Sizing a logging winch for "occaisional" use

[Gordon Gould]

Your terrain sounds exactly like mine. Must be VT. I have a series of tipped up ledges. A cliff on one side and a steep slant down to the base of the next cliff on the other side. Down at the bottom is a swamp. There is a shelf here and there running across the slopes. I have main trails heading straight down the slope and put spur trails on the shelves. Most are dead ends.
Here is a main trail



This is how I use the winch on a spur trail. The angle of the cable will give you an idea how steep it is. It sounds like you will need to do the same type thing.





With a 35 hp tractor you do not have to worry about tearing up your winch especially if it is one of the common brands listed above. I think they are all good.

 

[Andre Belliveau]

I've got a Norse 290 on the back of my tractor. Works fine. When it fetches up it will not lift the front end of my tractor.