The new winch working

I had a few minutes this afternoon, so I pulled a few Pine logs out of a brush pile in my woods just to see what it would do. Pics aren't the best, I didn't have anyone around to shoot a video. Pretty impressive, on the next log it pulled the M backwards in 1st gear with the blade down. Had to cut the head off the tree to free it. I'll get video once the tractor goes back to the woodlot.

 

Nice work A.C., I'm glad you like it.

 

Slick rig man , bet that will pull the pucker right outa your butt

 

I let that much cable out to pull the whole tree clear of the pile. That log in the pic was just in the way. Next one l pulled was a 50 footer. Pull 10 ft cut the limbs in the pile & repeat. Left all the crap in the pile. The job l bought the winch for l have to pull about 200 ft to get to level ground. Winch is 2 speed, the high gear is a pretty fast pull. I can pull the logs tight to the blade & use it like a cable skidder.

 

I am surprised you did not get more replies on this. It looks like a nice set up. As I have always said: a winch is half the tractor. It really saves putting the tractor in the brush and crap where things break and get stuck. I might not be able to slip my tractor between two hemlocks, but I sure can with a winch, not to mention changing directions now and then too.

Nice set up: you cannot have enough cable because even with 200 feet of cable, at some point there will be a log that is 202 feet away!

 

Thanks LodgedTree. Agree on the cable length, I've got another 150' of 12K bull rope if needed, couple snatch blocks etc. Fully agree with keeping the machine out of the crap as much as possible, minimizes risk on many levels. I'm looking forward to putting it to some "real" work.

 

Looks like a great setup A.C. It looks like it does a good job pulling out the trees. Probably will work even better as you get used to using it.

 

Yea, the learning curve isn't gonna be real steep. I've been around & run equipment since I was a kid. Winch is easy to operate & really smooth running. I can't wait to get it in the woods & do some real work with it. 3" of rain is not helping with that.

 

What did you use for a clutch?

I only ask because my father made a homemade winch for our old tractor and the clutch was just the tractor clutch. He was winching down a tree and it came back over the ROPS-less tractor and pinned him. Luckily he was beside a main road, and when the local farm dealership was delivering a teddier by truck, was going slow enough with the windows down to hear him yelling. They pretty much saved his life.

So when I hear of homemade winches; while I know they are easy to make, I also know the bought versions have a free-running secondary clutch that makes them far more safe. On my Fransgard for instance, the only time the winch line reels in, is when I am pushing the lever. The second I stop, the line is freewheeling. That is a VERY safe feature.

 

Winch is not homemade, built by winches plus. Milemarker winch driven by a honda engine/saginaw pump combo. Electric valves run by a remote. Two way operation two speed winch. Freespool is neutral on both levers. Very simple & effective set up. Mount is homebrew, but it is solid & it pulls low enough to skid the tractor backward, no tip issue.

 

Looks great neighbor, waiting for the video .
It's cause there's pictures instead of a video.
If he changes the title to video now up I bet all sorts of folks come in to check it out.
Here's a video, so now everyone can pour in, it's "barely" any good though lol.

 

I was thinking of my learning curve lol! Glad its easy to operate.

We have a ton of rain here, which is killing me too! New tractor and cant even use it.

 

It's crazy what the little Honda can pull. I just tried mine a few days ago, drug my one ton sliding the tires along the way.

 

Nice, you finally fired that thing up eh? Quality piece of equipment as far as I can tell.

 

Yes, thanks for the inspiration/motivation !!!! I'm looking forward to dragging some logs....if it ever dries up...
Yes they do seem well built, at least they are built from commonly available parts. Good luck to you and be safe.

 

Oh that is good. I thought the entire winch was, but in my defense the pictures were rather darkened too. That probably contributed to not as many people posting about too.

Certainly doing a video of you being attacked by a bear, WHILE operating the winch might have got more responses though! I would suggest having a woman in a little red dress in the photos, but I have found that it makes the guys on here speechless, but quite capable of hitting the like button!

 

Eric VW speechless?!?

Never!!

 

Got a chance to see this setup in person the other night. Winch looks great! Well built and I think it will do a great job for AC.