3 pt Logging Winch Advice

[motownbrowne]

For you who own winches and grapples - Which would you get first if your budget only allowed one?

Winch. Of course I don't own both, but the winch is useful for more than skidding. If you get a tree hung up, you can winch it over. You can use the winch to aid in directional felling. Can't to any of that with a grapple.

Edit: are we talking about skidding grapples on the three point, or grapples on the FEL?

 

[4570Man]

I don't own both. I would get the grapple first. I have a long 1/2" cable that I hook to the tractor for pulling. I don't have anywhere to skid wood. I could only use a winch for tree felling. I use my grapple all the time. Without the grapple I probably wouldn't heat with wood.

 

[Citydude]

From what I've seen, on skidding winches, the synthetic rope get's damaged easier in the woods and breaks down with age, do to the sun degrading it.

I've seen several post of guys unhappy with how fast snags and "rubbing" destroys synthetic rope...

Make mine steel pleaseee!

SR

I agree. When I was in the mining business, there was a need to move from the wire rope tow ropes for pulling equipment to the nylon for safety reasons. The nylon proved to be worthy of the task however it was prone to abrasions.

 

[Jim Timber]

I'd also go root grapple first if I were to do it again.

Skidding with a winch is way better than pulling a chain. Picking up the whole tree with the FEL never leaving the seat beats both of them if you can reach the log with the tractor.

Pulling snags down is a great use for a skidding winch.

 

[newbury]

Fel, sorry for confusion.

 

[motownbrowne]

Fel, sorry for confusion.

I only have the winch and a set of forks for the FEL. I'd probably get a grapple first if you're starting from scratch. And then keep your eyes peeled for a used winch.

 

[BWSwede]

Sawyer Rob,

I am curious to know why you prefer a ratchet brake over a band brake.

Best,
BWSwede

 

[Greenland South]

For you who own winches and grapples - Which would you get first if your budget only allowed one?
/edit - sorry grapple on the FEL

My grapple came first

 

[Gordon Gould]

I got the winch first. Had it forever before I got a grapple

It is one of those questions only you can decide. Depends on your terrain and your tractors ability to get around in it and how much wood you cut. No sense having a grapple if all the trees you want are 100 feet in the woods where you can't get. On the other hand if you cut your wood out of the fence line or close to the road side there is no need for a winch.

But make no mistake they are both good to have if you work with wood a lot

gg

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Sawyer Rob,

I am curious to know why you prefer a ratchet brake over a band brake.

Best,
BWSwede

Absolute positive engagement, bullet proof, easy to release and never needs adjustment! What's not to like?

SR

 

[BWSwede]

Absolute positive engagement, bullet proof, easy to release and never needs adjustment! What's not to like? SR

Thanks Rob.

I didn't like the ratchet brake on my winch so I switched it out to a band brake.

What I don't like about ratchet brakes is that, at least on my model of winch, it was not an automatic engagement. It also took another hand to operate while the first hand was engaging the pull rope. I also couldn't stand the clacking sound it made while engaged when the cable was being pulled in.

The band brake on my winch is automatic engagement and I can cinch up the load using only one hand. To release the brake under load it takes two hands with a ratchet brake and only one with a band brake. It is also easier to set up a band brake for remote operation than it is ratchet brake, which I plan to do in the next couple of years.


Best,
BWSwede

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My Wallenstein winch brake, doesn't make any noise, you just pull the second rope when you want the brake on while releasing the "power in" rope.

To release the brake, you just "bump" the power in rope and the brake is released...

There is no steady "clacking" brake noise...

SR