Logging Winches and How to Use 'Em

rdbrumfield · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

Back in the early 80's I built several winch units that worked very well. They are pto driven 8000 and 12000 lb pulling units.
I had some concerns about the designs for some of the winches that are out there with the systems that pulled from above the top link. Any side pull and you risk flopping your tractor on it's side, the pull on the top link is double the load as it is between the bottom links and the pulley at the top. I had also seen the bottom links folded up from these systems.
That is not to say that there aren't a lot of folks out there with these units, and enjoying the work they do with them. Just beware that when working with the forces they put on small tractors, be careful.

rdbrumfield · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

Back in the early 80's I built several winch units that worked very well. They are pto driven 8000 and 12000 lb pulling units.
I had some concerns about the designs for some of the winches that are out there with the systems that pulled from above the top link. Any side pull and you risk flopping your tractor on it's side, the pull on the top link is double the load as it is between the bottom links and the pulley at the top. I had also seen the bottom links folded up from these systems.
That is not to say that there aren't a lot of folks out there with these units, and enjoying the work they do with them. Just beware that when working with the forces they put on small tractors, be careful.

1bush2hog · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

"Farmi & Fransgaard are very similar looking to one another, and have relatively few moving parts compared to the Tajfun... they also need to have tension released from the dogs/catches on the tractor side (backing up) when your load gets hung up on a stump or rock (Tajfun has a clutch & brake, so brake can be released without moving tractor)."

Not sure what is meant by this statement, but my Farmi 501 does not require me to move the tractor to release brake on the winch when cable is under load.

I considered the Taijfun prior to purchasing my Farmi, but the Farmi at the time had a better support network and as well as a lot longer track record in the field.

I would consider the Taijfun and Farmi both if purchasing again as I think they are both very good units based on my research. It boils down to support. I do like the fact that the safety screen is included with the Taijfun. It has to be purchased separate with a Farmi.

Whatever choice is made, it is a good idea to match the winch to the tractor. I also try to keep a load on my FEL when using the winch. Look at all the winch sites too - there is a ton of good safety information on them.

I have had no problems with the Farmi so far. It has already earned it's keep pulling logs from steep areas on my property.

1bush2hog · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

"Farmi & Fransgaard are very similar looking to one another, and have relatively few moving parts compared to the Tajfun... they also need to have tension released from the dogs/catches on the tractor side (backing up) when your load gets hung up on a stump or rock (Tajfun has a clutch & brake, so brake can be released without moving tractor)."

Not sure what is meant by this statement, but my Farmi 501 does not require me to move the tractor to release brake on the winch when cable is under load.

I considered the Taijfun prior to purchasing my Farmi, but the Farmi at the time had a better support network and as well as a lot longer track record in the field.

I would consider the Taijfun and Farmi both if purchasing again as I think they are both very good units based on my research. It boils down to support. I do like the fact that the safety screen is included with the Taijfun. It has to be purchased separate with a Farmi.

Whatever choice is made, it is a good idea to match the winch to the tractor. I also try to keep a load on my FEL when using the winch. Look at all the winch sites too - there is a ton of good safety information on them.

I have had no problems with the Farmi so far. It has already earned it's keep pulling logs from steep areas on my property.

tom30519 · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

( Now changing data fields for searching? What is meant by that? )

If you click on the Search button at the top of this page, you will see five "boxes" that are used to control your search: which forum to search in (or all of 'em), what words to look for (logging winch, for example), whether the words should appear in exactly that order (phrase) or just anywhere in the text. Also "Date Range" which tells the search engine how far back in time to look, and then the number of results to put on each page.

The Date Range defaults to "newer than 1 week", so unless you know the thread you want to find was active within the last week, select some other likely time frame.

Hope this helps,

Tom.

tom30519 · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

( Now changing data fields for searching? What is meant by that? )

If you click on the Search button at the top of this page, you will see five "boxes" that are used to control your search: which forum to search in (or all of 'em), what words to look for (logging winch, for example), whether the words should appear in exactly that order (phrase) or just anywhere in the text. Also "Date Range" which tells the search engine how far back in time to look, and then the number of results to put on each page.

The Date Range defaults to "newer than 1 week", so unless you know the thread you want to find was active within the last week, select some other likely time frame.

Hope this helps,

Tom.

boatermark · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

Ah huh! What a horse's @#$! I was using the "search" in the upper most right corner of the page in the blue top margin, not the one in the tabs. I see now. How elementary....

So no other experience with hydraulically run winches huh? I heard these had more finesse then the pto run ones.

Looks like there is a lot of concern about turning your tractor over while winching. I could see this at extreme angles no? Doesn't dropping the 3-point hitch down and digging the bottom of the winch in the ground add to some stability? You would think it would be a little impractical to have your tractor perfectly inline to every log you wanted to winch in......

Thanks again for all the info! Hopefully other folks are finding this thread useful too!

boatermark · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

Ah huh! What a horse's @#$! I was using the "search" in the upper most right corner of the page in the blue top margin, not the one in the tabs. I see now. How elementary....

So no other experience with hydraulically run winches huh? I heard these had more finesse then the pto run ones.

Looks like there is a lot of concern about turning your tractor over while winching. I could see this at extreme angles no? Doesn't dropping the 3-point hitch down and digging the bottom of the winch in the ground add to some stability? You would think it would be a little impractical to have your tractor perfectly inline to every log you wanted to winch in......

Thanks again for all the info! Hopefully other folks are finding this thread useful too!

SkogenMe · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

I think part of the trade off may be that if you have the pull point low, you tend to do a lot of digging with the log and you will tend to get a wad of branches on the front of the log.
Setting the winch down helps but the physics involved say it is not that hard to flip a tractor with a winch....even with backhoe type stablizers you could do it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I run a NH TC48 now and similar weight tractor before and my operating mode is to stand next to the wheel with the winch clutch rope in my hand and my elbow just touching the tire. That way I can feel the tractor start to lift off the ground and ease off on the clutch.
good luck

SkogenMe · May 23, 2006

Re: Logging Winches and How to Use \'Em

I think part of the trade off may be that if you have the pull point low, you tend to do a lot of digging with the log and you will tend to get a wad of branches on the front of the log.
Setting the winch down helps but the physics involved say it is not that hard to flip a tractor with a winch....even with backhoe type stablizers you could do it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I run a NH TC48 now and similar weight tractor before and my operating mode is to stand next to the wheel with the winch clutch rope in my hand and my elbow just touching the tire. That way I can feel the tractor start to lift off the ground and ease off on the clutch.
good luck