Logging Winch

tessiers · Feb 16, 2008

I am in the market for a logging winch for my john deere 790 tractor.

I am tossed up between the Norse 290
130' cable
3 chain chokers with gliders
No drive shaft
$1995.00 Right in town From a logging supply house that I have had excellent luck in dealing with

and the Farmi 351P
165' cable
3 gliders no chockers
With Drive Shaft
$3495.00 Next town over from the dealer that I got the tractor at, who has also had great service

This is for my own use only and I will not be hireing out. I own a small woodlot and cut about 15 cords per year of firewood and plan to cut some saw logs for my own use as well.

Because I will not use it commercially I am leaning towards the Norse because of Cost. $1500.00 is quite a chunk of change as long as the Norse is a good winch, I don't want to buy something I will have problems with later if I can help it

ChuckinNH · Feb 16, 2008

Is the Norse rated the same, and does it use the same size / diameter cable? I was looking at a Farmi 290, but that may be smaller than you need.

tessiers · Feb 16, 2008

The Norse is in between the farmi 290 and 351 as far as size goes.

The 351 is offered with or without the dozer blade. I use my bucket now, so I don't know if that is a worthwhile option or not?

The other thing the farmi has over the norse is a lower pulley. This is used for skidding but I thought you are supposed to hook the chains on the hooks to skid so it shouldn't matter where the pulley is, right?

I guess I know less than I should, hopefully you people can help me out.

Right now I have an arch that goes on the 3 pt hitch. I back over the log, pick up the butt end and go. That works great if you can get to the tree but I think a winch would make life a lot easier, especially with several smaller trees.

SFish · Feb 17, 2008

I have a Farmi 351 with the dozer blade. I don't use the blade for dirt work, but it is very usefull when winching logs. When you pull from the top pulley there is downforce on the blade and the tractor is pulled backward a little such that the blade digs in and belays the tractor.

Sometimes when pulling very hard from the top pulley there is enough leverage to tip the tractor sideways if the cable is not exactly straight, and I have lifted the front wheels off the ground (JD3320 with loader). In this case you can back the blade down into the ground with the tractor, and then pull from the lower pully.

I am very satisfied with the Farmi but haven't seen a Norse at work so I can't compare. Steve

Diesel-ME · Feb 17, 2008

I use a Farmi 501 for similar uses as the poster describes. I did not check out the Norse too closely as my NH dealer had the Farmi in stock and I bought it along with the tractor.

The "dozer" blade is really really handy. You can use it just like you would with a skidder dozer blade - to push your logs into neater and higher piles. And you definately want to lower it for grip before you winch. I've never seen a loging winch w/o the blade, but I see what you mean after looking at the Farmi distributers web site. I leave my winch on all winter and it's excellent extra weight for snow plowing. Plus the dozer blade comes in real handy for breaking up hard crusty snow/ice.

I clip on all my choker chains to the winch body for skidding out of the woods, but if you want to pull with the cable, you use the lower pulley and then set the drum lock to keep the cable from unspooling.

My local logging supply house, which also sells the Norse winch, sells choker chains for about $17-$20. I like the ones with the ring on the end (and the long pin) as opposed to the hooked end.

While I did not look the Norse over too closely, my impression in passing is that it's a lighter-duty winch than the Farmi - but I could be wrong. But I'm sure that I could have picked up a Norse and liked it too

In any case - I have no complaints at all with my Farmi. It may or may not be worth the extra $$, but when I buy something like that I expect to keep it so long that the difference in initial price should not matter. In my neck of the woods the Farmi seems to have more dealers (parts sources and expertise).

~Paul

john_bud · Feb 17, 2008

You should check the 3pt capacity of the 790 compared to the size winches you are looking at. That might sway the decision.

I was looking to get a logging wench, but my wife didn't like the look of "paula bunyon". he he he - couldn't resist.

jb

GV40U · Feb 18, 2008

I've used a Farmi JL351P for 3 years. The dozer blade is handy to anchor the winch and push logs into piles though I use my grapple more for that purpose. If you buy a winch, leave some money in the budget for a self-releasing snatch block so you can winch around corners and fell (smaller) trees in predictable directions without aiming them at your own tractor. The Farmi version of this is illustrated on the following link:

self-releasing snatch block

I find the winch removes a lot of stress and adds control and safety while working in the woodlot. The tractor can stay on a solid level surface and soil compaction is reduced by using the winch to avoid driving among the trees. I recommend that you purchase the best quality winch with the longest cable that you can afford and that fits your tractor.

Good luck and work safely in your woodlot

Luke_theDrifter · Feb 19, 2008

How about some pictures, or links to find the pictures?

I've thought about trying to skid some logs, and have using a tow strap behind the box scraper on my frozen ice-covered driveway, but what about in the woods? Using a 35hp 4x4 Kubota what size logs do you suppose a guy could skid?

Is the set-up you guys are talking about a 3 point attachment? With a small winch? How do the tractor tires hold up while using one in the woods? I seem to have a hard time keeping my front tires on the rim....snag the side of a small logs and the bead pops off, this has happened a couple of times to me already.

Youare · Feb 19, 2008

Norse made a good product. I looked at both before I bought a Farmi winch. The reason for going with the Farmi was that brand was sold by the dealer I was purchasing a tractor from so I got them as a package deal.

Compare the specs on both of them; tractor HP, line pull, dozer blade, cable diameter and length, and the weight of the unit. The more a winch weighs usually indicates its ruggedness.

Randy