Adding a "bumper" winch

crooked ridge · Mar 7, 2022

A buoy would make a good way to pull a log, I would think. Also I have a pto winch I would part with, it is a tulsa not sure of capacity but I am guessing 20,000 lbs. It is off a power company line (digger-derrick truck) I have a pto shaft with it. You would have to make a carrier to mount it.

Gord Baker · Mar 7, 2022

If you have the pull room, a single or double block will do it easier, without the expense of a winch.

barts · Mar 7, 2022

My tractor is really small, but with some ballast weight. 4wd and chains I can skid some good size tree sections. Our trees are often 80-100 feet tall, so they have to be cut into sections to snake them out anyway. For larger stuff I built a log arch; this is handy when I want to mill the logs, since it keep the crap out of the bark.

- Bart

newts53 · Mar 7, 2022

ROUSTABOUT said:
My brother and I actually log for money. We use a skidder and a tractor. On the tractor we had a hydraulic grapple. Then I added a hydraulic tow truck winch. Then we bought a Farmi.

But in your case, just use chains. Cut a 3 link piece and put a hook on each end. That's the fastest way to take up your slack and get another bite. I pick up chain at pawn shops. Can't have too much chain.

Great idea. So simple.

rlipeles · Mar 7, 2022

Mtsoxfan said:
Does it make sense to attach a winch to a tractor to help act as a logger? I see HF has a 12k winch on sale and was thinking...
I don't have many logs to move, dozen or so, but they are on a slope I don't care to drive my tractor down. It is steep.

It can also help pull you out if you get bogged down in water, mud or whatever.

k5pat · Mar 7, 2022

Mtsoxfan said:
If I only had an end piece of an alluminum guard rail...
That would be a great sled imho

A junk yard auto hood makes a good sled.

rambelingman · Mar 7, 2022

Mtsoxfan said:
Does it make sense to attach a winch to a tractor to help act as a logger? I see HF has a 12k winch on sale and was thinking...
I don't have many logs to move, dozen or so, but they are on a slope I don't care to drive my tractor down. It is steep.

You could also purchase break away snatch blocks and cable to pull the trees up to a landing.

bruceha2000 · Mar 7, 2022

And for another, opposite, opinion. KNOWING it would be slow, I bought a Champion 4,500 lb winch at TSC. I chose it specifically because it has a wireless remote even though it has only a 35' cable. That way I can be up by the log being pulled to make sure it doesn't get hung up. I mounted the winch to a piece of plate steel with "keepers" underneath spaced for the forks. When mounted the plate is connected back to the tractor frame. In use the forks are on the ground, there is to stress on the loader.

Now why do this instead of pulling with the tractor? Well I do that too but when you have to get a log out and have no room to pull a distance, going back and forth with the tractor is a pain. On, pull forward, off, remove the chain from the drawbar and get it out of the way, back the tractor up, reattach chain, rinse repeat. I prefer to leave the tractor planted than dig ruts in the trail.

I'm not pulling full logs if they are large. Depending on the diameter I cut the tree to 8-12' lengths. I only winch those to the trail then can use the quick hitch as a logging arch to pull them to an open area where I can pick them up with the forks (no 3rd function/grapple) and carry them through the field back to the barn where I do the bucking and splitting.

Yes I have to pull the winch cable back out every 35' and reconnect it into the pulling line (12,000 extra low stretch line)/tow straps/chain (yeah I have a real hodge podge of stuff), yes it is slow. I leave the tractor running so the battery doesn't die. I've not had the winch overheat. I don't pull very many trees, just enough for winter firewood. If I pulled a large quantity I'd fork over for a logging winch, would love a nice Wallenstein, but for the amount I do the cost is not justified.

Mtnmnstr · Mar 7, 2022

I'm looking at putting a PTO barrel wench, I was a Wench Monkey on a racing sailboat when I was younger. Loved them.

FERLING · Mar 7, 2022

Mtsoxfan said:
Does it make sense to attach a winch to a tractor to help act as a logger? I see HF has a 12k winch on sale and was thinking...
I don't have many logs to move, dozen or so, but they are on a slope I don't care to drive my tractor down. It is steep.

The only way to go but its expense but satisfying !

https://www.hud-son.com/product/35m-uniforest-log-skidding-winch/

Created a winch system just like you are thinking. Used it once and sold it to a fellow that just wanted something to drag a few logs up a mountain.
I bit the bullet on cost and purchased a Hudson 45M. 100% satisfied with it and basically if you take care of it you will be able to get most of your money back if you decide to sell it.
I tried to find a used one and the few I found were priced 80% of new cost and sold on first day of listing. Most people buy one and end up leaving it to their beneficiaries.
Once you own one you don't want to do without it.
Your cheap alternative is to by enough cable and pullys to pull up hill. They also make a motor winch ($1,000.00) that when running you wrap rope around spinning pulling but I don't know how much weight it can pull.