Searching for Winch Wisdom

[peckfarm]

Almost plunged into a 25 year old Farmi today and got cold feet. At $1750 it seemed a little rich when a new one is less than %50 more. The JD dealer is pushing the Fransgard V-3507 for $3100. We have a JD 4310 about 400 acres and I do 20+ cords of firewood a year plus thinning and about 10 cords logging for board lumber a year. What winch is the best winch?
Thanks in advance.

 

[ktm250rider]

Does seem rather high. I picked up an FIW (same parts as a Fransgard) for 1000 bucks last year. To answer your question, any winch is the best winch. I would have bought new if I knew what one could do.

 

[ihuntbear]

I have a new wallenstein 6500.just got it last month can't wait to try it.I bought new because I didn't need the headaches with a used clutch

 

[tessiers]

I bought a Norse 290 new for $2000 a few years ago. I am very pleased with it. I was, and still am, more concerned with the dealer and service than the brand of my equipment. I am still amazed at the usefulness of the winch, I cut a little more firewood per year but a little less other wood but our uses are quite similar. I used to use a 3 point arch but because of our sidehill property I felt a winch would be much safer. It also increases production considerably even on flat ground. I wouldn't pay $1700 for a used winch but thats just me, I don't buy used vehicles either but lots of people have real good luck with them. I would be a little cautious about the clutch and its chain and sprocket conditions. We had a farmi on the farm I grew up on and it was older than I can remember and hauled more wood than probably both of ours together ever will. We cut pulp every winter with it on a 70 horse tractor.

Good Luck!!!

 

[Dead Horse]

A used farmi can be as good as a new one. There is not much you need to inspect to be sure of its condition. I bought a used Farmi 601, did a little tune up work on it and hauled 30 cord of wood with it since I bought it a year and a half ago. I paid about 40% of new price as best I could tell and for the money it is the best implement I have ever purchased.

I have a couple tractors and run a 100 acre farm, orchard, forest. A winch only has a few wear parts, if they are in good condition the unit will last several more lifetimes......

your clutch, cables and pool bearing as well as the chain and cogs are what you need to inspect. re the cable, pull all of it out to inspect it. Then you can check the spool bearing for slop with the spool empty.

Farmi is a very solid unit!