Logging with a BX25

[Briyon]

I recently bought a BX25 and wanted peoples experience/opinions on using it with the Farmi JL290 logging winch. My dealer had one winch left (Farmi doesn't make this small winch anymore apparently). I have 20 acres of mostly woods and an outdoor furnace. I want to use the winch to make the 10 cords of wood I need each year easier to gather. I was wondering if anyone has any experience using this size tractor to log? Before I lay down the $3K for this logging winch I would like to know that I can actually pull logs with it.

Thanks,

Brian

PS I just joined the forum...great information here!

 

[czechsonofagun]

I use my B1750 for logging and no winch - or wench for that matter

What I use is the dirt scoop without the scoop, just the frame. I hook the log to the frame with chain and raise it up to make it slide easier. This way I am able to move decent size logs, of course not 3' feet in diameter. Just use low and 4x4 and you will be amazed what that little beast can do.

 

[newbury]

Be careful of your ground clearance, you've got less than 9".

I looked at the BX's closely before I bought my ride, and I'm planning on using it for small scale logging. I felt the extra 4" of clearance was a good tradeoff.

(Also the HST fan, which may be fixed on the 25)

 

[milkman]

I use my BX2200 to drag wood, and unless it's where you can't reach it, like on a hillside too steep to drive on, I can't see a need for the Farmi. It would be nice to have one, but my money may be tighter than yours. Even before deciding on the winch or cable or rope, you'd be wise to build or buy a skidplate to protect the hydro cooling fan, it will get destroyed if you don't, and it ain't fun to change. The BX is a little bull and gets around in tight spots in the woods where I can't get a bigger tractor. I use a chain and have a chain hook on the TPH so I can lift the end of the log, gives me more traction and helps keep the log out of the dirt. If the tree is too big to drag, I just cut off a chunk and make another trip. A tractor and a good chainsaw and wood splitter makes me enjoy woodcutting now.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

My BX25 has a factory plate covering the fan but a wayward stick can still get it. Other than a total cover that would impede air flow I don't know what can be done to proptect it but you do want it protected.

 

[milkman]

Here's on I made from some pieces of metal I had laying around, this goes on when the MMM is off and don't have an air flow problem.

 

[Briyon]

I also see that Bro-tek makes skid plates for both the front and the back. Anyone have experience with those? Any idea what the sell for? I have an email into him but have not heard back.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[ultrarunner]

I also see that Bro-tek makes skid plates for both the front and the back. Anyone have experience with those? Any idea what the sell for? I have an email into him but have not heard back.

Thanks,

Brian

I have one on the mid section of my BX... I wouldn't go in the woods without it...

 

[bstrom]

10 cords is quite a lot of wood so you may want the winch, especially if you can't get into where you have cut the log because of ground clearance issues with the BX. I cut 3 to 4 cords and haul it out with my B2620. Sometimes I haul 4 foot or 16 inch pieces with my forks or bucket if i can't get to the tree and maybe drag one log behind me with my three point hitch. Here's my simple setup. no winch.

You may only be able to pull smaller logs with the winch because of the light weight of your tractor. I would ask the dealer about that if you don't get a response on here. A guy at my dealer told me the winches don't work that well with the smaller tractors, something to check out.

In the pictures that's a pretty steep hill I am coming up and that small wet log weighs quite a bit so the small tractors are pretty tough. It can pull a lot more weight than that even with the loader full.

 

[Briyon]

bstrom - yes my concern is that a lot of my property is pretty hilly. I was hoping to stay on the trails I have and dragging the cable to the logs rather than trying to get to them with the tractor. I am pretty sure I will invest in the skid plates as well.

Brian

 

[Maine wild blueberries]

I have a John Deere 4310 with a FEL and Farmi winch would not want to cut wood with out the winch. I only have to get with in hundred feet of the tree because the winch has 150 feet of cable. the wife and I have harvested 80 cord this summer clearing the blueberry field. For selective cutting I would also get a snatch block for pulling around trees I don't want to damage. and access roads only have to be 200 hundred feet apart.
Wayne
PS I haul between 1/3 and 1/2 a cord to a time with reasonable going

 

[milkman]

bstrom - yes my concern is that a lot of my property is pretty hilly. I was hoping to stay on the trails I have and dragging the cable to the logs rather than trying to get to them with the tractor. I am pretty sure I will invest in the skid plates as well.

Brian

\

Sounds like the Farmi will work good in your case, if I understand it correctly, the Farmi sets on the ground and digs in as you winch the log so it should work ok on a small tractor. Show us pictures when you get up and running.:thumbsup:

 

[Briyon]

Does anyone have experience or Knowledge of the Wallenstien FX65 Logging Winch and how it compares with the Farmi. I found a used Wallenstien (Says used one time) for $2400 compared to the price of the new Farmi JL 290 $3035.00 I just want to make sure of the quality of the product. I like the price but I also know you get what you pay for...

Thanks,

Brian

 

[Carykong]

If you want to stay on the trails and off the inclines,a skidder winch is a good decision. On the other hand, you BX has a low center of gravity compared to most compacts and is agile. If it was my wallet,I would skid with just a chain and some tongs and decide later if the winch would really pay for itself. We all know that you can never have enough attachments for your tractor. Right?

 

[ChuckinNH]

There is another option which is probably much less expensive. NovaJack has a large assortment of logging equipment designed to be used with ATV's. I don't see why it couldn't be used equally as well with a BX. They offer a capstain winch that is very portable, and looks like it works well. Here is a link to their offerings for an alternative perspective.

NovaJack

 

[Briyon]

I did look into smaller winches or ATV winches and it is definitely a less expensive option. The problems I see with these type winches are...

1) Pulling capacity - typically they don't have as much pulling capacity.
2) Blade - the blade that digs into the ground and prevents pulling the tractor to the log
3) Heavy Duty - The actual logging winch seems much more heavy duty
4) PTO Driven vs Battery Driven
5) Cable length

 

[beenthere]

I cut and move from 6-10 cords a year, on fairly steep woods slopes with my Deere 4300. I have boulders and old stumps to get around, as well as downed trees not fully decayed. I wouldn't want to try it with smaller tires and less ground clearance (even with a pan).
I've toyed with the farmi winch idea, but have stuck to just tossing the tongs on the iMatch (some don't like that method, but it works for me). To skid out the hard-to-reach logs, I have 100' of cable that I can use through a snatch block or two, and keep the pulling tractor on the woods trails. Doesn't take much longer to run this cable out than it does to hook with the Farmi winch (I work with a Farmi winch at a neighbors woods so am quite familiar with how handy they are, but know they take some planning to schedule when they are mounted on the tractor). I like the flexibility of not having the winch on the tractor. Only have one, and flexibility is key for me.

But, all said and done, ... give it a shot and see if it works out for you. If not, either sell the Farmi or upgrade to a bigger tractor. Any excuse to go bigger works for me.

 

[Chilly807]

Another thing to consider is how much the winch weighs before you hang logs from it to haul out. Not sure what the lift capacity of the BX25 is, but I think you might be pretty close to the limit if not over.

I use a skidding frame on the 3ph of my L3400, it has 4 hooks for chokers. I've had enough log weight on the frame that the 3ph wouldn't lift it, and the frame weighs maybe 60 lbs at most.

I use a snatch block and a skidding cone to guide the logs around trees, over deadfalls, etc. It makes for a lot less walking back and forth to un-snag logs, and takes a good deal of the strain off the hauling gear and tractor. With less HP to begin with, you might find a cone a very good addition with or without the winch.

The link is here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/166815-log-skidding-cone.html

Sean

 

[waggy5]

I would buy the 3 pt. winch. I have one on my Newholland boomer 1030 with FEL, and one on my Newholland TD5050 with FEL. You will save so much time and energy by using a 3 pt. logging winch. You will cause less damage to your woodlot by not having to get right up to the tree to winch it out, you will be able to pull logs/trees from across wet holes that you can't get across, you will be able to pull at least two 10" to 12" DBH trees full length with your BX, you will be able to pull down hung up trees from a distance with this winch, you will be able to pull yourself out very easily-or somebody else! The list is endlist for which you should by the 3 pt. winch! I skidd out between 300 and 350 cord of firewood and about 25000 board feet of logs every year utilizing the TD5050 and a Farmi JL601 winch and my Boomer 1030 and a Farmi JL290. You will never regret it.

 

[MarkV]

Think I would also check if the Farmi will fit the BX without a lot of modification. I know the BX models have problems with some implements attachment points and the winch is a good size piece of equipment.

MarkV