Adding a "bumper" winch

[jaxs]

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

Check out the local recycle yard for something suitable.

 

[WranglerX]

As said before electric winches are not really compatible with tractor electrical system....

Have 10,000 lb winch on Jeep and have very large amp hour AGM battery and 100 amp alternator and winch can suck so much power from system in a few minutes of pulling, even with engine running it will suck battery down so low (around 8 volts) the Computer will fail and engine dies.... Electric winches are pretty much designed for the occasional "recover" and not really for extended usage.

IF you don't want commercial grade logging winch (hydraulic or PTO), think chains, and possibly log arch, skidding sled, if pulling from rear draw bar be sure it is below rear axle height, if you do not have any pulling rings/hooks on front for backup pulling add one to chassis... Not really keen on pulling with FEL....

 

[WranglerX]

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

Use Google Images and look up "log skidding sled" ... Many options...

log skidding sled - Google Search

 

[Mtsoxfan]

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.

Thanks for the tip. I appreciate it.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

As said before electric winches are not really compatible with tractor electrical system....

Have 10,000 lb winch on Jeep and have very large amp hour AGM battery and 100 amp alternator and winch can suck so much power from system in a few minutes of pulling, even with engine running it will suck battery down so low (around 8 volts) the Computer will fail and engine dies.... Electric winches are pretty much designed for the occasional "recover" and not really for extended usage.

IF you don't want commercial grade logging winch (hydraulic or PTO), think chains, and possibly log arch, skidding sled, if pulling from rear draw bar be sure it is below rear axle height, if you do not have any pulling rings/hooks on front for backup pulling add one to chassis... Not really keen on pulling with FEL....

One thing I learned here is to not pull substantial weight with FEL. Thank you. My plan is to go low and on drawbar...

 

[LittleBill21]

I have the HF 12k winch, it pulls about 40 amps no load, a bit over 75 amps. half loaded. I believe run time is like 15 minutes on, 45 minutes off.

that said for light loads it doesn't get very hot, but it is slow for this type of work.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

The bottom of a plastic drum makes a good skidding cone. Cut it with a skill saw and cut a hole in the bottom for chain to pass through.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

The bottom of a plastic drum makes a good skidding cone. Cut it with a skill saw and cut a hole in the bottom for chain to pass through.

Thanks, I just saw that online. I do have a couple od drums, I could sacrifice one...
Most likely I will do that unless I run into a better option. Still early, as the snow is too deep to run tractor now. after this weekend of 50* temps and rain, may be a different story. Realistically, I will wait until snow is all gone, and pray for frezzing temps to harden ground again.

 

[ericm979]

You can extend your chains with one or more cables so you can pull from farther away where hopefully it's less steep. HF winch cables are about as cheap as you can get. You'll need a ferrule and cable clamps to make a loop on the end without the hook. This is what I did before I got a forestry winch.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have the HF 12k winch, it pulls about 40 amps no load, a bit over 75 amps. half loaded. I believe run time is like 15 minutes on, 45 minutes off.

that said for light loads it doesn't get very hot, but it is slow for this type of work.

Better check your manual again, the duty cycle on the HF 12k winch is something like 45 SECONDS pulling and 15 minutes resting...

Pretty poor for trying to log with...

SR