DIY logging winch build

[davedj1]

So after many calculations and discussions about parts I have a plan.
If you are interested I have the build thread here :http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/log-skidding-winch-diy.313665/
Thank you for the input and hopefully I can get this done in the near future as I'm hoping to skid some logs as soon as the leaves are gone.

 

[rustyshakelford]

So after many calculations and discussions about parts I have a plan.
If you are interested I have the build thread here :http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/log-skidding-winch-diy.313665/
Thank you for the input and hopefully I can get this done in the near future as I'm hoping to skid some logs as soon as the leaves are gone.

Holy smokes, your making it from scratch. I had an old pto chain drive winch you could've had that was a bad boy. Wouldn't been easy to adapt for your pto and saved a ton of time

Keep it up. Looking forward to seeing how it goes

Brett

 

[Rustyiron]

subscribed (AS)

 

[davedj1]

Small update. I ended up having a local machinist take a piece of 2.5" solid round bar 8 3/8" long and run a 1 1/8" hole through it then bore it to 1.25" diameter in about 1" on each end to accept the bearings. It was almost a wash money wise to pay him than to buy the DOM , the type x hub adapters and weld it all together then machine in a couple of internal snap ring grooves. It's all done in one strong package now and saved me two welds.

Built a makeshift positioner to weld it up

 

[farm boy00]

Small update. I ended up having a local machinist take a piece of 2.5" solid round bar 8 3/8" long and run a 1 1/8" hole through it then bore it to 1.25" diameter in about 1" on each end to accept the bearings. It was almost a wash money wise to pay him than to buy the DOM , the type x hub adapters and weld it all together then machine in a couple of internal snap ring grooves. It's all done in one strong package now and saved me two welds.

Built a makeshift positioner to weld it up

That's some big bolts for those rollers. What are they from??

 

[Oldpath05]

One good thing with a 3-point winch is it keeps tractors from flipping over when pulling logs, stuck vehicles, especially the older tractors without ROPS.........But to make/build a fully functional pto winch will require some/lot of skill with the RIGHT tooling accessibility. An average pto winch will run around $4k+or-. So will be interesting to see how you do on cost of materials, not counting labor, that can be hard to figure in, for me lot of time is spent on planning, so I figure the time in after, than I know how long it takes after the learning curve is straightened out and that would be the more realistic cost of a build.

If you can build a winch to do this, I'll give you 5 stars>>>> Big Hemlock log pt.3 - YouTube

 

[davedj1]

One good thing with a 3-point winch is it keeps tractors from flipping over when pulling logs, stuck vehicles, especially the older tractors without ROPS.........But to make/build a fully functional pto winch will require some/lot of skill with the RIGHT tooling accessibility. An average pto winch will run around $4k+or-. So will be interesting to see how you do on cost of materials, not counting labor, that can be hard to figure in, for me lot of time is spent on planning, so I figure the time in after, than I know how long it takes after the learning curve is straightened out and that would be the more realistic cost of a build.

If you can build a winch to do this, I'll give you 5 stars>>>> Big Hemlock log pt.3 - YouTube

That doesn't look to be that big of a tree, I think I should be able to pull it on flat ground. We'll see.
As for cost of material, so far I am into it for two hundred fifty bucks, that's with the shaft turned, bearings are on the way from McMaster Carr, 60 tooth sprocket from surplus supply, a few tidbits and the stuff I pictured from TSC. Right now I have about two hours into it. I have a bet with my buddy that I can build it for under 300, I know I can't but I bet it won't be much more.

 

[davedj1]

The bearings have a 5/8" ID so I used 5/8 bolts. They are intended to go on the inside of the turret of my log crane if I ever get back to that project!

 

[davedj1]

I received the needle bearings today That's great service, I ordered them on Sunday evening and got them today Now I need some help, I don't know how hard they are supposed to go into the drum. I had it machined to 1.25 which is what the bearings measure. I just hate to ruin them. ( I ordered two extra though ) I know they shouldn't just slide in but I don't know how hard they are supposed to be pressed in.

 

[bigdeano]

What kind of needle bearings are they? The ones with the thin drawn cup aren't super critical as to hole size. If they have a thick ground outer race the hole size has to be spot on, like a ball bearing. 1.25 isn't an accurate enough measurement to know if they'll go in. Does that mean 1.2500?

With bearings you pretty much need to know the exact hole size to know if they'll go in. If you get it part way in and get it stuck you have a problem.

Retired machinist here.

 

[motoman3b]

Freeze the bearing and heat the pipe to make things go together easier

 

[Oldpath05]

That doesn't look to be that big of a tree, I think I should be able to pull it on flat ground. We'll see.
As for cost of material, so far I am into it for two hundred fifty bucks, that's with the shaft turned, bearings are on the way from McMaster Carr, 60 tooth sprocket from surplus supply, a few tidbits and the stuff I pictured from TSC. Right now I have about two hours into it. I have a bet with my buddy that I can build it for under 300, I know I can't but I bet it won't be much more.

I'd call it a medium log, but big for my size tractor, it was hemlock fresh off the stump so it was heavy to. A few specs to compare log for log for when you pull your first log. This was used for main carrying beam, the first but cut sawed out a full 7-1/2" X 13-1/2" X 20' 2" , so the first but log topped out at around 17" at 20' long then there was another 14-16' log after that, the final top was 6", total length was around 34-36'.

So to get my 5 stars, you have to pull that size hemlock log with your $500.00 pto winch uphill at a 30ｰ slope, and winch it at the same winch speed. I recommend a 5/16/8mm high strength winch cable, I have 8mm on mine.

 

[Oldpath05]

Freeze the bearing and heat the pipe to make things go together easier

Or freeze the ice cream, heat the chocolate syrup, makes it taste better..........wheat germ optional.

 

[davedj1]

What kind of needle bearings are they? The ones with the thin drawn cup aren't super critical as to hole size. If they have a thick ground outer race the hole size has to be spot on, like a ball bearing. 1.25 isn't an accurate enough measurement to know if they'll go in. Does that mean 1.2500?

With bearings you pretty much need to know the exact hole size to know if they'll go in. If you get it part way in and get it stuck you have a problem.

Retired machinist here.

And there in lies the problem! LOL I can get you a picture of the actual bearing if you would like?

 

[bigdeano]

I guess all you can do is try to put them in with a press or a threaded rod and a couple washers and nuts. Make sure they stay straight.

 

[davedj1]

I'd call it a medium log, but big for my size tractor, it was hemlock fresh off the stump so it was heavy to. A few specs to compare log for log for when you pull your first log. This was used for main carrying beam, the first but cut sawed out a full 7-1/2" X 13-1/2" X 20' 2" , so the first but log topped out at around 17" at 20' long then there was another 14-16' log after that, the final top was 6", total length was around 34-36'.

So to get my 5 stars, you have to pull that size hemlock log with your $500.00 pto winch uphill at a 30ｰ slope, and winch it at the same winch speed. I recommend a 5/16/8mm high strength winch cable, I have 8mm on mine.

That's a big load no doubt! My tractor is 50 hp, only 2 wheel drive and no chains yet. I'm not sure I could haul that log. LOL
I'll take some pics and maybe some videos once I get her up and going.
To be honest, if the winch works with the cable I have to my satisfaction I may just spring for the synthetic rope. I have synthetic rope on my 10K winch on my Jeep and I love it.
I'll keep you posted, I'm hoping to pick up some steel today to start the box to hold it all.

You wouldn't think a piece of 2.5" OD x .250 wall round DOM would be that hard to track down! LOL I need about a 4" piece. I may end up back at the machinists.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Subscribed

 

[Oldpath05]

You wouldn't think a piece of 2.5" OD x .250 wall round DOM would be that hard to track down! LOL I need about a 4" piece. I may end up back at the machinists.

This is where the right tooling comes into play when building something like a winch, with a lathe getting the right size round to fit inside something round is no problem or if you have a best friend that's a machinist is even better. This is going to be an interesting build.

 

[davedj1]

Well I made a trek to a steel supplier in VT today to pick up a few things for the build, I half heartedly asked if they had any 2 1/2" .025 wall round tube and the owner says "sure" SOB! LOL
So after a quick trip inside the building I found what I needed between the scrap bin and the drop bin and a 22" piece of 2 1/2" DOM so now I'm just waiting on my stuff from surpluscenter to get here. They don't seem to be real quick on shipping like we've come to expect from some places...lol
Stay tuned!

 

[Rustyiron]

I'm just waiting on my stuff from surpluscenter to get here. They don't seem to be real quick on shipping like we've come to expect from some places...lol
Stay tuned!

I think it's the "goodies" that we're waiting on that makes it seem like a long time I know the feeling and they are not the speed we've gotten used to for sure.