Sizing a Farmi logging winch to my CUT, is winch too small?

[Piston]

I'm looking at a Farmi JL290 for sale (used).

Does anyone know if this is too small for my 39 PTO hp? I get mixed feelings about what the website says, it claims 17-25 hp min/max but then says it fits both cat 1 and cat 2 three point hitches. I don't know of a Cat 2 tractor with 25 hp or less


I'd really like to buy a used logging winch or skidding grapple but they don't come up used too often. Should I try the 290 or hold out for a 351? Would a 501 be too big for me?

 

[Tor Arne]

Should I try the 290

I use a similar winch on a 65 hp tractor, no problem. Farmi makes good winches so I would buy it.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

If the price is right why not give it a try and limit your loads. Other than the larger cable (can be a down side when pulling my hand), weighting 100 pounds more and pulling 1000 pound larger loads they look quite similar. Instead of working it at 540 RPM (full engine power) run the engine at more like 1000-1200 RPM and increase the speed of the winch so your tractor is making a lot less than 39 HP. You might wait 10 days or 10 years to find a used 351.

What kinds of loads do you plan to be pulling?

 

[Gordon Gould]

Piston the JL290 is the exact same winch I have. Your tractor could handle the next size larger winch but I see no problem putting the JL 290 on your tractor either. It is a good rugged solid built winch. I doubt your L4610 will tear it up with the common sense you have. From what I have seen from your NH pictures it should go good in those woods if that is where you will use it.

 

[Piston]

Gordon,
I was really hoping you would respond to this, thank you for the advice, I've read a lot of your posts regarding the winch. Do you have any problems with the angle of the PTO shaft coming out of the tractor, and down to the winch? I will be using it on my land in NH and those are fairly small trees.

Gale, the price is hard to nail down, but I do think it is a good deal. We haven't officially come to an agreement yet but I've offered him some cash, and a 5' Woods rotary cutter as partial trade. He said he'd email me pictures but I haven't heard from him yet, so this may not work out, but I hope it does.

Tor,
What winch do you use?


All,
Do you know if this winch has only an upper pulley, and no lower pulley to winch from? Does this pose any sort of problem if it's the case?

I called Northeast Implements and asked about the differences in the 351 vs 290. He said they were very similar but the main difference is the 290 has the PTO shaft only 9" high, whereas the 351 has the PTO shaft 14" high. He said the 290 is really meant for smaller tractors but mainly because of the lower PTO shaft.

I also see that the Wallenstein has the FX65 which seems very similar, and is rated to 45 PTO hp.

The one advantage I see to the 290 is that since it's lighter, I will be able to lift more, and put less stress on my top link. I'm really concerned with the stresses on my toplink.

 

[Tor Arne]

I use a Sandvik 3000.
And yes the 290 has only an upper pully, not a problem if you lower the blade to the ground when winching the heaviest logs.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Gordon,
I was really hoping you would respond to this, thank you for the advice, I've read a lot of your posts regarding the winch. Do you have any problems with the angle of the PTO shaft coming out of the tractor, and down to the winch? I will be using it on my land in NH and those are fairly small trees.

It is a short shaft and makes quite an angle but no, I don't have any problems. Remember it only runs under load intermittantly and at low RPMs if you are sensible. I run my pto at about 300 rpm with the winch. Its not like a bush hog or mower working hard and running 540 all day long.
BTW the pto shaft center on my tractor is 22" off the ground.

 

[Piston]

BTW the pto shaft center on my tractor is 22" off the ground.

Very helpful, thank you.

I think I will go for it. If for any reason there is a problem, I could always sell it and put the money towards a 351 or similar.

Do you ever winch whole trees? I'm wondering if I could winch and pull medium sized trees without too much trouble. Say, around 15-20" DBH?

 

[Piston]

I use a Sandvik 3000.
And yes the 290 has only an upper pully, not a problem if you lower the blade to the ground when winching the heaviest logs.

Please excuse my ignorance, as I've never operated one of these before.......

I've "read" that winching isn't necessarily what puts the most stress on the top link, but rather, when you lift the load and tow it through hilly or rough terrain. Is this something I should worry about? I think I'm probably being a little overly cautious, which I am certainly guilty of doing in the past.

 

[MrPete]

Piston, I have the 290 and use it on my MX 5100. I have had no issues. It will most certainly pull whole trees. I have yet to find a tree to stop it. I have had it snag and stop it but it should be a great winch for your tractor!

 

[Gordon Gould]

Do you ever winch whole trees? I'm wondering if I could winch and pull medium sized trees without too much trouble. Say, around 15-20" DBH?

I have very little experience pulling whole trees. I generally limb first. If I do leave any large limbs on a main firewood log I cut them part way thru so they will fold back. Whole trees can be tough, especially hardwood. So much depends on the shape and terain. There can be lots of things that want to plow into the ground. A nice spruce or fir can go pretty good. Can float right over stuff.
But I would say if you are thinking of routinely pulling 20" whole unlimbed trees it might be tough.

This is a 22" hard maple butt. It winched in fine but I doubt that I could have move the whoe tree.

 

[Tor Arne]

Please excuse my ignorance, as I've never operated one of these before.......

I've "read" that winching isn't necessarily what puts the most stress on the top link, but rather, when you lift the load and tow it through hilly or rough terrain. Is this something I should worry about? I think I'm probably being a little overly cautious, which I am certainly guilty of doing in the past.

It was really meant as a tip to save your handbrake from the load while winching over rough ground when the log hit the rocks and stumps. Sometimes I moved the tractor a couple of feet before I had time to release the lever on the winch. I do not know how The terrain is where you live, but some places that I have been to cut timber, I have relied on that I need to use the winch to help the tractor up the steepest slopes.

 

[Piston]

Great info guys and thank you. MrPete, I'm glad you chimed in as well, I think my tractor is pretty much identical to the MX5100 minus a few PTO hp, so if it works well for you then I'm sure it will be a good match.

I haven't heard back from the owner yet regarding the pics, so I can't say I'm terribly confident that this will work out, but as long as he doesn't back out of our deal then I will go for it. Ill give him another call tomorrow to see if I can get any more info. Thanks again fellas!

 

[NHbotanut]

Piston

I also have the Farmi 290. I love it. My tractor has no problem with it, and mine is considerably smaller ( B7610 ). Like Gordon, I limb the trees where they fall and only take out the logs.
Definetly pick up a self release snatch block as it will save you a ton of work/walking.

 

[Piston]

NHbotanut,
I like the screen you made for yours. Do you have a 4 in 1 bucket on your tractor? Or is that cylinder for a bucket grapple? That looks like a really nice and nimble woods setup you have!

 

[NHbotanut]

Piston,

It is a 4in1 bucket. I loved the W R Long grapple so much that I got their bucket when we built our house. I used it a lot for making and shaping the lawn.

The screen was an option for the winch when I bought it. I put the green styrofoam pads on so it would not damage the canopy.

 

[Piston]

Do you have a way to attach your chainsaw to the winch? I saw that the Wallenstein units have some sort of chainsaw holder.

I finally got in touch with the guy selling the winch, he said that his computer is having problems and he hasn't been able to email me back. The funny thing is, it turns out we're both have a mutual friend that we know pretty well, it's a small world!

We pretty much made a deal, but I told him that I'm just waiting to hear back from someone else regarding another implement I was interested in, and if I end up buying that then I won't be able to buy the winch, but I'll be happy either way so it's a win win for me

I'll keep you posted. :thumbsup:

 

[Tor Arne]

Do you have a way to attach your chainsaw to the winch?:

Take two pieces of waterproof plywood and make slot to the chainsaw bar in them and glue them together. Then fasten it in the desired location

 

[Piston]

Thanks for the tip on the plywood chainsaw scabbard!

Does anyone know where I can purchase choker chains? And also those chain slider things (name???) that go on the winch cable that I attach the chokers to? I'd like to order 3 or 4 sets, or just order the chain hooks and sliders and make them up myself.
What size chain should I use, 1/4" or 3/8"?

Also, how does the 'choker system' work? I've never used one of these winches. Do you "choke" the winch cable around the log, then use the sliders for additional logs? Or do you never use the winch cable itself as a 'choker'?

 

[Piston]

Piston


Definetly pick up a self release snatch block as it will save you a ton of work/walking.

Where do I find one of these?