I've been there, and used several other tricks. Usually I can push myself out with the bucket, or at least use it to work a hole to start maneuvering again. Another trick which I have used on older tractors with no loader was to tie one of a chain to a tree, and the other through the rear rim; you can often get yourself going that way. It's also a good way to flip the tractor over on top of yourself if you aren't careful.
Hydraulic winch
- Thread starter ptsg
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OP
ptsg
Super Member
Here is the video I was talking about. Not sure if you can see it since it's on Facebook but I can upload it to YouTube if there is the need for that.
Raul-02
Veteran Member
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- Tractor
- kioti DK4710 SE HST CAB
Ya know if you were to make plans for these things with the purchased hardware speced you could probably sell 'em for maybe $50 a pop. Maybe more.
OP
ptsg
Super Member
I've thought about it but considering I used stuff I already had, it's hard to make a plan that would include those parts. For instance, I have a bunch of gears came out of a lathe gearbox that someone gave to me and two of them ended up in the winch. The hydraulic motor I bought it along with another like that a bunch of years ago when I built my backhoe.
OP
ptsg
Super Member
Thank you! It's hydraulic, so it runs off the tractor's hydraulic system. I don't have to worry about duty cycles or running the battery low. It weights around 160 lbs, so definitely a plus and goes well with the factory front weights (224 lbs).
That is a great set up and is well done. As someone who loves to do fab work my hats off to you.
For those folks who are looking for a way to get unstuck. My first thought was a chain saw powered winch would be plenty to get you out especially if you use a snatch block. And I'm sure it would, but the problem is they don't seem to be available anywhere right now.
My second thought is why not use a small portable 12V winch you can attach to the tractor with a chain and plug into the tractor's battery using an Anderson connector. My experience is that when I get stuck plowing snow I'm not really in deep do-do, but I'm just not able to get enough traction to get going. My buddy and I use one of the cheap HF 2500 pound winches to pull trees we are cutting, help load trailers, etc. It's less than $100.00 and since you are pulling a rolling load it should work to get you out of most spots and if you need to you can put a snatch block, or two, on it to increase the pull. You also can operate it from the tractor's seat by remote control.
The other advantage to a portable unit is you are not limited to pulling from the front or rear so you can attach the winch in the best position to pull you out of trouble.
For those folks who are looking for a way to get unstuck. My first thought was a chain saw powered winch would be plenty to get you out especially if you use a snatch block. And I'm sure it would, but the problem is they don't seem to be available anywhere right now.
My second thought is why not use a small portable 12V winch you can attach to the tractor with a chain and plug into the tractor's battery using an Anderson connector. My experience is that when I get stuck plowing snow I'm not really in deep do-do, but I'm just not able to get enough traction to get going. My buddy and I use one of the cheap HF 2500 pound winches to pull trees we are cutting, help load trailers, etc. It's less than $100.00 and since you are pulling a rolling load it should work to get you out of most spots and if you need to you can put a snatch block, or two, on it to increase the pull. You also can operate it from the tractor's seat by remote control.
The other advantage to a portable unit is you are not limited to pulling from the front or rear so you can attach the winch in the best position to pull you out of trouble.
It's been 4 years since you built this. Have you needed it much for the purpose you built it for? Are there any made modifications since then, or ideas which you would do differently if you build another?
OP
ptsg
Super Member
Thank you sir!
There several ways of accomplish the same result. For me, it was a not brainer going this router. All in all, I have less than $100 on this winch versus $600+ for a new electric winch. I bought the cable, hook, two hydraulic hoses, two sets of quick disconnects, a couple bolts (of course, I was one bolt short), paint and that's all. Everything else I had on hand, like bearings, motor, gears, steel, etc.
A portable unit is also a great option. Specially one of those gas powered ones. Those things can pull some serious stuff with such a small engine.
OP
ptsg
Super Member
I've owned this tractor for 4 years already? Man, does the time fly!!
That's a great idea on making sort of a review.
I have about 330 hours on the tractor and have used the winch to pull just about everything but the tractor itself out of a stuck spot.
I've pulled:
- Trees
- Stumps
- Fence wire to get it stretched just right
- Non running vehicles, mostly the backhoe when something on the drivetrain breaks
- Broken branches that broke during storms but still get attached to the trees
- Canes, lots of canes. They are an invasive specie here and grow in rows, usually against walls were I can't get close with the mower. So I just wrap a bunch of canes close to the base and pull them out, where I can actually mow. Works awesome for that.
I've pulled a lot more stuff than I'm remembering right now. It's been really handy to have.
Things that I would've changed, not much but some things for sure.
- Increasing the cable diameter from 10 mm to 12 mm, mostly for piece of mind.
- Reducing the length of the cable. I have 165 ft of cable now, which just makes a mess sometimes and I have to respool it every once in a while. I would go for 100 ft maybe.
- Improve the brake system for the free spool since the current one was an afterthought and basically consists on a brake pad pushing against the side of the gear with a bolt to adjust the tension.
- Remake the free spool lever so I would get mechanical advantage on the lever, instead of a straight push/pull.
- Now that I have the loader, I would tie the winch mount a little bit better to the loader frame, which can still happen. Mostly for piece of mind.
- Move the side rollers of the fairlead close together, to avoid the cable to jump to the sides of the spool.
I'm expect to put a lot more use on the tractor and winch, now that I have a building on the remote propriety where I can leave the tractor instead of towing it 45 miles each way everyday. We also inherited a lot more pieces of ground from my grandmother's passing about two years ago, in the village where the propriety is. These pieces of ground are spread all over the village and not concentrated in one spot, which is also part of the reason why over here the tractors are driven on the road a lot.
All in all, I'm very happy with the winch and very glad I built it.
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