Adding a "bumper" winch

[Mtsoxfan]

Does it make sense to attach a winch to a tractor to help act as a logger? I see HF has a 12k winch on sale and was thinking...
I don't have many logs to move, dozen or so, but they are on a slope I don't care to drive my tractor down. It is steep.

 

[old and tired]

Super slow, too short of a duty cycle and you need way more battery than your alternator can charge - over the years, this has been asked dozen times...

 

[seville009]

With your tractor at the top of the slope, maybe use long straps/chains to tie onto the log. Then back up as far as you can, stabilize the log, re-set the strap/chain and back up again. Just keep doing that until the log is at the top.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Thank you both. I have the chains and straps to do so. I've only got 50 to 100 feet to drag. Would backing up hill be better to help prevent backflip? I'd still be fastening to drawbar.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

My though is to lift the larger logs, 15"+, onto smaller logs to act as rollers to assist.

 

[seville009]

Thank you both. I have the chains and straps to do so. I've only got 50 to 100 feet to drag. Would backing up hill be better to help prevent backflip? I'd still be fastening to drawbar.

yes - backing up is safer/more stable. Put an attachment on your 3 pt to add rear weight. If you hook the strap to the loader (that's what I would do), keep the loader as low as possible when actually dragging.

just go slow and low.....may take longer, but in the end it is safer.

 

[kenmbz]

I just use the winch to pull rounds to my splitter.
They are sooo slow, but a nice backsaver for me.

For moving trunks, drawbar and strap work fine, I need a better skid to put the butt on though....
Using the FEL I would be afraid of twisting it with a large tree, but as long as you can keep the butt from digging in or hitting an obstacle shouldn't be too bad.

 

[jaxs]

Hydraulic powered and pto driven winches are more suitable than 12 v on tractors. In addition to 12 v winch demanding more than most systems can furnish,hydraulic and pto are more powerful and offer multiple speeds. Skid plate or skid arch might be practical for occasional use and alow moving logs with atv and truck.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

If I only had an end piece of an alluminum guard rail...
That would be a great sled imho

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

My brother and I actually log for money. We use a skidder and a tractor. On the tractor we had a hydraulic grapple. Then I added a hydraulic tow truck winch. Then we bought a Farmi.

But in your case, just use chains. Cut a 3 link piece and put a hook on each end. That's the fastest way to take up your slack and get another bite. I pick up chain at pawn shops. Can't have too much chain.