How should I attach a 9500-lbs winch to an MF135?

[Daelric]

I recently bought a 9500 lbs winch Smittybilt 97495 XRC Winch - 95 lb. Load Capacity, Replacement Parts - Amazon Canada to help skid some logs out of the bush on my property. I also bought a cradle for it so that it can easily be hooked up to a standard 2-inch hitch like I have on my pickup.

However, I primarily want to be able to use this thing with my tractor, as that's what I use currently to skid logs with a Log-Hog attachment I got from Norwood, like so:



What I was initially going to do was just go to my local weld shop and get them to make me a small 2-inch hitch that can bolt onto the tow bar (not sure if that's the correct terminology, so here's a pic of what I'm talking about):



When I went out to measure the dimensions of the bar, though, I got thinking that it might be better to be able to get some height with the winch, so maybe I should try to get them to make (or I should buy) a 3-pt 2-inch hitch attachment to actually hook up to the 3-pt. The only thing that concerns me about this, though, is that since I don't have a heck of a lot of experience with winching things, I don't want to break the 3-pt in any way. So basically I'm just here asking for comments/opinions on what people think would be the best way to go about being able to attach this winch to my tractor.

Thanks for your time!

 

[nybirdman]

I would thing you would have to set it up with a secondary battery;I don't believe the tractor battery will last long using a winch.

 

[George2615]

I agree with post 2. Due to the amp draw of the winch the tractor charging system will have to be improved and probably a separate battery added. The tractor battery and existing charging system won't hold up.
For mounting you can have a 2" receiver hitch welded to your draw bar or to your log hog. Then slide the winch cradle into the hitch.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Your electrical system will need a MAJOR up grade, then you will have to be careful with the "duty cycle" of your winch, or you will burn it up in no time at all...

SR

 

[motownbrowne]

I agree with the other guys. Better check how much a replacement alternator costs before hooking it up to your tractor electrical system. Probably better to buy a deep cycle or two and charge them at night.

 

[Rustyiron]

I agree, the electrical side is going to be the real "mounting" issue. To your question, a reciever tube welded to the bottom of your "log hog" should work, be sure to let them know the intended use and they'll build it accordingly. I think you will have to slide the winch out/off to use the "log hog" as the winch would be in the way with the log hooked up and lifted a little for skidding.
I wonder if you could fashion a BIG alternator to the PTO to charge a couple of auxilary batteries and incorporate all of this into one 3 pt. unit. I have actually had a truck stall (electrically) while using an 8000# electric Ramsey winch. IIRC, they can draw 400+ amps at rated load! Don't mean to scare you, but these winches are very demanding on the electrical system and most if not all tractors are sized to charge the starting battery and run a few lights only.

 

[Daelric]

Hey all, thanks for the tips! I think I'll look in to getting a hitch receiver welded onto the bottom of the log hog then.

As for the electrical, I should have mentioned that it was never my intention to hook the winch up to the tractor's electrical system. My plan all along has been what motownebrown suggested... I have a couple marine deep cycles lying around that I'd just charge overnight when I plan on using the winch.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Even two batts isn't going to give you very many longer pulls... A electric winch really pulls the amps out of a batt...

SR

 

[chim]

I'm sure you've considered that the pulling force the winch generates needs to be applied to the tractor below the rear axle centerline to prevent the winch from raising the front wheels. I suppose you could have a couple legs/stabs that dig into the ground to mimic how a regular logging winch works. You'll be amazed at the power that winch has.

I've had a couple 8000# Warn winches and was able to slide my full size K Blazer on dry blacktop while standing on the brakes when the load didn't want to move. I gave the last winch (Warn 8274) to #3 Son for his Cherokee. I had it on a Wrangler and when moving any real load I had to chain the back of the Jeep to something or the Jeep went toward the load.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I saw this some where and thought it was worth remembering. This might be the ultimate set-up, way more than you are thinking, but it also might give you some ideas. This winch is hydraulic but electric would work. You would have room to mount extra battery(s) too.





gg