Front Winch Install

[JimR]

I decided to add a 12,000 pound front winch on my tractor for holding power while using my logging winch on frozen ground to pull in logs. The install was lots of fun making a perfect fitting H frame to wrap around my tractor frame. It did turn out nice and clean and I am happy with it. Now I just need to go try it out. I do have a 50 foot remote button for it.

 

[ovrszd]

Very nice. Follow up with a useage report.

 

[Rustyiron]

Looks like you did a nice job tucking that winch in there :thumbsup:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I decided to add a 12,000 pound front winch on my tractor for holding power while using my logging winch on frozen ground to pull in logs.

Be VERY carful holding a tractor back with a front winch while winching from the back! It really isn't all that hard to pull a tractor into two, especially if the log hooks something and jerks on the line. (shock loads)

It happens pretty often when some one pulls out a stuck tractor from the front, that's something I rarely do on a "frameless" tractor...

SR

 

[bcp]

Pull starts at about 1:10.

Russian tractor broken in half ))) - YouTube

Bruce

 

[JimR]

Very nice. Follow up with a useage report.

I will post a follow up on how it works out.

 

[JimR]

Be VERY carful holding a tractor back with a front winch while winching from the back! It really isn't all that hard to pull a tractor into two, especially if the log hooks something and jerks on the line. (shock loads)

It happens pretty often when some one pulls out a stuck tractor from the front, that's something I rarely do on a "frameless" tractor...

SR

I have that already in my mind as I was told this by another tractor owner. He said no jerking, go slow. Always check your bolts.

 

[JimR]

Pull starts at about 1:10.

Russian tractor broken in half ))) - YouTube

Bruce

That surely was nowhere near a normal situation. The rear wheels were buried below ground level. He was pulling the tractor at a 45 degree angle and it snapped off. I wonder if the trailer behind that tractor was loaded.

 

[bcp]

Tractors are seldom broken in half in a normal situation.



Bruce

 

[JimR]

Tractors are seldom broken in half in a normal situation.



Bruce

So true.

 

[Threepoint]

Nice install. That's a beast of a winch.

How is it affecting your ground clearance, especially over stumps or going uphill over rough stuff?

 

[JimR]

Nice install. That's a beast of a winch.

How is it affecting your ground clearance, especially over stumps or going uphill over rough stuff?

From what I can see the ground clearance is the same as the loader arms hanging down. I do not have an issue with climbing over things or stumps as I avoid them. The fuel tank and filter and other items under this tractor are vulnerable. I'll measure the clearance tomorrow and post it up with a few side shots of the winch. I have used it to hold my tractor in place while winching trees out on frozen ground.

 

[JimR]

From what I can see the ground clearance is the same as the loader arms hanging down. I do not have an issue with climbing over things or stumps as I avoid them. The fuel tank and filter and other items under this tractor are vulnerable. I'll measure the clearance tomorrow and post it up with a few side shots of the winch. I have used it to hold my tractor in place while winching trees out on frozen ground.

As is I now have 11 inches of clearance under the winch. If I remove the control box I will have 13 inches of clearance. Here are two side shot photos of how nice this fit in my bracket. I will have to fabricate a skid plate for the winch.

 

[Threepoint]

As is I now have 11 inches of clearance under the winch. If I remove the control box I will have 13 inches of clearance. Here are two side shot photos of how nice this fit in my bracket. I will have to fabricate a skid plate for the winch.

Thanks for posting, Jim.

 

[LittleBill21]

if thats the HF 12k, i would recommend removing the terminal covers on the bottom yellow red black, they are design to protect from the top side, there is a strong chance water will pool inside the boot, thats why the bottom stud (top stud for you) has no boot, i would put some dialectic on it and call it a day,

but yea get a skid plate, the control box is plastic, one hit and its done.

 

[JimR]

if thats the HF 12k, i would recommend removing the terminal covers on the bottom yellow red black, they are design to protect from the top side, there is a strong chance water will pool inside the boot, thats why the bottom stud (top stud for you) has no boot, i would put some dialectic on it and call it a day,

but yea get a skid plate, the control box is plastic, one hit and its done.

Good points for sure. It is a HF 12K winch. I do have a large tube of dialetric grease in my tool box for those terminals. I am being very careful where I go with my tractor until I get a skid plate fabbed up for the winch. My tractor resides in a heated garage that is very dry.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Looks good. Have you considered rotating the engage/disengage handle? I did it on a winch several years ago, I think it was called clocking or something.

Brett

 

[JimR]

Looks good. Have you considered rotating the engage/disengage handle? I did it on a winch several years ago, I think it was called clocking or something.

Brett

I wish I knew about flipping the lever around before I installed the winch. I'd have to remove the entire winch to clock it. The bolts that hold that end gear box set on are inside of the winch behind the spool. I will have to think about that for now. In the meantime I may just remove the lever just in case I hit something with it. It is only held on by a screw.

 

[Oldpath05]

What kinda winch is this on the back your Kioti that's pulling this tractor backwards with the brakes locked up?

 

[Rustyiron]

I decided to add a 12,000 pound front winch on my tractor for holding power while using my logging winch on frozen ground to pull in logs.

Frozen ground OldPath, although around here, it's becoming more mud.