Log winch

[JeepHead]

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.

The forestry winches have a blade that sets down into the ground and take the stress off the tractor while also giving the winch a very solid platform to winch from. That's why I am considering a forestry winch verses just mounting a winch onto the back of the tractor which would be MUCH cheaper. I could do an electric winch off of the draw bar for under $400 otherwise.... And I have contemplated that route as well.

 

[old and tired]

....I could do an electric winch off of the draw bar for under $400 otherwise....

That's been talked about for a while, your alternator can not keep your batteries charged enough, yes... you can put a bigger alternator on and have a couple of deep cycle batteries installed but the line speed is super slow (they are made for power, not speed).

Not to mention, duty cycle stinks on electrical winches, too...

 

[WinterDeere]

That's been talked about for a while, your alternator can not keep your batteries charged enough, yes... you can put a bigger alternator on and have a couple of deep cycle batteries installed but the line speed is super slow (they are made for power, not speed).

Not to mention, duty cycle stinks on electrical winches, too...

This is what I have on my trailer. It works out by having two group 39 deep cycle batteries, which gives me enough charge to load the trailer. Then they must slowly recharge off the truck alternator, while I drive home with the load, unload it, and drive back to the site to load up again.

Unless you want to mount a few large batteries and a charge controller on your tractor, and/or take a lot of breaks between pulls, this is not the way to go. Figure 150 amps in any hard pull, doing some simple math on amp-hours to determine the amount of battery you'll need to cushion against your alternator and other alternator loads.

It's not a complicated problem, but it is a real problem to work out before implementation. Nothing is free.

 

[Jstpssng]

The forestry winches have a blade that sets down into the ground and take the stress off the tractor while also giving the winch a very solid platform to winch from. That's why I am considering a forestry winch verses just mounting a winch onto the back of the tractor which would be MUCH cheaper. I could do an electric winch off of the draw bar for under $400 otherwise.... And I have contemplated that route as well.

I think you are on the right track. Used winches are hard to find so if you take care of it and eventually decide you don't need it anymore, recouping much of your money should be easy.

 

[JeepHead]

Yeah I guess I should have said I "had" contemplated that route but decided that wasn't the best option for me. It will be a forestry winch when I do go that route. I have been pulling what I could out so far with a long chain and recovery strap. It's worked but I am slowly getting to the point I will have to buy a much longer steel cable to reach.

 

[WinterDeere]

Yeah I guess I should have said I "had" contemplated that route but decided that wasn't the best option for me. It will be a forestry winch when I do go that route. I have been pulling what I could out so far with a long chain and recovery strap. It's worked but I am slowly getting to the point I will have to buy a much longer steel cable to reach.

For me, the big advantage of cable is that you can run it thru blocks. I keep three of these in my toolbox:

Amazon.com

Another option is dyneema or vectran line, much lighter and easier to transport than chain or cable, but very low abrasion resistance. You would never choke directly onto a log with hi-tech line, but you can use it to attach to a choker chain or cable, and then run that thru blocks to the tractor. The nice thing about line, versus cable, is that it's super easy to splice (if you go single-braid), and you can tie it off at any length with a bowline or a simple 2:1 to a figure-8 on a bight.

Check out Amsteel Blue, if interested in this option.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Everybody should work the way they want. There are lots of variables, terrain (as oldnsloe mentioned) and wood lot characteristics are two big ones. For me a forestry winch is the way to go. I wouldn't get very far w/o one. I was working in this area last January.

A link to pictures of one tree I pulled out.

Tractors and wood! Show your pics

A buddy of mine reached out on Thursday, asking if the splitter and I were free for a whole day of work this past Saturday. An old boss of his had asked for help getting some wood put up for the winter. I rarely have plans, and the Rugged made needed a proper workout since I replaced the main...

www.tractorbynet.com

gg

 

[dougtrr2]

I have a Farmi winch I use with my Kubota BX24 and I have been well satisfied. Definitely consider a self releasing snatch block with your purchase. In my tight hilly forest I would be lost without it.

Make sure the drag is properly set. I didn't and I paid the price (literally). Had major damage from a near miss tornado. I had a 12" hickory tree snapped 25' up and hanging down. I connected my winch and thought I might be able to pull and release a few times to get the top to break loose. The drag was not set properly and I did not notice I was making a massive birds nest in my winch. It took an angle grinder to get it loose. The good news was I only lost about 5' of cable. The bad news was it was at the almost exact middle of my 180' cable.

Doug in SW IA

 

[AndyMA]

I have a Farmi winch I use with my Kubota BX24 and I have been well satisfied. Definitely consider a self releasing snatch block with your purchase. In my tight hilly forest I would be lost without it.

Make sure the drag is properly set. I didn't and I paid the price (literally). Had major damage from a near miss tornado. I had a 12" hickory tree snapped 25' up and hanging down. I connected my winch and thought I might be able to pull and release a few times to get the top to break loose. The drag was not set properly and I did not notice I was making a massive birds nest in my winch. It took an angle grinder to get it loose. The good news was I only lost about 5' of cable. The bad news was it was at the almost exact middle of my 180' cable.

Doug in SW IA

I anyone is interested I have a very lightly used Farmi L501 10,000 pound log winch for sale. Comes with a self releasing snatch block

Located in Woodstock Conn

Andy

 

[oldtimer 66]

I think I have mentioned this before but my wood lot is all on a side hill. I now have the Wallenstein FX 110 with remote. The side hill with the tractor was a little nerving using chains and getting in and out of the tractor several times to make a short hookup. What really happened was that my hip started to bother me. The cab on a 4320 is not that big and I had to twist on my one leg to get in and out cab. Now with the winch I park the tractor at a convenient spot that maybe I am going to winch several logs. I work outside that cab, I do all of the hook ups and head to the landing. My hip still bothers me but I think the winch has slowed down the progression.