Reviews of Igland winches

[CobyRupert]

Yeah, my Wally isn't the most stable when resting on it's blade (no leg stands), but then again not entirely unstable either.
It's got the stability of a china cabinet. -Kind of, but not really.
Most of the weight is in the blade at the bottom so it's not going to go anywhere, but it's tall enough that just about anyone could grab the top and have enough leverage to push it over. As long a no kids are trying to climb on it I don't worry about it.

 

[LouieJunior]

Has anybody tried securing with cable or chains to barn pole or wall -- seems like a built-in stabilizer!

 

[52wej]

Louie, I have had the winch for about a week. So far it appears that it will meet all expectations. For example, I have the winch attached to a 35 HP compact tractor(Century 2535) and was dragging a 16 ft oak log on Saturday that was almost 30" on the butt end. That is all I want to pull and is way bigger than 90 % of what I will be using. The winch is well made, simple to operate. The only complex part was cutting the PTO to the correct length. The folding butt plate is a much more useful feature than I first imagined. It folds sufficiently so that I can hook a wagon to my drawbar and load it with wood that has been snaked out of the trees and take it back to the house. Takes less than a minute to fold and unfold. I hold it up with a choker chain and the winch cable.

I am not enamored of the sharp angle that the PTO must operate at, but it is smooth and the angle also enables me to hook to the drawbar. This pictures shows how I hook up the wagon.

This one shows how the PTO shaft is angled and provides room for the drawbar.

Here is a view of the back end.

Other winches may have some design features that will make for easier use if one is pulling a lot of logs. but for my more limited use I find this unit to be an exceptional value and Labonville has been very good to work with.
:thumbsup: WIllie Jones

 

[Gordon Gould]

Nice report 52wej. Looks like you got yourself a nice winch :thumbsup:

I don't think the angled drive shaft will be a problem with the low pto rpms normally used winching and the percentage of time actually winching compared to idling is small. It is not like a bush hog going 540 rpm under load 100% of the time for hours on end.

gg

 

[LouieJunior]

Thank you Willie for the report and photos. I'm guessing your log was approaching 4000 lbs. Looks like a very nice attachment.

 

[52wej]

Thanks Gordon, I have enjoyed reading your posts about your winch and how you use it. You are correct that I will be operating this winch at low rpms. I had rather stall the tractor than damage something.I can really understand now the importance of correct alignment while operating the winch and am glad I purchased a snatch block. There is a lot of wood on the family farm that has been inaccessible because it was over a hill or on the other side of a branch. The winch will enable that to be salvaged now. Willie Jones

 

[52wej]

Louie, I hope this information will help you. As I said, the unit is well made and would work fine on a slightly larger tractor if necessary. I feel that it was the best value for me. . Willie Jones

 

[LouieJunior]

Yes - Thank you. I have to wait for a new supply to become available. Evidently you purchased the last one! I will be using the winch to extract trees from my riverbottoms. I also hope to clear my swamp of downed trees.

 

[Agvg]

Oh, one thing that you have and many does not is a hinged skidding blade. thats a very nice feature when you drive in the woods.
Igland might bee the most professional maufacturer of tractor winches, look at those two drum 8t winches.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I can honestly say, there's never been even ONE time when I wished, or even thought it would be an advantage for my skidding winch to have a hinged blade...

In fact, to me it's just something else that could go wrong on a tractor with the amount of traction my tractor has...

SR