Big Wood - Small Tractor.

[WranglerX]

Ok... I have small SCUT (MF GC 1715) and its to small for Fermi style logging winch, and the little pipsqueak does not even have power (PB) beyond at rear though MF sales brochure said it was available as an"option" ...

So what do people do for clearing wood/dragging out with small tractor... I have thought of a PTO driven capstan winch for dragging out wood from locations where not practical to try and take tractor into... Discarded idea as to easy to get caught up into rope and maybe get caught up in capstan...And need for expensive quality rope than can handle the loads... Yes safeguards could be built in to instantly shut off engine, but that is not the real issue....

Amount of wood to be moved does not justify designing and build a mini "logging winch" to fit 25 HP SCUT... Considered electric winch but they are battery killers, proved that with 10,000 lb. winch on a 4000 lb. Jeep.... Maybe a 2500 lb. ATV winch but still battery killer only slower... Also small battery capacity and only 40 AMP alternator (I believe) make limited "power source"...

So far I have resorted to just chain and just dragging out pieces but then again it's a issue of how close I can get to logs, how far I can travel in one direction and how long my chain is...

Also considering putting a bracket on front of tractor so I have something to attach chain to other the eye on FEL... Does anybody "back out" of woods while dragging logs out???

So far kind of in the dark for any more ideas....

Dale

 

[JPRambo]

I don't do much in the way of logging. I built and use this when I can get to the logs.

 

[bcp]

Several hundred feet total of various cable lengths, and snatch blocks. Set the blocks so you can drive along a road or trail, and pull the logs to the road. Sometimes rigged for doubling the pull.

I used a Jeep for years, now a Kubota BX. Firewood logging. Logs up to 20 inches or so diameter. Flat or slightly downhill pull.

Bruce

 

[Citydude]

Id use JP' method if you can get to the logs. If not, Bruce's method. Pulling logs out by way of backing up would be easy enough if you supply enough weight on the back of your tractor in proportion to the log.

 

[Gee Ray]

JPRambo has the right idea. I use a 9000 pound winch and a marine battery to load equipment onto my gooseneck. I recharge it at night with a trickle charge after 4-5 pulls. I would think that would be enough to make it through a day in the woods. And then use the logging cart to get the log to the house.

 

[TnAndy]

I wouldn't think a 25hp tractor is too small for a regular skidding winch. Here is my Igland mounted on my previous tractor...a 33hp New Holland. It did just fine, and is real handy for skidding out smaller stuff. IF you can justify the cost for the amount you'd use it, buy one.

 

[Citydude]

Andy might be on to something. Check out the Igland 2001 winch. 38" tall, 35" wide and 14" depth. Weight 198 pounds.

 

[Agvg]

IGLAND 21 - Igland AS

 

[farmeratheart]

Another option would be Wallenstein. They appear to have 2 models suitable for your tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

1) So far I have resorted to just chain and just dragging out pieces but then again it's a issue of how close I can get to logs, how far I can travel in one direction and how long my chain is...

2) Also considering putting a bracket on front of tractor so I have something to attach chain to other the eye on FEL... Does anybody "back out" of woods while dragging logs out???

1) What is your tractor attachment point? A $30 to $63 Cross-Drawbar will allow you to safely elevate the load safely about 6". Often 6" lift reduces friction between the log and ground by 50%. I have a Ken's Bolt On chain grab hook bolted to my cross drawbar.

CROSS-DRAWBAR: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...rs-cross-drawbars-illuminated.html?highlight=

VENDER: 3 Point BX Trailer Hitch Compact Tractor Kubota Handy Hitch Attachments 89581383465 | eBay


2) I speculate half of the tractors discussed here have chain grab hooks bolted or welded on the FEL bucket.

Chain grab hooks are highly useful for teasing logs out of thick underbrush, as you add vertical plane to potential maneuvers, however imprudent use could leave your FEL involuntarily parted out.
Ample Three Point Hitch counterbalance advised.

KEN'S BOLT-ON HOOKS: Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Bolt-On>>

 

[WranglerX]

Attachment points to tractor is not a problem have many solutions to attach cables, slings, chains, and ropes to tractor...

I have various attachment points as brackets with holes for shackles and chain slot hooks on FEL, putting angle iron bracket on front subframe that will take shackel(s)to keep from pulling with FEL. It's in self etching primer as we speak, to be installed after final coat of paint...

On rear, the MF supplied straight draw bar (actual nothing bigger than will take trailer hitch ball), Cat 1 QH that will take my cross draw bar, also 500 LB ballast weight and bracketry on rear of weigh that can take various shackles, hooks and bolt on accessories....

It's all about what techniques works best between tractor and chunk of wood I want to move, keep in mind it is not "logging" per say, it is occasional removal of dead and down and a few "cut" trees, occasionally... Does not really justify cost of logging winch..

THE pic that shows "runs like a [broken] deere" give size perspective to tractor...

Dale

 

[Jstpssng]

A lot of the suggestions above will work. Keep in mind though that whatever method you use, always pull straight; use snatch blocks if you have to, but don't try to drag or winch the trees at an angle. Use care if they may catch up on stumps; some will disagree with me but there's nothing fun about having the tractor suddenly come up on two wheels.
According to Tractordata.com your tractor only weighs about 1450 pounds plus the weight of your loader; a good sized tree often is heavier than that. Sometimes it's easier (and safer) to cut it up into smaller sections.
People do a lot of work with tractors the size of yours, take your time and you'll find that working up wood is a lot of fun.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Here is a cross drawbar rig like jeff suggested on a 30 hp L3010. It will even grab a log w/o getting out of the seat.



Tongs Grapple - YouTube

gg

 

[TnAndy]

A lot of the suggestions above will work. Keep in mind though that whatever method you use, always pull straight; use snatch blocks if you have to, but don't try to drag or winch the trees at an angle.

Oh absolutely. About any size winch will turn a tractor over if you pull to the side and the load hangs up.

 

[radios1]

I guess they don't offer a feller/buncher attachment for your tractor then?..

 

[Scut 4 Big Bucks]

Obviously not logs, but I can haul out quite a load with a carry-all and forks with my GC1715.

 

[nyone]

If you can't get there with your small tractor and don't own a logging winch you basicly have 3 choices. Drag with long chains/cables, cut and haul by hand or leave it and let nature take care of it. I guess you could always cut trails also.

 

[CobyRupert]

Another option would be Wallenstein. They appear to have 2 models suitable for your tractor.

Yep.
One of these (FX35) is hydraulic and requires "2-12gpm" of flow as compared to OP's tractor with 4.8 gpm (SCV), so it might be a little slow.
The FX40 is PTO driven, recommended for 12-30 hp, Class I 3ph tractor, weighs 280lbs, and pulls 4000lbs, which can be doubled up (2x) using a snatch block pulley.

Ask anyone that has these winches: They're a total game changer. Night and day. You can really reach out to places a tractor can't or doesn't want to go. You'll use it for a lot more than just grabbing logs too.

 

[plumbstraight]

These work well.

 

[polarred21]

^^^I like that electric winch setup. Have no experience with one but the battery issues mentioned earlier, this should be a non issue for intermittent use?

That JD looks like hydraulic winch?