Where should I install new winch

voodoo · Aug 25, 2005

I just picked up a milemarker 9000 hydraulic winch unused on e-bay. Arrived today. Comes complete with control gear, hoses, solenoids and remote winch control switch.
It was a bit of an impulse buy, as I had always thought a winch would be very handy for logging windfall timber from the local forest.
My dilemma now is what to do with it. I'm looking to my friends here on TBN for suggestions.
1) - Mount on front tractor frame above suitcase weights
2) - Make a 3-pt mount at rear
3) - Fabricate a 3-pt logging winch frame.

Option 1 would be a fixed installation and would require that I tap into the hydraulics and permanently plumb. It would mean that i could use the remote wander lead and would help for self extraction when I get into trouble /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Option 2 would allow me to quickly attach and set aside when not required. I have rear remotes available and could make connection with quick connects. Then there would be no need for the milemarker solenoid control and would be a non permanent install.

Option 3 - Would obviously be best for logging work. I've seen some nice setups in the forums before. If I went for this option, the frame would have to be such that it could be fitted and installed on the 3-pt hitch whilst still allowing attachment of the dump trailer. If I could incorporate some form of boom pole to the frame I could have the winch and trailer connected to drive to the forest. Once there, set of the trailer, winch the timber out from the tree stands. Then lift with winch / boom pole into trailer. When trailer filled, hook on again and transport home.

Any ideas, comments and designs / pictures of others setups will be gratefully received. I will not be offended if you think I am barking mad /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Jstpssng · Aug 25, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 1) - Mount on front tractor frame above suitcase weights
2) - Make a 3-pt mount at rear
3) - Fabricate a 3-pt logging winch frame.

)</font>

Why not all of the above? Assuming you will be building it yourself it wouldn't be that difficult to attach a reciever hitch somewhere on the front; then weld up a frame, including another reciever, on the back.
just my .02$ worth.

Deerlope · Aug 25, 2005

In the build-it-your self forum there are pics of the one that I built using a 10.5 mile marker winch. Do a search for it to see if you can find it. If you can not PM me your e-mail and I will take some pIcs and send them to you.

beenthere · Aug 26, 2005

I heard a suggestion today for mounting a winch, and that was to put it on a box blade (not sure if that is similar to one of your attachments or not). But it would be similar to the lower part of a system like the Farmi winch, and possibly wouldn't weigh too much for the rear of the tractor.

Just a thought to pass on.

voodoo · Aug 26, 2005

Fred,

Thanks, it was your design that had me looking for a hydraulic winch coming available. I only do light pine logging and yours would be more than ample /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I am in no hurry to get a frame made as I am in the middle of an extension to the house at the moment.
I think in the winter months I will sit down with the CAD program and see what I can come up with before striking up the welder. Then again knowing me, I'll have something rigged up by mext weekend just to see how the winch works /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

voodoo · Aug 26, 2005

Thanks for the suggestion. Certainly the winch will operate better with some form of footing plate to stop it pulling the tractor rearwards. I think if I go with option 3, which seems the most likely, i'll have to have some form of A frame to allow the trailer drawbar to fit when transporting.
We''ll see what doodles I can come up with /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif