Wallenstein fx110

ericm979 · Sep 20, 2023

Gordon posted those snatch block mods before I bought my winch. They were part of a whole thread or sub-thread about snatch block problems. I took those problems into account when selecting a snatch block for my winch. I ended up with an Igland block which has performed well for me without jamming the cable.

Igland Self-Releasing Snatch Block

On back order until mid April. Maximum load: 6 tons. For use with wire cable up to 1/2” diameter. Made by Igland of Norway.

stewardshipsuppliers.com

my only issue is that I got straps with reinforced eyes, and that makes the strap's eye stiff so it sometimes slips off the pointy end of the block that's supposed to retain it after you put it through the hole. I need to either weld an extension on or cut off the reinforcing material. The self-releasing feature is really useful. Rigging the strap so it does not rotate about the tree prevents it from damaging the bark.

My winch is a Uniforest 35M. For my tractor which is heavy for a 37hp machine, I think I could have gone with a 4.5 ton. I'm pulling logs for firewood so I can always make them shorter if I have to. The Uniforest and similar designs from Slovenia all have long 230' cables which I wanted since a lot of my land is inaccessible to the tractor which means I may have to pull from a distance. So far I have not needed more than about 120' but I have not gone after any trees far back off the road. I would love to have a remote. For my use of a tree or two at a time it's not a big deal to walk back to the tractor but if you're talking $$ per ton it'll be a useful time saver for working solo.

TractorTYMe · Sep 20, 2023

I don't have a Wallenstein, but they are considered top notch quality. I bought a Tajfun AGV45A (10k# winch) simply what was available. Montana seem to be a dry spot for proper logging equipment for tractors since we don't have any trees, huh? [/strong saracasm]

fruitcakesa · Sep 20, 2023

I bougt a used Norse 450 winch for my M and it has performed well and dependably except for the times I allowed slack in the cable ad ended up with a tangled mess that ultimately required me to replace the badlt kinked cable. I bought an igland SR snatch block but after more than a year have yet to need/use it. I carry an old no name snatch that has come in handy when I need to redirect a tree when falling.

oldtimer 66 · Sep 20, 2023

On the choke setup, I would get it as tight by hand and aligned as best I could. I don't think alignment was my problem. I know I would fight to loosen the strap after doing a pull or several pulls from that spot. But thanks for the suggestion Gordon. What I do now is look for dead stumps and or I will dress up a stump with the chain saw so it will take a strap/ basket hitch. I don't like to hook to live trees. If I do the basket seems to me to be the best option. The FX 110 has .44 cable but that still could have been the problem with it slipping under the pully. I agree with Sawyer Rob on the synthetic rope, it's not worth it.

On the remote , when I bought my winch in 2015 the list was $6500 and the dealer gave it to me for $6000. I looked now and the unit is $9000 plus for the remote model. Talk about inflation. Below is one of the reasons I bought the remote plus I am working back at the tree/ stump and if there is a problem I can correct it right there without making the long walk thru brush etc.

I have probably mentioned this before, but the majority of my woods is on sidehill plus I have the cab tractor. When I can't make it up the hill I work the winch from inside the cab. I leave the log or logs unlocked drive a 100 some feet, stop and winch the logs up to the tractor, leave the logs again and drive up the hill some more, stop and winch the logs to the tractor and do this several times until I am on better ground.

On the hydraulic connection there is a single acting cylinder/ spring return/ inside the enclosure that engages the winch/ replaces the red rope? You need a set of hydraulic remotes/ open center/ and a 12 volt connection to work the 12v single acting control valve thru the hand held remote. I still have the green rope to lock the winch/ drum. Wallenstein describes this very well on the website.