Sizing a logging winch to a tractor

Boondox · Dec 22, 2005

I've used a Farmi 351P logging winch on my L3010 for years to bring home logs for firewood. Pretty impressive little unit, but at times I felt I could use a bit more pull...which, of course meant a tractor larger than the one I have.

But now that I'm trading up to an L4x30, I'll have loads of HP and mass. One dealer says the 351P will do just fine and is, in fact, the appropriate size for the new tractor. The other dealer says it will work, but is kinda small and might not have enough pull to get me out of muck should I get stuck in the woods.

So what does the collective expertise of the board say? For an L4630HST should I keep the 351P or trade up to the 501?

Pete

1bush2hog · Dec 23, 2005

Looks like you can go either way if the 4630 is 40HP tractor. 40hp is close to the max rating on the 351 and min rating on the 501

The 501 weighs more and costs more, but has a blade that digs into the ground and takes much of the load, as well as a chain saw carrier. The blade

I use a 501 with my TN75 - TN75 is rated at 62PTO HP and the 501 is rated for 60HP max.

If you move up to the 501, you would not utilize all of the potential of the 501 if tractor hp is only 40.

IMHO - I would stay with the 351, assuming it is paid for, and purchase a snatchblock if you do not already have one. If you have a monster to pull you can pull at appx. 15000 lbs by hooking the snatch block to the log and anchoring the end of the cable by the tractor, but consideration should be given to your top link in this case.

Now you can take the extra money you saved by keeping the 351 and put it on your new grapple /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

tawilson · Dec 23, 2005

I've got a 501 on my 2120, 43 hp I believe. Probably a little heavier tractor than yours. I definitely don't think it's too big for the tractor. I like the weight and the blade comes in handy too. Don't buy it for the chainsaw holder tho. As long as you are trading in your tractor, I'd see what the dealer would do on the winch's, maybe you can get your money out of it. I think the 501 was $600 more than the 351. If you are going to take a bath on it, I'd keep the 351.

slowzuki · Dec 23, 2005

Most 351's here have a blade on them? Does yours? I used a 351 non-blade last winter for 50 or so logs and it could make my L5030hstc with loader and filled tires dance all over the place when it hung on a stump.

I'd be worried about pulling the top link bracket out of the tranny housing with much more pull. A fellow with L4610 did that a while ago with a winch.

1bush2hog · Dec 23, 2005

I agree - the chainsaw holder is minimal. It works OK for shorter bars, but 20" or greater I have to use a bungee and wrap it around winch and saw, otherwise the saw wants to dance out of the holder when I hit a bump.

I sure do like the winch though /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

1bush2hog · Dec 23, 2005

I'd be worried about pulling the top link bracket out of the tranny housing with much more pull. A fellow with L4610 did that a while ago with a winch.

Not trying to hijac the thread, but do you know how he repaired his tractor?

Boondox · Dec 23, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Looks like you can go either way if the 4630 is 40HP tractor. 40hp is close to the max rating on the 351 and min rating on the 501

The 501 weighs more and costs more, but has a blade that digs into the ground and takes much of the load, as well as a chain saw carrier. The blade

I use a 501 with my TN75 - TN75 is rated at 62PTO HP and the 501 is rated for 60HP max.

If you move up to the 501, you would not utilize all of the potential of the 501 if tractor hp is only 40.

IMHO - I would stay with the 351, assuming it is paid for, and purchase a snatchblock if you do not already have one. If you have a monster to pull you can pull at appx. 15000 lbs by hooking the snatch block to the log and anchoring the end of the cable by the tractor, but consideration should be given to your top link in this case.

Now you can take the extra money you saved by keeping the 351 and put it on your new grapple /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

)</font>

You made some excellent points! Thanks! My L3010 develops only 24hp at the PTO, while the L4630 has about 40. So it makes a lot of sense to see what the bigger tractor can do with my 351P. It has the blade/butt plate that digs in, which has kept my tractor from being pulled backwards many times.

So maybe I'll give the old winch a try with the new tractor. The dealer will honor my trade till the middle of summer, so I have nothing to lose. And come to think of it, my logging complaints have more to do with a too small tractor than a too small winch. Thanks again! Pete

Boondox · Dec 24, 2005

Well, I changed my mind again!

Drove by the dealer this morning to tell him to forget the winch, that I'd keep my 351P. He said he'd been curious as well so was checking them out. In the back lot, at the base of a very muddy incline about as steep as I have on my property, was an L4330 with a 351P just like mine. We hitched the cable to the base of a telephone pole at the top of the hill and the winch was unable to pull the tractor out of the muck.

The dealer used a chain attached to an M-series beast to pull the L4330 back to the lot, then switched the 351 for the 501 and repeated the experiment. The 501 had no trouble pulling the tractor to freedom.

So it's going to be a Farmi 501 for me, and a thorough wash for that poor, muddy tractor!

Pete

tawilson · Dec 24, 2005

I was out using mine today. I've heard there are winch's with wireless remote. I've never seen anyone's report on one that I recall, but sure seems like it would be a big time/work saver. Just something I was thinking about as I walked back to the tractor to pull the log 15' to get around a tree so I could walk back and unhook from the stump and then walk back through the snow to the tractor to drag the log in.

jimmysisson · Dec 25, 2005

TAWilson - Farmi makes a snatch block that self-releases the cable when the hooked log gets to it. That looks like a timesaver in the situation you describe, or where you want to snake a log "around a corner". It costs plenty, maybe $250, though. A regular old $60 snatch block and a tree strap are pretty useful, I find. The wireless is appealing in deep snow, and to get away from a tight cable. snatch block
Jim