Log winching safety questions

[plowhog]

Just getting started with my Farmi 351p logging winch. I recently played out the cable, and winched it back under load. So its now ready for some logging work, but I have a few questions:

I want to winch a fallen oak limb out of a forest to a clear spot, only about 60-80 feet. The limb is about 12-16" in diameter, 30-40 feet long. It is up a slope. My tractor access is from below. I need to winch it, almost straight downhill, to the clearing so I can grab it with my grapple.

The Farmi manual says: "Do not winch downhill." Is that for real? It is a somewhat mild slope. Is there any "gotcha" I should know about pulling down a mild slope? The Farmi manual shows a (prohibited) pull down a slope, with an ending crest higher than the tractor. It looks like the log could crest the edge then with continued winching the end could land and fall on the tractor cab. Nobody is that stupid, right?

Next, I have another limb (about the same size) I want to pull sideways along the same slope. Not up or down, but laterally. It is a very straight limb, hardly any bends. If I hook onto it, and start to pull, there seems to be enough side slope where the limb could potentially roll downhill. If that roll began with my cable still attached, it would become a ... bad day. Not to mention there is a building in the path where it could roll.

Is there a good trick to "side winching" along a slope, and eliminating the chance for a limb roll along the way?

btw, yes these limbs are 12-16", sometimes larger. They are fallen limbs from some very large black oaks ....

 

[user.69169]

De trick called a snatch block.

Put tractor in safe spot, sling snatch block from another tree where you want log you winching to stop. Run cable from winch thru snatch block to log & hook up.

If heavy pull, chain & sling tractor to anchor point. Dat way if log goes wild tractor don't get yanked into mess.

Anuthr trick, put old tire in pull line at log. Tire stretches and acts to take shock rather den winch taking shock.

 

[CoyPatton]

The danger of winching down hill or even across a down hill slope, is the control factor if the log rolls or just begins to slide. Risk are present and any damage is your responsibility as you started the log to move from where it rested.
There are things you can do to reduce the risk but there are still risk and if you cause movement you assumed the liability for any damage caused by said movement.
One risk reduction method is to winch it from above to a lower level using a snatch block or multiple snatch blocks. Another is to use an independent cable or chain to limit movement that the log can travel at one time. Also you can cut it into more manageable lengths.
Again the big risk is to human life once a log starts to move it takes on its on force. Careful planning and several safety factors are always recommended if you feel it must be moved.

 

[oosik]

I would not recommend any "winching newbie" take on a downhill project as their very first. Use the winch on flat or uphill pull. Learn how it works - reacts. THEN consider - do I really need to pull downhill.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Seems like a hard place to start - working on a slope with large-ish logs. No one can tell you what is safe or unsafe w/o being there. Much of the safety is derived from from the operators ability to observe what is happening and react before it turns into trouble. This comes from experience. So go small logs and slow winch speeds at first. If this is where you must learn because you have no flat areas to get the feel on I would cut the logs into shorter lengths. Lengths that you can easily maneuver around with a peavy and are less dangerous. That way you can straighten things out when they get jammed up. Winching side hill, you will find a log always move down hill. They slide or roll so even crooked ones go down hill. If they are straight they will roll, and fast. So you need guide trees and/or a snatch block, as mentioned, to keep them up slope. John Mac has posted a nice video of winching a log side slope using a snatch block maybe you have seen it. Hook the choker into a slider and not on the hook. That way when the log rolls it will not twist up your cable and kink it.

As far a winching straight down mild hills goes that is generally not dangerous when done with some experience behind you. So again go small logs and slow winch speeds a first.

gg

 

[dougtrr2]

I am still relatively new to winching. If I was going to winch downhill and had any doubts I would set up my snatch block. I would set up a right angle pull and have myself and the tractor well out of the way in case the tree came down faster than expected.

How many branches are on the piece you want to drag sideways. They will help limit the roll, but if one breaks it could get ugly.

As already stated, consider cutting the logs into shorter more manageable/controlable pieces.

I have pulled quite a bit of firewood out of my forest. But I did pull a red oak log out to get cut into lumber. The sections were 9' long and very straight. I was amazed out how little side slope would cause those logs to roll, and once they started rolling there was no control on them. I was on a forest path so they only rolled to the first tree off the path. But it was an eye opener to me and a good lesson.

Good luck and stay safe.

Doug in SW IA

 

[plowhog]

This is all very helpful. Thank you all.

I also realized that to winch a limb sideways across a slope, my tractor would also be tipped to the side on the same slope. Ugh. I did purchase a snatch block with the winch so maybe it needs to see some duty.

 

[plowhog]

Here are some pictures of the limbs I want to winch "sideways" and "downhill."

I looked again at the limb I want to winch sideways. It's a little larger than I thought-- more like 20" at the fattest end.

The logs I want to come downhill are bigger diameter. Regarding a possible option to instead pull them uphill, I don't know. From being at the limbs and looking uphill, it doesn't look appealing. Maybe I need to climb to the top of the hill above them and see if there is a way I could winch pieces of the limbs out-- going uphill?

 

[John_Mc]

The 2nd and 3rd videos in this series will give you an idea of one way to deal with a side hill when winching. (Both videos are the same hill, just different angles and a different log.) I set up a self-releasing snatch block on the uphill side of the slope to hold the logs from rolling down. I could have set up a second one further along, but it wasn't needed: I just needed to make sure I got clear of some obstacles part way through the pull. The link should already be T'd up to the second video in the series.
Winching Logs at LHCF

 

[denchen]

I`m no expert, but I think I would find a good sensible mate and a long strong rope. Tie the rope to the log, and take a full turn around a tree above the log. Whilst slowly winching, my mate slowly slacking the rope. At the first sign of something doing something it shouldn`t, then stop and have a look at plan B.