Thinking about adding a winch to the 3pt...

[Reg]

Once again I am not sure what I would have to do to add a winch for electrical. I am sure I can come up with a way to make a quick add on / remove platform for the winch (3pt). I have a lot of tree tops down in the valley of my property that I would like to get out for firewood and I wouldn't dare take the Tractor down them. I could always rig some kind of pulley system with cable and use the tractor to pull them but the winch would be easier.... So has anyone done this?

If you are going to any trouble at all to haul UP fair lengths you will probably (eventually) start hauling them OUT - to wherever.

You COULD solve this and have a very useful tool IF you are willing to spend some BUX on a Farmi winch.
Check 'em out, I have always wanted one, but never justified it to myself.

 

[pat32rf]

IF he can rig a pulley and get a straight run from it with the tractor it will prove to be much faster than using a winch, as long as he has a spotter at the log to avert any hang-ups. I wouldn't be without my winches, but they are SLOW, just a lot quicker than me pulling on a rope all by my lonesome....plus they make a great place to store 100' of 3/8 cable between pulls...

 

[PILOON]

I also have a winch setup on my 20 hp tractor.
I mounted low on the 3-pt and it works great, the 35 amp alternator keeps up with the winch for the amount of usage I do.
I extended the remote control so that I could guide the pulled logs over obstructions.
When the cable is not long enough I add a length of chain and disconnect the chain as I get within cable reach.
All in all I am very satisfied with this cost effective installation.
At times I have pulled 4-5 lengths of 5-6" cedar logs at a time that I use to make split rail fencing.
I do chock the wheels as I have yet to make some sort of anchor points for winching.

 

[pat32rf]

I do chock the wheels as I have yet to make some sort of anchor points for winching.[/QUOTE]

My winch fairlead sits about 8" above the bottom of my 3pth so I just lower the 3pth to the ground and let the sharp corners of my ballast bar serve as an anchor. Once the log gets close enough I hook the short chain choker onto a hook above the winch so I can raise it off the ground and drive off without putting any shock load on the winch gears

 

[77bronco]

Have you considered a capstan winch? PTO or one driven by a small gas engine.
Wouldn't have to worry about the electrical draw on the tractor.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/104270-capstan-winch.html