Winches Winch

[mrutkaus]

Looks like something like this might fit on the front of the CK30? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3442

If you could drill holes thru that steel.

Has anyone installed a winch? I'm in a steep area and have visions of sliding off into the snow and getting stuck.

Mike

 

[TractorLegend]

Your tractor and implements and factor in if you are truly stuck (wheels deep in muck, etc) would seriously overload this little unit.
I'd think it better to have your winch mounted to another vehicle for recovery purposes. If you ever tip over your tractor and live, you'd be in better position to right yourself.
I'd forget the bargain basement brands of winches and look at Warn or Ramsey brands.
I have a 9K winch mounted to a portable cradle mount with a 2" square receiver tube that has a quick disconnect electrical plug similar to what wreckers use for jumpstart cables. It can be used front or rear and removed when not in use which is about 99.999999 percent of the time. The winch is for my Suburban.
Warn marketed the portable mount system---my dad invented it in its day when he worked there prior to retiring.
Others may have something similar. I cant testify to Warns goods anymore---I think like alot of companies have succumbed to getting by with the cheapest materials possible. AW Direct sells Ramsey winches for one.

 

[SnowRidge]

My neighbor has a 40HP MF (don't remember the model number). It slid off into a deep ditch at the bottom of a short but steep, muddy hill, at about a 45 degree angle, caught up on the edge of a culvert, with the potential to roll onto its top if the culvert gave way. We took one look at it and agreed my Branson couldn't pull it out without a serious block and tackle arrangement, which neither of us have.

So he called a wrecker. They came out with a standard wrecker, the kind they use for cars. The wrecker driver took one look and left.

They finally sent out one of those humungous wreckers that are used to recover wrecked semis. That driver still rigged a block and tackle arrangement, and then proceeded to pull the tractor out.

I agree with TractorLegend. No way is that dinky winch suitable for what you propose.

Edit: If your tractor is both stuck and on its side or leaning badly, you may need two or more lines, one or more to right it (or keep it upright) and one or more to pull it out.

 

[VictorW]

The major winch companies, like Ramsey and Warn, will tell you to have a winch that is rated at a minimum of 150% of the weight of the vehicle you intend to pull. Being stuck in mud or hung up on a rock or downed tree takes more pull than the weight of the tractor. I think that you would want a winch rated for 5000# to make it worth while.
I used my 8000# Warn winch on my truck to pull a friends pickup out that was burried in mud. I tied off to a large tree because my truck slid. Ended up using a snatch block which doubled the force to get him out.
Just my opinion but that 3000# winch probably won't do the job.