LOGGING WINCH: BRAND COMPARISON

[browns40]

Hi All,

I've been doing a bit of online comparison of Farmi, Fransgard, Tajfun, and Wallenstein logging winches, and am finding it to be exceedingly difficult--like tractors, every model is "the best" in it's arena...

Since everyone checks up on what they bought (and the ones they didn't!) I am hoping that anyone who had one or more of these winches (or other brand?) could give a little feedback on:

1. what you like about your brand?

2. what features on your brand steered you in that direction?

3. what price did you pay & when?

4. what features have you since noticed on other brands & would those differences have swayed you in another direction?

5. which have you found/heard the most rugged? reliable? available?

6. is a ~4 ton model the most appropriate for a 32 hp MFWD mid-frame?

7. what are the pros & cons of PTO vs. hydraulic driven units?

Any thoughts & experiences would be greatly appreciated...

Happy tractoring! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[1bush2hog]

I was in your position awhile back and ended up purchasing a Farmi 501 for the following reasons:

The size matched my tractor - look at the HP requirements on the winches, and match this to your tractor, this will determine what will work best for you - this will also determine the pulling capacity of the winch

Farmi's have been around a long time too, so parts and dealers are available

Farmi's are sturdy, well built, and simple to operate and have a good reputation as being dependable. I like quality and depend on my equipment to work when I need it to.

No problems with my winch so far and really can not comment on a hydraulic winch. I am no pro, nor do I make a living with my winch but I have not regretted my purchase, other than I wished I could have found a used one and saved some $$$

You can also check the forestry forum for good info on winches - www.forestryforum.com/

I looked at and liked the Taijfun and Fransguard and others have good things to say about these as well - My second choice was the Taijfun.

Do a search on this ite if you haven't already - there are some good threads pertaining to winches

 

[Maka]

I know the Tajfun and Farmi and feel as well as my customers who have owned both that the Tajfun pronounced Typhoon is far superior in build, weight, feature and price. I believe that the Tajfun would be an excellent choice.

If you call Anders at Scandanavian Forestry Tech he will explain the safety differences. You can reach him at
(208) 682-2002 or Scandanavian Forestry Tech.

I would give him a call as he has talked to others here about the differences and been very helpful.

I would think a 3 ton would be perfect and a 4 ton the max.

Thanks,
Maka

 

[1948berg]

High quality winches
http://www.igland-as.com/

 

[1bush2hog]

Hey Maka - Just curious - do you know what advantage the additional weight of a Tajfun would actually give a user?

Also, do you know about the differences in the brakes between a Tajfun and Farmi? and the advantages or disadvantages of one over the other?

Can you also give an idea of cost of a 50AV Tajfun?

Thanks.

 

[sparkkky]

Been logging with a Tajfun 3ton for the last year with no problems being heavier it works as ballast and seems solid.

Call Anders with your questions and he will fill you in, a real help to talk too.

 

[pekabu]

Noticed your from Maine. I was at Chappel tractor in Brentwood NH today. They had a Fransgard in the yard.

 

[Jstpssng]

It's been a while since I read these articles, so I won't attempt to comment. Check them out Here, in the Sawmill Magazine archives.



I have an older Fransgard, other people I know own Farmiis; I don't see any major differences between the two. I've never seen a Tajfun, so can't say for sure; but it seems like a pretty nice setup.

 

[Jstpssng]

One other comment, based on my experience. It's been a while since I was shopping, so I'm not sure of the model numbers. My Fransgard is the second level, rated for 25-40HP. My tractor is an L275 Kubota.(27HP) It powers the winch with no problem; too often it'll drag the tractor backwards or lift the front tires off the ground. Yet because of the size of the winch frame the 3PH won't raise it very far off the ground, about 6 inches; this causes a lot of problems on uneven ground. For my tractor, the 2800 would probably work better.

 

[browns40]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

The impression I've gotten is that winches are pretty much winches.... although some have slots (?) built in for chains, others have a receiver mount option right on the winch...

Tajfun does seem to have more metal making up the blade portion of the winch--but no quote returned to date... Wallenstein looks like it has alot of extras for the price... Fransgard seems to demand the highest premium...

I am debating waiting to find a used one in Uncle Henry's to save some $$$ vs. going new so I can start clearing & the firewood can be seasoning that much faster... Does age & use seem to hurt a winch much, or do they just keep on pulling? i.e. can you go wrong with a reasonably used one?

 

[DLMaine01]

browns40
I have a Tajfun winch(EGV 30 A) and love it. It has been a real work horse. I have had it 2 years and have had 0 problems. The Tajfun comes with more and larger cable than the Farmi and 3 sliders as well as the protective screen stock. So make sure you are comparing the same thing when pricing. Don't get me wrong I think the Farmi is a good quality winch and really you can't go wrong with either one. I do not know anything about the other brands.
Used winches can be hard to find and if you do find one check the cable carefully, if you have to replace it your savings may be gone.
Check out the pics.
Good Luck
Dave

 

[DLMaine01]

"I can only lift my winch 6" off the ground"

I would be in real trouble with my very uneven ground if I could noly lift my winch 6" off the ground.

 

[DLMaine01]

Last one

 

[Youare]

I bought my Farmi winch back around 1980, it is the 18-35hp. model. It was first used on a Ford 8N, 28hp. now it is on a Kubota L3000DT, 30hp.

I paid $995.00 for the winch, brand new. Today I could sell it for more than what I paid for it. Other than replacing the wire rope once and one adjustment of the clutch the winch has been trouble free.

I think this winch was rated at 5,400 lbs. of line pull which is more than enough to pull the tractor over backwards. This one is PTO shaft driven, I don't think I would like the hydraulic driven units but I have never used one.

Back when I purchased mine there were only two winches in the area Norse and Farmi, I purchased the Farmi because the dealer I purchased my 8N from sold Farmi. I did look a both and don't know that there was that much difference between the two.

From what I have read and heard the Farmi, Fransgard, Tajfun winches have all been rated as very good. My brother worked for a New Holland dealer that sold Fransgard winches and he said they had no problems with them.

Once you get one you will wonder how you got along without one. It is the most useful 3PH attachment I have.

Randy

 

[Jstpssng]

browns40, first good luck finding one in Uncle Henry's. I'm sure you've already noted clean used attachments in general are scarce as hen's teeth; when they do appear they don't last long. When I was looking for implements I purchased an online subscription and would check the ads very early, before the paper edition came out. Four years ago I was self-employed and could take time off to check out a good deal. I ended up with a very used Fransgard for $900, and spent another $100 or so in repairs; it has paid for itself but if I figured in all the time I spent taking it apart and putting it back together it would have been cheapr to buy new. This month I'm taking it apart again, plus replacing the cable for $100 or so. It was too much money for what I got, but I wanted it and was tired of looking. I really wish I'd sprung for a new V2800 or a 290, back then going for $1700.


Some things to look for; wear on the chain and sprockets; noise and/or free play in the bearings and U-joints; ease in engaging and disengaging the clutch. It should easily pull the tractor backward up a hill; Don't buy it if you can't see it work. Check to make sure the frame isn't bent; my chain has rubbed a groove in the frame. I wouldn't buy one that has spent much time stored outside as critical parts tend to rust and the clutch may not engage or disengage properly. There's nothing worse than backing off the clutch and having the *&^%ed thing keep pulling, and also very unsafe. Lastly, ensure that all safety guards are in place. (Although that'll make it difficult to check some of the items I mentioned.)
Oh yeah, my winch would have failed ALL of the above tests.

One thing which I really like about the Tajhun (SP?) is the friction brake; this is the same style as what is on the big skidders and seems a lot safer.

As I'm sure you already know, Osgood's in E.Dixfield and Union Tractor in Union seem to offer the best prices.

Or I'll give you a really good deal on mine... and I'll go buy a new one! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Have fun.

 

[Jstpssng]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would be in real trouble with my very uneven ground if I could noly lift my winch 6" off the ground.
)</font> That was my point. Although the winch is rated for a tractor my size it really isn't a good match. Much of my land is relativey flat; still I really have to plan my trails carefully, and this summer am going in with my backhoe to cut off some humps in my main trails. On the other hand despite my grousing on this and my previous posts I've managed to bring out about 100 cords of wood in the last few years; plus what I've cut for my own use.

You have a nice setup though. Last week I was trying to bring out some hemlock logs; after one got hung up on a stump I finally got POed, and replaced the winch with my drawbar just so I could get the butt off the ground. I'm about through cutting my lot; otherwise I'd be looking at a new winch.

 

[rissacher]

I'm getting ready to buy a winch also and trying to decide on brand.

One feature that stands out on the Norse winches is that they have a pivot point on the blade so that you don't have to worry about ground clearance over stumps and such.

 

[tessiers]

I have a Norse and I have no regrets. The only other I have ever used is a farmi and I don't see much advantage to one or the other as far as actual working goes. People can talk specs and figures all day long but the work is where it matters.

 

[CrazyQ]

can you go wrong with a reasonably used one?

Based on your user name you must be located north of Augusta...kidding. I bought a used farmi from circa 1980's for $500. It was in great shape for the age. My tractor could handle a much larger winch but this one pulls wicked good for the money. I think the winch is only rated for around 5k lbs. You are more than welcome to come see it pull. I am in the Skowhegan area. I think you will find that the other poster commenting on the difficulty in finding one in Uncle Henry's is probably correct. I looked for a long time. The father of a guy I work with was selling this one...it came from CT...but I didn't hold that against him.