Log winch

[WinterDeere]

A winch is a nice feature in terrain that you can’t safely drive on like hill sides or low swampy ground.

Yeah, I was thinking about that, after posting. Even then, I'd think a long cable or chain that can be attached to the log and then the tractor operated from a safe place, would be a heck of a lot cheaper and easier to store when not in use.

I keep about 75 - 100 feet of steel cable along with two or three heavy snatch blocks on my trailer, along with 100 feet of 5/16" chain, for this purpose. The snatch blocks are attached to local trees or stumps using either 2" straps or chain, to steer the cable as needed, and then I can skid the logs over 200 feet and around obstacles, using either the tractor or the winch on my trailer.

Maybe the OP is looking to use this much more frequently, and has a good case for needing one, so I wasn't intending to steer anyone away from what they really need. I was just suggesting there might be ways to get the same job done with items that are cheaper, easier to store, and might find more frequent use in other applications.

 

[ericm979]

A winch is a nice feature in terrain that you can’t safely drive on like hill sides or low swampy ground

That's why I got one. With a chain or cable I could only do pulls where there was room to run the tractor as far as the pull I needed to do. My woods are to thick and steep for that to work in most places. The winch and a quick release snatch block really open up the possibilities.

It's also faster to do multiple pulls from one station with the winch than to disconnect the cable, back the tractor up and pull the cable back. You only have to walk back to the next log pulling the cable.

For a few cords a year it's not a necessity but it sure it useful.

 

[WinterDeere]

That's why I got one. With a chain or cable I could only do pulls where there was room to run the tractor as far as the pull I needed to do.

Definitely a good point. But the sailor in me gets some cheap thrills out of rigging.

My winch has a pull of 7500#, but skidding most logs takes less than 1000#. So, I often rig up 2:1's to double the speed of the pull, which would also cut the distance required for the tractor in half. Even 3:1's and 4:1's are pretty easy, but require a second cable.

The 2:1 is easy, just fix one end of the cable to a fixed object (stump), the other end to your log choker, and then attach a snatch block in the middle to your tractor. Each foot the tractor travels will move the log two feet.

For a 4:1, just repeat that twice. End of cable to fixed object, other end to log choker. Second cable between fixed object and snatch block on first cable. Second snatch block in middle of second cable to your tractor. At some point, this becomes more work to set up than you're saving with just repositioning a 2:1 rig.

My sailboat, although relatively small, has similar block and tackle type rigs up to 16:1 (e.g. vang). With a 100 pull, I can apply 1600 lb. of pressure, ignoring small friction losses and line stretch (both which trend toward zero when pulling slow). But more importantly for the above, pulling the rig out 6 inches on a 16:1 purchase eats up 8 feet of line!

 

[2manyrocks]

Flatly amazing what adding one additional pulley will do for pulling power.

 

[CalG]

That's why I got one. With a chain or cable I could only do pulls where there was room to run the tractor as far as the pull I needed to do. My woods are to thick and steep for that to work in most places. The winch and a quick release snatch block really open up the possibilities.

It's also faster to do multiple pulls from one station with the winch than to disconnect the cable, back the tractor up and pull the cable back. You only have to walk back to the next log pulling the cable.

For a few cords a year it's not a necessity but it sure it useful.

And just think of all the wear and tear on the tractor is avoided by doing the heavy dragging with the winch firmly stuck in the earth! And I know what great lengths TBN members will go to in order to save wear and tear on their tractors!

Those "little winches" that hang off the front or back, with no ground blade just puzzle me. Unless one has a 4 ton tractor....;-)

 

[Jstpssng]

They're pretty simple really, and all are similar in design. This looks as robust as the next on the market and should work well for you.

 

[CalG]

Been wanting to purchase a log winch for my tractor. Anyone have any experience with this one?

8800lbs 3-Point Hitch Forestry Log Skidding Winch, 200ft Cable Length, 25-60 HP Tractor, Category 1 Hookup, FW8800

The MechMaxx FW8800 3-Point Hitch Forestry Logging Winch is perfect for 30-50 HP tractors, offering a powerful 8800 lb pulling capacity. Purchase and enjoy free shipping within the United States and surprise discounts.

mechmaxx.com

At north of 600 pounds

That's not a bad price for steel!

But there are others in the range to look at/

https://vermont.craigslist.org/search/gra?query=winch#search=1~gallery~0~2

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

Fransgard V4000 owner. Very solid piece.
I’ll move logs around to keep my glass cab out of the woods. Rip hung up trees down to ground level. Reverse pull large trees I don’t want deeper in the woods out of the way.
I bought it very lightly used for 1500 a few years ago.

 

[JeepHead]

Yeah I literally have 100's of downed trees laying all over my property and many of them are down over steep hills that I wouldn't want to take my tractor. That's the reason for the winch. I may possibly be able to use a long cable and snatch blocks strapped to trees to get them out of but it would certainly be easier with a winch. Thanks for all the feedback fellers, I have some ideas to ponder now.

 

[2manyrocks]

One caution that comes to mind is that these winches exert considerable pulling force. If a tree were to hang up on something while being pulled up a steep slope, I suspect it could pull a L2502 down a slope. A redirect could help reduce this risk by parking the tractor in a safer spot, and then using the redirect to make the pull up the slope.