log skidder for Ford 1920 and/or TC40DA

[Danica]

Yesterday, my stupid boyfriend convinced me to get in my tractor and pull on a series of chains attached pretty high up on a dead tree that was leaning towards the power lines. I wanted to wait and put in a snatch block or pulley to give myself a little angle so it wasn't going to come down right on me. Well guess what? He prevailed and i got hit by a pretty big branch on the shoulder and hand. I am bruised and pissed.

So now the question: is Farmi a better skidding winch than Wallenstein? I have read the former are bombproof while the Wallensteins are good but not in the same league. Aside from the comments about how stupid it was to pull a tree down on myself, what do you think about these skidders? And for the record, my family in the south are tough pulp-wooders so i know all about logging safety and don't know why i cut corners but i did and am luck to be alive.

Danica

 

[Rustyiron]

Yesterday, my stupid boyfriend convinced me to get in my tractor and pull on a series of chains attached pretty high up on a dead tree that was leaning towards the power lines.

Danica

Time for a new boyfriend:laughing:

I'm not speaking from personal experience, but a winch is a pretty basic machine and I would not fret too much over the label but rather see good dealer support. But then there are a TON of old Farmi's out there still workin.

 

[NHbotanut]

I have the Farmi & love it. The Wallensteins are good as is Norse and other major brands. They are very basic which is why they are bombproof. If you can afford it get he winch. You will find other uses for it besides pulling trees.

 

[CobyRupert]

I have the Wallenstein. No complaints.
Get one with a protective cage.

 

[PatMcD]

Fransgard, Farmi, Wallenstein, etc.. I think it's hard to buy a bad one.

I went with Tajfun and am very happy.

 

[Daves3032E]

I have a Wallenstein FX65 on my little/light 3032e. I use my winch to pull over trees that are leaning the wrong way a fair amount - one guy at the tree and one on the tractor. Being that the blade on the winch helps anchor the tractor so I can pull more than my tractor could pull if it were to only use the wheels. The ~150 ft of cable really helps out to get me out of harms way (have a snatch block just in case though). My absolute favorite feature though is that if I'm pulling a tree that happens to not cooperate, and will want to pull the tractor backwards, I can just let go of the rope and let it free wheel. I picture bad things happening with chains.

Like others have said, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the brands, and I just bought the Wallenstein because that was the easiest for me to get at the time.

 

[Jim Timber]

I recently got a new FX85, and the only complaint other than it lacking storage is that the clutch wasn't set tight enough from the factory. I can't even put a load on my idling tractor (the 5065e) while the clutch sits there smelling hot and the logs aren't moving.

I'm sure this will be easily rectified when I go back up with my bigger allen wrenches, but it was annoying yesterday in the field.

 

[Danica]

That’s interesting cuz I’ve never adjusted the clutch and it is *possible* that it is too loose which gave me much less pulling capacity. Will check manual on proper adjustment procedure.

 

[arrow]

So you use your tractor for wood skidding on a regular basis?
If not and for the occasional use, I personally think a capstan winch may be more handy.

 

[ruffdog]

I helped the neighbor drop and cut up a VERY large black walnut several years ago. He also had two very impatient friends helping and neither of them ever watched what other people were doing. I quietly removed myself and my equipment from the danger zone until it was safe. It was a wonder nobody was killed that day.

 

[deezler]

Sorry Danica, that sucks. Definitely lucky you weren't hurt worse.

I am a bit confused why you need a logging winch due to this situation though? Do you otherwise need one for logging?

Kinda seems like you just need a long rope.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

I helped the neighbor drop and cut up a VERY large black walnut several years ago. He also had two very impatient friends helping and neither of them ever watched what other people were doing.
+ + + +
I have also seen this a couple times.. A couple of them were "weekend woodsmen" who only come to there cabin in the bush 2-3 weekends a year.. Just because they own a chain saw or other equipment, doesn't mean they know beans about using it.. Let alone using it safely.. With that they only have from Friday night until Sunday afternoon to get all the things done they have in mind.. So that is how the plan things..

I would love, love to have a winch with a capstan spool.. I have an expired roofers safety rope that must be 75 meters long.. It works well for incremental skidding of timber through the woods to a landing for processing.. If I were to skid long lengths of timber with the tractor, I would use the arch from my post hole digger, and top link to raise the log end.. Then use another chain to pull the timber from the fixed draw bar..

 

[RickB]

Farmi is the one you want.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Farmi is the one you want.

I'm not so sure about that, my Wallenstein skidding winch has been one of my best buys, and totally reliable!

I looked at Farmi's, I can't see where they are better...

SR

 

[RickB]

I wouldn't expect everyone to come to the same conclusion.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I wouldn't expect everyone to come to the same conclusion.

I'd love to hear the first hand knowledge you have, that made you come to that conclusion...

Do you have any to share??

SR

 

[Smokeydog]

Felling trees around live power lines is never a good idea. Even professionals with insulated boom trucks kill the power. Traded a smart logging grapple with winch to take out 13 large trees, some close to 13.8kv power lines. Tree crew called the utility to have them kill the power just in case. Drop the 240v line to the house. Just took a few minutes till the trees were down and no charge. Don’t know if they would do the same for home owner. I’m sure case by case.

Sorry you got hurt. You knew better. Be the brains of the outfit. Even with a winch leaners and damaged trees are unpredictable.

 

[JJT]

Yesterday, my stupid boyfriend convinced me to get in my tractor and pull on a series of chains attached pretty high up on a dead tree that was leaning towards the power lines. I wanted to wait and put in a snatch block or pulley to give myself a little angle so it wasn't going to come down right on me. Well guess what? He prevailed and i got hit by a pretty big branch on the shoulder and hand. I am bruised and pissed.

So now the question: is Farmi a better skidding winch than Wallenstein? I have read the former are bombproof while the Wallensteins are good but not in the same league. Aside from the comments about how stupid it was to pull a tree down on myself, what do you think about these skidders? And for the record, my family in the south are tough pulp-wooders so i know all about logging safety and don't know why i cut corners but i did and am luck to be alive.

Danica

I'm running an Igland 3501 winch on a comparable tractor. No issues in the past 5 years of use. It's a very robust unit.