Winches Logging winch update

[Grandad4]

Had some time this afternoon, so I grabbed the camera, warmed up the tractor and headed for the woods. We have dozens of deadfall trees that we're trying to clear up without tearing up the healthy hardwoods nearby. Here are some photos taken while events unfolded.

Photo 1 Today's target... blowdown from 2-3 years ago, about 80 ft. long, still attached at the roots with entire tree still in one piece. In a shallow ravine running parallel to the trail, sloping uphill and entangled with other blowdowns at the crown. Overlapping logs had been previously removed.

 

[Grandad4]

Photo 2 The tool... Kubota L4610 with Uniforest 35E logging winch.

 

[johnk]

Lets see it in action. How many trees did you remove????

 

[Grandad4]

Photo 3 Separated the trunk from the stump. Due to other fallen trees and debris, the cut was actually made about 6 ft. from the base of the tree. Cut was made at an angle so the tree could pass beside the remaining stump as the winch initiated its pull.

 

[Grandad4]

Photo 4 Initial pull. Made as a linear pull in the same direction as the tree lay. The section pulled was measured at 51 ft., diameter of approximately 18" at the base. Separated the crown for removal later, estimated at 25ft. Tractor pulls made at slightly above idle rpm's.

 

[Grandad4]

Photo 5 Snatch block rigging to the log. After the initial pull, the log was cut in half to allow for snaking up the embankment and to the trail.

 

[Grandad4]

Photo 6 Snatch block rigging to the tractor. Pulley block is a Farmi self release. When the choker link hits the pulley block, it releases itself, allowing the pull to continue in the direction of the tractor.

 

[Grandad4]

Photo 7 Part way up the embankment... stuck on small tree. Gotta plan the geometry better... still getting the hang of this self-release thing. Had to reposition the pulley and make another pull. Oh well, sure beats log chains!

 

[Grandad4]

Photo 8 On the trail... finally.

 

[Grandad4]

Photo 9 Off to the burn pile. The other half of the 51 ft. section took a similar trip shortly thereafter. Although I think the tractor and winch would easily handle both sections at the same time, it's a narrow trail and the transit is pretty short anyways.

Started at about 1:00, finished at 3:30... you young guys can set your speed records but that was a good piece of work for this old f*rt!