Winches Winch anchoring

[BobRip]

I am considering getting the PT winch for my 422. It will pull about 4000 pounds. The PT is around 1200. Could you increase the anchoring by putting some kind of spikes coming from the bottom of the winch and pushing them into the ground. You might also have some spikes come out of the front and angle them down so you could put them in the ground. Perhaps a cross piece tying the spikes together. Or maybe a plow like bar that would dig into the ground.

I know you could tie the back of the PT to a tree, but that sounds like work.

 

[Mudfarmer]

My solution was a cement block. See:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/165084-cheap-logging-winch.html

Mf

 

[ponytug]

Is the goal to winch the PT or move something else?

If it is the latter, any type of ground implement will dramatically improve your winching ability;

• A shovel
• A metal plate
• A spike
• Attaching the winch to the Q/A plate and levering it into the ground
• Chocking the wheels...

You get the idea.

All the best,

Peter

I am considering getting the PT winch for my 422. It will pull about 4000 pounds. The PT is around 1200. Could you increase the anchoring by putting some kind of spikes coming from the bottom of the winch and pushing them into the ground. You might also have some spikes come out of the front and angle them down so you could put them in the ground. Perhaps a cross piece tying the spikes together. Or maybe a plow like bar that would dig into the ground.

I know you could tie the back of the PT to a tree, but that sounds like work.

 

[SpringHollow]

My solution was a gas portable winch - love those things. Come in quite handy for so many situations.

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

You could probably put some sort of spike on the front of the winch plate and use the power down of the FEL arms to dig it into the ground. That would definitely help keep it from scooting the PT.

Just remember that you could overstress the quick attach area, the FEL arms, the center joint of the main pivot, etc... by doing too good of a job of anchoring it in one place or another. By not anchoring the PT and allowing the PT to slide on the ground if the load is too large, that may be a good indicator of when the load is just too much for the little beast.

As I recall, didn't PT downgrade the size of the winch for the 400 series a few years ago?

 

[KentT]

One caution...

Rich, the original owner of my PT-425, actually broke the machine in half at the center pivot when he got it stuck up to the bellypan in muck and yanked it out with a big tractor. So, mine has had a new pivot point for that center joint welded onto the front half to replace the one that failed...

I DO NOT suggest that you winch from the front while chaining the rear of the machine to something. You risk pulling it in two, like he did.

 

[BobRip]

As I recall, didn't PT downgrade the size of the winch for the 400 series a few years ago?

Yes they did. They cut the strength in half, I believe.

In this thread, I am using the PT to pull other stuff.

I am also concerned about the danger if the cable breaks and comes back at you.

 

[J_J]

Bob,

Why not make up a wired/wireless remote winch set up, and stand off to the side when winching.

 

[KentT]

Bob,

If you're seriously planning to do this, I'd suggest you look at an aftermarket hydraulic winch, such as a Milemarker or Ramsey. Mount it in a cradle that fits the receiver hitch you already have on a QA plate. Then, you'll have a proven, refined, versatile winch -- with a remote control -- for about the same $$. You could even add the synthetic winch rope in lieu of cable, which is much safer, if you'd like.

For example, here's the Milemarker winches:

Mile Marker HI Series Hydraulic Winches

The 9000 lb one (the smallest) is about $950 MSRP -- you can find better prices, I think, but that's the same cost as the PT winch, which is rated at 4000lbs -- then you'd need to add the cost of the cradle and hoses, and you'd be all set with a quick, versatile and easy mounting system. With long enough hoses, you could even use it on the back of your machine, if needed (I think you already have a receiver on the rear, don't you?)

 

[BobRip]

Bob,

If you're seriously planning to do this, I'd suggest you look at an aftermarket hydraulic winch, such as a Milemarker or Ramsey. Mount it in a cradle that fits the receiver hitch you already have on a QA plate. Then, you'll have a proven, refined, versatile winch -- with a remote control -- for about the same $$. You could even add the synthetic winch rope in lieu of cable, which is much safer, if you'd like.

For example, here's the Milemarker winches:

Mile Marker HI Series Hydraulic Winches

The 9000 lb one (the smallest) is about $950 MSRP -- you can find better prices, I think, but that's the same cost as the PT winch, which is rated at 4000lbs -- then you'd need to add the cost of the cradle and hoses, and you'd be all set with a quick, versatile and easy mounting system. With long enough hoses, you could even use it on the back of your machine, if needed (I think you already have a receiver on the rear, don't you?)

Yes, I do have a receiver on the back. This is a excellent suggestion. I could also tie it to a tree very easily. I could actually store it on the back and keep it with me most of the time. Use it to replace my weights.

J_J can you reference me a valve to do this, or should I just ask Surplus Center to recommend one?

This comes with a solenoid valve. Could I just plumb it to the PTO connectors? Would it stand the extra pressure and flow.

I like this concept since I could carry it with me and use off of my front and rear receivers (remember I now have one under the lift arms. This may drive me over the hump. I will call them tomorrow.

 

[BobRip]

Bob,

Why not make up a wired/wireless remote winch set up, and stand off to the side when winching.

I could just tie a rope to the valve and pull from a distance.

 

[KentT]

Yes, I do have a receiver on the back. This is a excellent suggestion. I could also tie it to a tree very easily. I could actually store it on the back and keep it with me most of the time. Use it to replace my weights.

J_J can you reference me a valve to do this, or should I just ask Surplus Center to recommend one?

This comes with a solenoid valve. Could I just plumb it to the PTO connectors? Would it stand the extra pressure and flow.

I like this concept since I could carry it with me and use off of my front and rear receivers (remember I now have one under the lift arms. This may drive me over the hump. I will call them tomorrow.

Yes, you could just plumb it into your PTO, and use it with the PT's engine running at idle, or slightly above, so you don't overpower the winch. It would likely provide more pulling power than the PT winch, even at idle.

BTW, Milemarker hydraulic winches are what the Army uses on Humvees and such. They're virtually indestructible...

 

[SpringHollow]

It is one thing to buy an inexpensive electric winch but if you are going to spend that kind of money for a hydraulic winch, i would strongly encourage the gas powered portable winch which can be mounted to a 2" receiver, strapped to a tree, etc. It will work to pull your PT when your PT dies and can be used in a large number of other situations where you would not bring or transport your PT. Which could also be a negative if your friends find out you have one.

The honda engine is so reliable. Why run a large PT all of the time if you want to do something like pull out a bunch of logs to the trail? (especially if you have a larger PT like i do). The only real negative is that you might keep a cheap electric winch with you all of the time where as you might not carry the gas winch with you all of the time.

Never said I was not opinionated.

Ken

 

[woodlandfarms]

Where in the heck do you carry anything on the PT. I know, the roof of the tractor.... But it is quite high up on the 1850. Not easy to put a chain, chainsaw, gas or other stuff.

I wish for a safe spot that I could put a hammer, a wrench, a screwdriver and a chain that wasn't in the way of something else, and easy to get to.

 

[BobRip]

I have attached some storage pictures. I would remove the weights on the back and put the winch there. Plug it into the 2 inch receiver.

 

[BobRip]

Here is what I have kinda of decided.

1. Purchase the PT winch. It is designed to work with the flow rates of the PT. It will not over stress the PT.
2. Remove the PT quick attach plate and weld a 2 inch receiver tube on the winch part. I may weld two. One near the bottom for storage on the PT. This will lift it up and keep it from dragging. One in the middle to actually use when winching something.
3. Buy some extension hoses so I can use it from the front and rear.
4. Keep the quick attach plate for some project in the future.
5. If I need extra force, I will have a pulley to double the pulling power. I will also get extra cable.
I am holding off the purchase until I get some comments here.

 

[MossRoad]

Where in the heck do you carry anything on the PT. I know, the roof of the tractor.... But it is quite high up on the 1850. Not easy to put a chain, chainsaw, gas or other stuff.

I wish for a safe spot that I could put a hammer, a wrench, a screwdriver and a chain that wasn't in the way of something else, and easy to get to.

Find a place to mount one of these, perhaps?

https://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?catname=&byKeyword=yes&search=ammo box

 

[woodlandfarms]

Sure, but where? My big problem is that I am in the blackberry and trees all the time. Nothing is all that safe...

 

[J_J]

Carl,

Have you considered a mulcher. It should work better than a mower clearing out your woods.

 

[smartguyz]

This item is pretty cool. I'd love one. Pretty pricey unless you use it all the time.

WARN PowerPlant Dual Force HP Winch/Air Compressor — 9500-Lb. Capacity, Model# 71800 | Winch + Air-Compressor Combo Units | Northern Tool + Equipment

-Rob

I notice they have a 2" receiver hitch adapter for all of their winches. Not sure if it includes this item.