Farmi Winch ?

penokee · Sep 21, 2004

Has anyone used a Farmi Winch on their tractor? Have been reading about the Farmi Winches, and it sounds as though it's something that would be real helpful in thinning a Red Pine Platation. Plan to remove random trees rather than take out a complete row. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

penokee

dodgejack · Sep 22, 2004

I have a Farmi 351 P it's a good winch and can haul in as much as my tractor can pull. Check out the Tajun winches I think they have a better brake system. The locking band brake looks to be safer than the ratcheting type on the Farmi. A friend of mine has the Tajun #30 and the brake does work better. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

bczoom · Sep 22, 2004

I'm currently in possession of my dad's Farmi winch but so far, I've only pulled out 50-70 trees with it. So far, I love it. Definitely a lot easier for pulling logs out of areas that are wooded and you can't get your tractor right up to the logs. It'll pull quite a bit out as well. How big is your tractor? These winches can be a little dangerous if your tractor isn't huge. My dad had an experience with this winch on his 27hp CUT where it actually lifted the front end of the tractor about 5' off the ground (with the FEL on!!). Just make sure you're careful with it, especially under heavy load.

Youare · Sep 22, 2004

There are several of us who have winches, some Farmi. I have owned mine for over 25 years, it's on the second tractor now and still going strong. I did have to replace the cable once.

I used it for 22 years on the back of a Ford 8N it now resides on the back of a Kubota L3000DT. The Ford was a little heavier tractor and I could pull a little more weight with that arrangement than I can with the Kubota.

They are a wonderful tool and will do a lot of work but becareful you can do a lot of damage with one too. I would recommend that any one using a 3PH winch on a CUT also have a heavy duty top link bracket or the same reinforcements that a 3PH backhoe attachment would use.

The top link is normally pushed on using the 3PH, a winch and a rear blade used in reverse pulls on the top link. When you lift the front of the tractor off the ground with a winch it is the top link that is pulling the front end up. That is a lot of stress on that one bracket.

A winch is handier than a pocket on a shirt. You will find many uses for it besides it makes a great counter weight if you have a FEL.

Randy

Ledgemere Farm · Sep 22, 2004

i used one to clear out my house lot. It worked GREAT!

Boondox · Sep 22, 2004

Farmi and Fransgaard are very similar. There's one out there that starts with a T (can't remember the name) that has a better cable lock setup, but my Farmi works just fine. We heat with wood, so the winch gets a lot of use every year as we selectively harvest maple. The owner's manual comes with a very good section on how to use the winch safely, so read it.

Pete

penokee · Sep 22, 2004

Thanks for all the comments. I plan to use it with a Kubota L3130 w/723 FEL. I agree that safety has to be first in any operation and appreciate the references to that.

penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Darren · Sep 22, 2004

I have a Farmi 601? that I use with a Kubota L3710. You definitely do not want to try a side pull. As long as you use it properly, the winch is very versatile. I've used in mostly for winching a dump truck up a haul road. I haven't had any problems with the brake. I prefer the ratchet arrangement.