Using a 2000 lb winch to tilt Carry All

[shooterdon]

First, my objective....
I plan on using a carry all on the 3pt hitch to move firewood stacked on pallets that have been cut down to 32". That will allow me to move about 1/3 of a cord (1500 lbs) of firewood at a time.

My storage area is not flat so it would be advantageous to be able to tilt the carry all to make loading and unloading of the pallets easier and have a slight tilt to keep wood from spilling out while transporting from the outside storage area to the garage. I get a lot of snow, so the pallets will be stored on concrete blocks to keep them from freezing to the ground.

The concept....
Use a 2000 lb ATV winch to replace the top link connection. The winch would be mounted to the carry all frame with the hook attached to the top link attachment point on the tractor. Use quick disconnect fittings to power the winch from the tractor electrical system. I think the tractor battery will be able to handle the load as it will be intermittent...a few seconds at a time.

Rationale
I know a tilt cylinder is the preferred answer. My dealer will not install one on my old tractor and I am not versed on hydraulics. I could learn to do it, but even doing it myself, my cost looks like about $500-600 and install time of 3-4 hours. I have the winch and controls so I figure about $50 to install it and an hour of time. As to safety, if the cable breaks, there will be about 18" of cable played out so little chance of it harming anyone. The carry all would rotate away from the tractor so no danger to the machine.


I welcome all comments on anything I should consider. Or a better idea if there is one.

 

[metalbender]

Sounds like a plan. Pics of the build are required.

 

[/pine]

I would spring for a set of 3ph pallet forks: Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks 3 Pt Pallet | Agri Supply 72511
How do you plan on keeping so much wood on cut down pallets?

 

[nyone]

Build something to put the winch on your tractor. That could come in handly some day. You can always use a pully to get a double line pull. In fact i suggest it.

 

[shooterdon]

I would spring for a set of 3ph pallet forks: Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks 3 Pt Pallet | Agri Supply 72511
How do you plan on keeping so much wood on cut down pallets?

The portion of the pallet that is cut off forms a top that is attached with four scrap boards (2 on each side) to the pallet. These 4 boards (angled) act to hold the wood in the stack.

I got the idea from a YouTube video and built one. It works very well. I will need about 25-30 pallets to store a years supply but they are free except for the gas to pick them up and some deck screws.

The problem with pallet forks is that they are too long. The carry all is shorter and better suited to deal with the 32" depth of the cut down pallet. But it is only rated for 1000 lbs and I will have more than that on it. The test run with the prototype was OK. I may need to reinforce the carry all but that is doable.

 

[/pine]

maybe I'm missing something but from my experience tipping a carry all enough to slide a pallet off it will need to be leaning enough that it's likely to topple over a pallet of stacked firewood...?

...tipping my carry all to the max with hydraulic top link (8" stroke) is not enough lean to slide a loaded pallet off the carry all..

 

[RalphVa]

I like the idea. However, think you'd have a problem that the dump will be a mess. You'll expend almost as much effort cleaning up the dumped mess as you would in just hand removing the pieces from the carryall.

Same for the FEL.

I also figured I can carry 1/3 yard with FEL plus carryall. It would take about 15 loads to make a cord.

Ralph

 

[tcreeley]

I still prefer the hydraulic toplink. I suppose a winch could work as well. All of the steamshovels of the past worked on cable and winches.

 

[jmc]

I think those electric winches draw a lot of current. Will its power cord reach the tractor's battery or do you have to run a heavy wire to the winch?

 

[shooterdon]

I still prefer the hydraulic toplink. I suppose a winch could work as well. All of the steamshovels of the past worked on cable and winches.

I will not be tipping it to unload it. The wood stays on the pallet, and the pallet is set down on cinder blocks (if being stored outside), or on the garage floor when the wood is brought in for use. I want to be able to tilt the carry all to address uneven ground and to tilt the pallet slightly when transporting to keep wood from falling out.

I have a cheap ($50) winch I got from HF to try it out. Just been too busy doing fall projects and getting ready for deer season. Not a big investment if it works.

I will post pictures and follow up when I get it done.