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Which 3pt log skidding winch?
- Thread starter JUBILEE1953
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airplanewaynem
New member
Wallenstein or Farmi - did a bunch of research on these ( among other brands as well ) before I ended up purchasing a Wallenstein FX90. For the most part there is not that much difference between the 2, I thought the Farmi was a bit higher priced. One of the kicker features for me on the Wallenstein was the trailer hitch.
Another very important factor is the weight of the winch, and whether you have a FEL on your tractor or not. When I first used my FX90, I had it on a John Deere 3020 ( 70HP, 7500 lbs tractor )with no front weight. I figured the tractor would be heavy enough to make up for the lack of front weights, but on my very first hitch I hooked up 4 twelve to fourteen inch locust logs, and when I tried to start off the front end of the tractor raised up a couple inches! I added 400 lbs of weight, which enabled me to skid enough logs to make it practical. I used this setup until July 2014, when I sold the 3020 and bought a John Deere 5203 with 4WD and a FEL. The 5203 is smaller and lighter (56 HP, 5000 lb tractor ), but it will pull as much or maybe more than the 3020 did, partially because of the weight of the FEL ( never had the front wheels off the ground ) and partially because of the 4WD.
Winch size - don't think I would want to go any larger on the 5203. On the MF1742 you would probably be best off with the smaller FX65 (don't think it has the rear hitch though) or the or maybe the JL351.
Below are a couple pics of the FX90 in action.
Another very important factor is the weight of the winch, and whether you have a FEL on your tractor or not. When I first used my FX90, I had it on a John Deere 3020 ( 70HP, 7500 lbs tractor )with no front weight. I figured the tractor would be heavy enough to make up for the lack of front weights, but on my very first hitch I hooked up 4 twelve to fourteen inch locust logs, and when I tried to start off the front end of the tractor raised up a couple inches! I added 400 lbs of weight, which enabled me to skid enough logs to make it practical. I used this setup until July 2014, when I sold the 3020 and bought a John Deere 5203 with 4WD and a FEL. The 5203 is smaller and lighter (56 HP, 5000 lb tractor ), but it will pull as much or maybe more than the 3020 did, partially because of the weight of the FEL ( never had the front wheels off the ground ) and partially because of the 4WD.
Winch size - don't think I would want to go any larger on the 5203. On the MF1742 you would probably be best off with the smaller FX65 (don't think it has the rear hitch though) or the or maybe the JL351.
Below are a couple pics of the FX90 in action.
ST98
Bronze Member
The extra weight of the winch would be a benefit I think for loading. My application is winching to one location and loading, not really skidding. What RPM are you guys running your winches at?
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
General skidding, about 1,200.... If it's tough skidding, like BIG logs up out of a ravine or something like that, 1,400 or a bit more...
SR
SR
ST98
Bronze Member
PTO rpm?
MAN IN BLACK
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2013
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- 313
- Tractor
- MF GC2610 tlb,mmm
Never had to go much higher than idle speed (1000 rpm), 1200 at the very most.
On my tractor at least.
On my tractor at least.
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
Yes... It takes a lot of power to pull a 28" x 34' long oak log up out of a ravine, so I speed the engine up a bit for more power...
SR
airplanewaynem
New member
I usually run mine at about 1200 engine RPM (2400 RPM is PTO speed on my tractor). This would get the PTO spinning 270 RPM. This is fast enough that it doesn't make you impatient and yet slow enough to let you stop if something goes wrong.
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
After rereading this this morning, I think my above answer can be misleading...
I was talking about the engine RPM being 1200 to 1400...
SR
Dead Horse
Platinum Member
I generally run my Hesston at 1,000 RPMs with a Farmi 601, for winching. Once I get the log moving and there are no obstructions, I can speed it up some to make it go quicker. The peak torque is developed at 1,500 on that booger. If she ain't gonna winch at 1,500 rpm........... it ain't coming in.
With winching, starting out slow and steady can help avoid a LOT of problems, damage and buried-in-the-coil wire. Getting the wire buried in the spool is a real PIA!
