Winches Poor man's logging winch

[KellyB]

I installed a Superwinch 3500 in place of the backhoe bucket on my BX24. I need to tidy up the wiring but the winch works great. I set it up so everything except the battery wires and circuit breaker in the under the dash area come off the tractor when the winch is not in use. I just use the remote to control the winch. I didn't use the ATV handlebar switch that comes with the winch for obvious reasons.
I built a wooden box for the solenoid and connections which mounts to the ROP. This comes off with 2 bolts. I will use the winch during the time of year I cut firewood. After that the bucket goes back. I used more connectors than I needed but I want the system to break down to small parts for storage.
Our property is very steep and I need to get trees up to the road to process them for firewood. Decades ago I just cut trees into pieces and humped them up to the road. I have been backing the tractor up and pulling logs with hooks on the FEL bucket. This got too exciting when I would raise the bucket up to get a better angle.
Winch $179
Adapter for 2" receiver $75
Bxpanded 2" receiver replacing bucket $129
6 ga wire and miscellaneous connectors and crimper $45

I would rather have a Wallenstein FX35, but these cost $3000+.

I just threw in a picture of our view for the heck of it. That's a cruise ship that was in the Portland shipyard for repairs. It's headed out to sea at Astoria, OR. Sometimes really steep property is worth it.

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You certainly deserve full marks for creativity, but I think a heavier tractor is in order if you plan on pulling logs of any real size.

I've looked at few different tractor skidding winches and here's the one I'm most interested in.

Skid-Winch | Portable Sawmills and Forestry Equipment

I like the simple capstan winch concept and that you can run as long a rope as you want. I have large beaver pond that I need to pull logs across and this would ideal.

 

[altoonapillarrock]

You certainly deserve full marks for creativity, but I think a heavier tractor is in order if you plan on pulling logs of any real size.

I've looked at few different tractor skidding winches and here's the one I'm most interested in.

Skid-Winch | Portable Sawmills and Forestry Equipment

I like the simple capstan winch concept and that you can run as long a rope as you want. I have large beaver pond that I need to pull logs across and this would ideal.

I watched the video and it looks way safer than my scheme. There is no way I would tackle a log that size with my little winch. I wonder how much a Skid Winch costs?

 

[KellyB]

I watched the video and it looks way safer than my scheme. There is no way I would tackle a log that size with my little winch. I wonder how much a Log-Hog costs?

I got a quote from them a while back and I think it was around $1750. CAD plus freight, which seems quite reasonable to me.

I think that's about $1300 USD, if that's where you are.

 

[bcp]

Across and upriver a bit:



Bruce

 

[PILOON]

I rigged a larger style winch that is mounted a 2 x 2 tubing that I slip into the trailer tube that I have on my 3 point weight.
Using a long extension for the controls makes fun of logging and quite safe.
My tractor battery is rather oversize at 960 CCA and my alternator seems capable of topping it up between pulls.
I also rigged a skid plate to prevent snagging.
Now I must admit that my 'logging' is somewhat minimal and only occasional so it works for me.
That is to say that electric winching can be practical on a limited basis.

 

[altoonapillarrock]

Across and upriver a bit:

View attachment 506372

Bruce

I saw this on Craigslist earlier this evening. I will send an email tomorrow and go have a look.

 

[altoonapillarrock]

I rigged a larger style winch that is mounted a 2 x 2 tubing that I slip into the trailer tube that I have on my 3 point weight.
Using a long extension for the controls makes fun of logging and quite safe.
My tractor battery is rather oversize at 960 CCA and my alternator seems capable of topping it up between pulls.
I also rigged a skid plate to prevent snagging.
Now I must admit that my 'logging' is somewhat minimal and only occasional so it works for me.
That is to say that electric winching can be practical on a limited basis.

Mine is limited too. I do about 10-12 cord a year to feed the Finnish heater and keep the trees from over growing the place. I enjoyed wiring up the winch but it may not be the best tool.

 

[altoonapillarrock]

I got a quote from them a while back and I think it was around $1750. CAD plus freight, which seems quite reasonable to me.

I think that's about $1300 USD, if that's where you are.

This sounds pretty reasonable. Breaking into the hydraulic system every time I want to winch sounds daunting. I will give them a call and find out more.