Balfor logging winch

[VroomVroom]

Anybody have experience with these winches out of Ontario?

 

[Jstpssng]

They look like they are ruggedly built, and the specs are comparable to any of the more common brands out there. They are really a simple rig, if you are clever you can build one yourself. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/386238-diy-logging-winch-build.html

 

[VroomVroom]

I have thought about it. was at work when I saw the link and will have to view it a little more in just a bit. I have thought of making one at times. I have the rectangle stock and 1/4 inch plate. There's drill pipe near home that would work good for the core of the pulley. I'd have to look into the clutch plates and such to allow free spool when not engaged. But sometimes even that I think would be as expensive as buying a second hand one. I am a little partial to uniforest because I know the guy and he is a good guy. They also have longer cable which would be required here because of the small scattered wood and soft bogs and such. It seems to pull a little harder by a margin then the others. But those balfor ones are going for probably the cheapest out of them all. I have never got a chance to really size a winch up. Only from all your pictures. If the clutch assembly is of good quality, then I think the rest of the winch would hold up whatever the brand. It would increase how much I would use that little tractor a lot. I'm building a garage as we speak and its still possible I could make one when I get this out of the way. It would make that tractor much more viable to get wood.

 

[Jstpssng]

I've dragged wood in with a draw bar, I've brought it in using a trailer. I've dragged it out using my ATV winch, which is why I don't recommend a slower speed electric winch. I even dragged white birch boltwood out using my snowsled, just to see if I could do it. Yet except for picking up a little firewood with ATV or snowsled and trailer, I won't willingly cut wood again without a 3PH winch.

 

[VroomVroom]

I've dragged wood in with a draw bar, I've brought it in using a trailer. I've dragged it out using my ATV winch, which is why I don't recommend a slower speed electric winch. I even dragged white birch boltwood out using my snowsled, just to see if I could do it. Yet except for picking up a little firewood with ATV or snowsled and trailer, I won't willingly cut wood again without a 3PH winch.

Everyone says the same thing. I was hoping you guys kept saying the winches were not worth the money and don't get it....... Its a matter of time I think before one is on the back of that tractor. See how this garage goes. maybe there will be too much room in it and I'll need another implement........

 

[Jstpssng]

Everyone says the same thing. I was hoping you guys kept saying the winches were not worth the money and don't get it....... Its a matter of time I think before one is on the back of that tractor. See how this garage goes. maybe there will be too much room in it and I'll need another implement........

That's about as likely as asking if you need a bigger tractor, expecting us to say no. :laughing:

Edit; a few things I've done with my winch besides pulling out wood;

-Moved a couple of sheds.
-Pulled my truck out of the snow, and out of the mud on separate occasions.
-Pulled my tractor out of the snow, when it was so deep that I couldn't get out with the loader despite using every trick that I know.
-Pulled my snowsled out of waist deep snow last winter.
-It also is the best counterweight of anything I own.
At +- 500 lbs it's heavier than the 320 lb concrete block that my father made me for the purpose; yet doesn't stick out anywhere near as much as any of my other implements.

There's probably a few other things I've used them for over the last 15 years, but that's all that I can think of right now.

End edit

 

[VroomVroom]

No doubt about it, it would have been one of the most used attachments we could have around home. Some places need box blades or seeders or something or other, home, I think a winch would be the most used, maybe followed by the backhoe and snowblower is a good one too. I have a lucknow. Oh, and I'm looking into a plow but looking for an old one , actually next time I go to maine. Seems like their easier to find there. I can't wait to get a winch to be honest. Tractor sitting relaxed on a good trail while all that birch is winched over and easily accessible. I bet it would be used to tow rigs for one reason or another.