Hydraulic winch on a brush mulching machine?

Gamma · Jun 26, 2007

Just wondering what you brush mulching guys think of putting a hydraulic winch versus an electric one on the back of your machines?

A hydraulic winch just seems like the most logical choice. Am I wrong about this?

jmfox · Jun 27, 2007

Do you have a link to a hydrualic winch?

jmf

kennyd · Jun 27, 2007

Gamma said:
Just wondering what you brush mulching guys think of putting a hydraulic winch versus an electric one on the back of your machines?

A hydraulic winch just seems like the most logical choice. Am I wrong about this?

Well, I am not a "brush mulching guy", and I do not have a brush mulching machine...But if the machine had the hydraulic capacity to add a circuit and a hydraulic winch, then that's what I would do over an electric unit any day!

An electric winch will tax even the best battery and alternator under constant use, whereas a hydraulic unit could run all day long since the machine is running anyway.

kennyd · Jun 27, 2007

jmfox said:
Do you have a link to a hydrualic winch?

jmf

Here is just ONE of many available. Do a google search for "hydraulic winch"

rutwad · Jun 27, 2007

Electric is cheaper and lighter. And if the machine won't run, a hydraulic winch is useless.

Gamma · Jun 27, 2007

rutwad said:
Electric is cheaper and lighter. And if the machine won't run, a hydraulic winch is useless.

Electric may be cheaper and lighter, but they also can overheat, burn out their motors and run batteries dead even with the engine still running. A hydraulic winch will keep running as long as the engine is still running.

The electric vs. hydraulic winch debate is a big one with 4x4 truck guys, but considering that a skidsteer has hydraulic power readily available for powering a winch, I'm thinking that it's the most logical choice.