brush guard design

[wsessions1005]

I spend alot of time in the woods at my hunting camp alone some times I can't get to areas for the fear of getting stuck in the muddy trails. I was thinking a permanently mounted wintch would be nice. There are countless other times I could have used a wintch.

 

[Redbug]

Sessions...

I am in the same boat as you. I really need a winch but just get by with chain, a couple heavy tie down straps, ratchets, and a heavy come-a-long. I have learned to go slow and whenever the front tires feel soft ground, I immediately stop. Paranoia serves a purpose when alone...

 

[CobyRupert]

I spend alot of time in the woods at my hunting camp alone some times I can't get to areas for the fear of getting stuck in the muddy trails. I was thinking a permanently mounted wintch would be nice. There are countless other times I could have used a wintch.

Regarding going places you normally wouldn't: Winches are to 4wd, what 4wd are to 2wd. And you know what they say about 4wd's? They're the best vehicle to have if you need to get stuck REALLY far away from a road. With a winch, you can get stuck even farther!

 

[wsessions1005]

Sessions...

I am in the same boat as you. I really need a winch but just get by with chain, a couple heavy tie down straps, ratchets, and a heavy come-a-long. I have learned to go slow and whenever the front tires feel soft ground, I immediately stop. Paranoia serves a purpose when alone...

Yea that's how I have been getting by with a come-a-long. But I am done with that. I want a wintch mounted on my bumper/brush guard.

 

[ovrszd]

I 4wheel as a hobby. Have ran winches on my Jeeps/Buggys for 15 years. Nothing beats having a winch. It's never caused me to go in too deep. It's always got me out when I ended up deeper than I thought!!!

I posted these pics on another thread about Grill Guards but they should apply here too.

As for the Winch. In my case I could easily add a receiver hitch female end in the middle of my weight rack. Then build a winch mount on a receiver tube. Buy a power plug and add it somewhere handy near the front of the tractor. Slip the Winch into the receiver. Plug in the power. Bingo Winch. When not needed it's easily removeable and out of the way. You could even be innovative and add another receiver somewhere else on the tractor to store the Winch so it's not hanging on the front of the tractor where it might get banged up.

 

[KenB2920]

I 4wheel as a hobby. Have ran winches on my Jeeps/Buggys for 15 years. Nothing beats having a winch. It's never caused me to go in too deep. It's always got me out when I ended up deeper than I thought!!!

I posted these pics on another thread about Grill Guards but they should apply here too.

As for the Winch. In my case I could easily add a receiver hitch female end in the middle of my weight rack. Then build a winch mount on a receiver tube. Buy a power plug and add it somewhere handy near the front of the tractor. Slip the Winch into the receiver. Plug in the power. Bingo Winch. When not needed it's easily removeable and out of the way. You could even be innovative and add another receiver somewhere else on the tractor to store the Winch so it's not hanging on the front of the tractor where it might get banged up.

http://s1222.photobucket.com/user/ovrszd/media/Kubota M9540/DSC07024_zps0f2ddb39.jpg.html

http://s1222.photobucket.com/user/ovrszd/media/Kubota M9540/DSC07027_zps82f39136.jpg.html

http://s1222.photobucket.com/user/ovrszd/media/Kubota M9540/DSC07026_zps2a475378.jpg.html

http://s1222.photobucket.com/user/ovrszd/media/Kubota M9540/DSC07025_zps5c1db6ab.jpg.html

Sweet guard!!! I plan to get a winch at some as well. I agree with mounting it with a hitch so it can be used from the front/rear of tractor or truck. Also this way it can be taken off so its out of the way.

 

[ovrszd]

Sweet guard!!! I plan to get a winch at some as well. I agree with mounting it with a hitch so it can be used from the front/rear of tractor or truck. Also this way it can be taken off so its out of the way.

Yep. If properly done, it could be used in a lot of applications. Just hafta take the time to wire each vehicle. When doing that, don't cut corners. The pulling power of the winch can easily be restricted by running too small wire or using cheap connectors. Go big!!!! Best wire is welder cable. Also, if doing a long, hard pull be cautious about running your battery down. Late model vehicles don't like that!!! They will shut themselves off when the voltage gets low rather than risk burning up the PCM, etc. I've saw that proven in Jeeps several times!!!

 

[jcummins]

Ovrsd .... I did a similar brush guard on the first M7040 I had. I did not have the sides. I've since moved Texas to Illinois, and sold it. Now acquired a second M7040 and was thinking of that again.

It did work pretty good. The downside....it literally killed the light output. Headlights put out near nothing behind that expanded metal. Need a solution to that before I'd do it again.

Thoughts?

 

[KenB2920]

Yep. If properly done, it could be used in a lot of applications. Just hafta take the time to wire each vehicle. When doing that, don't cut corners. The pulling power of the winch can easily be restricted by running too small wire or using cheap connectors. Go big!!!! Best wire is welder cable. Also, if doing a long, hard pull be cautious about running your battery down. Late model vehicles don't like that!!! They will shut themselves off when the voltage gets low rather than risk burning up the PCM, etc. I've saw that proven in Jeeps several times!!!

Well, unfortunately I won't be doing it until hopefully summer of this coming year. Excellent call on the wire. I haven't looked into any winches or set ups yet. I just had a few ideas myself that I hope to work into the application.

 

[KenB2920]

Ovrsd .... I did a similar brush guard on the first M7040 I had. I did not have the sides. I've since moved Texas to Illinois, and sold it. Now acquired a second M7040 and was thinking of that again.

It did work pretty good. The downside....it literally killed the light output. Headlights put out near nothing behind that expanded metal. Need a solution to that before I'd do it again.

Thoughts?

My only thought would be to add other lights