open spool on my rear remote.

I知 thinking this route might be pretty good, just need to think about mounting options, maybe adapt a middle buster so I can push it in the ground when pulling a big log, takes the strain away from the tractor and onto the implement.

With a winch mounted on the 3 point, you could build a backwards tilted spud that would
drive itself into the ground the more you pulled your tractor backwards.

 

[Jack Murdock]

I bought one from Norwood modified it a little valves / etc hydraulic top link and I love it. I've skidded 20-25 cord with it and its safer for me and my little JD790 because the property is hilly and the tractor isn't that heavy. I had a cable winch before that but it was used and beat and seemed to break every time I used it.

 

[VroomVroom]

jack Murdock,
Not too familiar with the different model tractors, but noticed yours is about 30hp. You say you had a winch before that gave you trouble? was it a homemade job or pto logging winch? Just interested as I think I will eventually get one, thought about it for years and was just wondering the trouble you might of had with one. And that your tractor was similar in size as mine. How do you normally skid your wood out? Thanks.

 

[Whitbread]

I have a mile marker 10.5k hydro winch on my vw diesel swapped ranger. Yes, the line speed in low is slow. However, the speed is a function of flow. An automotive power steering pump and the mile marker integrated solenoid valve block on the winch just don't flow that much plain and simple (3.5gpm peak).

Now if this winch was installed on a tractor using larger remote solenoids/valves, 1/2" lines, and being fed ~8-10gpm, you could easily get 20+fpm in low gear and stupid fast in high gear.

Over in the UK, they do off road winch challenges and the mile markers are routinely run on clutched hydro pumps with dedicated remote valves. Line speed in high gear is touted as over 100fpm.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a mile marker 10.5k hydro winch on my vw diesel swapped ranger. Yes, the line speed in low is slow. However, the speed is a function of flow. An automotive power steering pump and the mile marker integrated solenoid valve block on the winch just don't flow that much plain and simple (3.5gpm peak).

Now if this winch was installed on a tractor using larger remote solenoids/valves, 1/2" lines, and being fed ~8-10gpm, you could easily get 20+fpm in low gear and stupid fast in high gear.

Over in the UK, they do off road winch challenges and the mile markers are routinely run on clutched hydro pumps with dedicated remote valves. Line speed in high gear is touted as over 100fpm.

I'm not sure what you mean by stupid fast, but for comparison my 3pth winch speed is 3 feet per second. That would make quite a difference inproduction when you are working it all day.

 

[MossRoad]

That's not a winch.... this is a winch....

 

[Whitbread]

I'm not sure what you mean by stupid fast, but for comparison my 3pth winch speed is 3 feet per second. That would make quite a difference inproduction when you are working it all day.

The mile marker winches are two speed, so if you get ~20fpm in low, you'll get around 100fpm in high. That's more than fast enough for a home owner/non professional. Your 180fpm I would say is in danger territory for the non professional. Things can go sideways really quick at the speed if you're not used to it and careful.

 

[Jstpssng]

The mile marker winches are two speed, so if you get ~20fpm in low, you'll get around 100fpm in high. That's more than fast enough for a home owner/non professional. Your 180fpm I would say is in danger territory for the non professional. Things can go sideways really quick at the speed if you're not used to it and careful.

That's a typical logging winch speed at 540 rpm. Remember that we are pulling logs, not recovering vehicles. It's also the spec speed at half spool, with 115 feet of 3/8 inch cable out; it is faster as the tree is pulled in.
Admittedly though it's a rare occasion that I ever operate at the recommended PTO rpms.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You get use to the speed VERY fast, and with a pto winch, you can regulate clutch engagement very easily with the rope that engages the winch....you can let it slip a bit, if needed.

SR

 

[Jack Murdock]

jack Murdock,
Not too familiar with the different model tractors, but noticed yours is about 30hp. You say you had a winch before that gave you trouble? was it a homemade job or pto logging winch? Just interested as I think I will eventually get one, thought about it for years and was just wondering the trouble you might of had with one. And that your tractor was similar in size as mine. How do you normally skid your wood out? Thanks.

PTO logging style and the issue was mine, the hitch I pulled weighed more than the tractor and the terrain was steep. I sold it on CL and bought the Norwood so A I dont have to get as close B I cannot haul as much C Hence its safer. Works pretty well. I have open center valves and around 7-8 GPM so it pulls fast enough for me and is very easy to take on off vs. the 3 PT PTO style but it is slower but that is OK because I am as well. As yes I skid my wood out to the landing and buck up there.

 

[Jstpssng]

You get use to the speed VERY fast, and with a pto winch, you can regulate clutch engagement very easily with the rope that engages the winch....you can let it slip a bit, if needed.

SR

You also can control the speed by with the engine RPMs. If I feel the log may snub up I run just above an idle. Once the tree's clear of obstacles I boost it up to about 2000 rpm's.

PTO logging style and the issue was mine, the hitch I pulled weighed more than the tractor and the terrain was steep. I sold it on CL and bought the Norwood so A I dont have to get as close B I cannot haul as much C Hence its safer. Works pretty well. I have open center valves and around 7-8 GPM so it pulls fast enough for me and is very easy to take on off vs. the 3 PT PTO style but it is slower but that is OK because I am as well. As yes I skid my wood out to the landing and buck up there.

Safety is a function of the operator. I have 230 feet of cable and sometimes use it all; I don't see how it gets any better than that.
You have found what works for you, yet also keep in mind the OP's needs.