Logging winch?

[Blackgreyhounds]

I'm looking at picking up a 3pt logging winch for my L3710. Any advice would be appreciate. What should I look for? What should I avoid? Anyone got a line on a good used one? Etc...

 

[Gordon Gould]

Any of the main brands are good. Farmi, Wallenstein, Uni-Forest, Fransgard, ...
Remember that the weight of your tractor is more important than the winch pull capability. You won't be able to pull 10K lbs with a 3000 lb tractor. The tractor will move not the tree. So don't get a winch that is to strong and heavy for your tractor. It is not only a waste of money but it also puts a lot more stress on the tractor because of it's big geometry and high pulling power. Get yourself a snatch block while you are at it. They are indispensable. Either a manual one or self releasing makes no difference. Self releasing blocks are really nice and save a lot of work and time, but expensive too, so your best chance to get one at reasonable cost is to work it into the winch purchase deal.

gg

 

[Gordon Gould]

Just to give you an idea of what a small winch will do I pulled this log out with a Farmi 290 which has a 6400 lb pull. My tractor weighs 5000 lbs the way I have it set up. IMO that size winch is a perfect match for my tractor. Tractor hp is at the high end of the winch specified range.





gg

 

[Greenland South]

Here is a thread I started some time ago. Has some good info in it. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/340891-skidding-winches.html?highlight=

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Any of the main brands are good. Farmi, Wallenstein, Uni-Forest, Fransgard, ...
Remember that the weight of your tractor is more important than the winch pull capability. You won't be able to pull 10K lbs with a 3000 lb tractor. The tractor will move not the tree. So don't get a winch that is to strong and heavy for your tractor. It is not only a waste of money but it also puts a lot more stress on the tractor because of it's big geometry and high pulling power.

Don't you put the winch down and let it anchor into the ground?? At THAT point, there's no stress on the tractor, the winch is pulling against the ground. It just won't pull the tractor at all, even though with too small of a tractor, you may not be able to pull the log once it get's to the tractor...

Personally, I'd size my winch a little bigger than I need, mines rated at 9,000 and if I could go back, I'd have bought the 12,000.

SR

 

[oosik]

Looking at Gordon's pics - I have a question. Wouldn't a stout chain/cable connected to the tractor's drawbar do the same job? In other words - what are the advantages of using a logging winch over just pulling with the drawbar?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

An anchored winch will pull MUCH more than a tractor will pull...

The anchored winch doesn't have to worry about traction...

SR

 

[oosik]

AH..... thank you SR. I knew there must be a valid reason.

 

[Gordon Gould]

So we have two different opinions - that is life. Our opinions for the most part are made up from our experiences.

Yes I try to anchor the winch in the ground. When the winch anchors deep it is a beautiful thing. But there are many many times that a winch will not anchor itself enough to hold in a hard pull. Anyone who has used a winch much has had their tractor jerked around during a hard pull or on a snag. Plus where I work the ground is frozen solid during the best part of logging season - you don't anchor in that and it is the best time to get clean wood.





Some times you are forced to work in a slash pile, or where there are roots, or ledge, or a super thick duff layer loaded with branches - you don't anchor well in that either.



You have a great big strong heavy tractor and it will handle a big winch. You probably would have a hard time finding a winch to big for it. The OP and I have small tractors it would be easy to get a winch that is to big.

gg

 

[andy1981]

it seems that used ones in good shape do not show up very often, I bought Wallenstein from Woodward Crossings Country Basics out of PA . I got it shipped to my door with 3 extra chains and sliders and a self releasing snatch block for the same price as any of my local dealers could for the winch alone. an fx85 would be a good match for your tractor

 

[Gordon Gould]

Looking at Gordon's pics - I have a question. Wouldn't a stout chain/cable connected to the tractor's drawbar do the same job? In other words - what are the advantages of using a logging winch over just pulling with the drawbar?

Rob is right that you can pull more with the winch than a chain on the draw bar. But you can also just cut it small enough to use the draw bar. It has been done that way for ages. To me the real advantage of the winch is that you can get wood that is inaccessible to the tractor. You can reach into the woods from a good trail. This is especially important when working hills and ravines with a tractor.





gg

 

[oosik]

You have some excellent pics on how the system actually works. Thanks so much. Oosik

 

[Sawyer Rob]

When you are cutting big logs down in a ravine,

That your tractor could never pull a log out of,

and having to snake the logs out of the woods,

A good winch is just about all that will work,

Make sure that winch has a good hitch too, you will need it to pull those logs home,

On frozen ground, sometimes I have to back up to a hump in the ground, or even a stump to anchor. I do what ever it takes, if the pull is "that" hard of a pull...

SR

 

[Blackgreyhounds]

Thanks for the replies so far. Right now I'm using the DR brand log hitch and chains. As above, it works great anywhere i can get the tractor, but my place is tight with boulders, hills ravines etc, so the extended "reach" over and around these obstacles will greatly increase my productivity. Good thing is, I'm in no rush so i can shop around.

 

[jimmysisson]

You will LOVE having a winch; makes woodlot work way more like woodworking than like the usual mud wrestling. Less wear and tear on roads/trails, esp w a trailer like Robs or similar. They pull more than a drawbar can because the cable is higher on the tractor. It lifts the log and digs the winch into the ground when you pull.
As far as too big, a winch does put strain on the top link mounts, but I've not heard of someone breaking them. Smaller winch = lighter cable, easier to manhandle in storage, cheaper. Jmho

Jim

 

[Oldpath05]

(" Anyone who has used a winch much has had their tractor jerked around during a hard pull or on a snag. ") <<<That's a big 10-4.

Another important point on getting the right winch is making sure the color matches your tractor and a good winch wax to go with it is also essential. ayah.............