log skidding winch

JK-NY · Apr 4, 2015

Last weekend I bought something I have wanted for a long time- a used 3 point hitch pto powered log skidding winch. I wondered if anyone else on here has one or has any experience with one .ANy tips or other input would be appreciated. I have a couple snatch blocks and some short chains. It may be a while before I can try it out- we are melting the snow off here but it will be very muddy for a while.

DGinVT · Apr 4, 2015

Be carefull using this skidding device and make sure that you have enough PTO horse power. If it is still available get the shop manual for it. Sooner or later you will need parts for it and if not available you may have to have them made. The top swivel pin and the pulley bushing can wear badly or the clutch may need to be rebuilt from lack of adjustment wear or poor use . For others I have been there and done that. I use a 350D JD.

Paul in MN · Apr 4, 2015

Is it a Farmi brand winch? I have seen only a very few of them, but believe they can be very useful. I have looked at their u-tube videos. What are the dangers that one might not expect in its usage?

When I was in Sweden 13 years ago, there seemed to be a good number of home made logging winches. If the clutching of the drum can be worked out, then for the occasional use many of us would give it, maybe a good set of plans would be the right answer.

I'd enjoy a few pictures of your new toy.

Paul in MN

Jo Bird · Apr 4, 2015

Never pull directly off to the side of your tractor from the winch. You can flip the tractor over sideways real quick. Use the snatch block to make a straight line behind the tractor to an anchor point, then off to item being pulled.. Another other safety tip is never stand or allow others to stand along side the cable while winching in, if the cable should snap under load it will recoil back to the winch/ log before you can even think of moving out of the way..

mhb@ufe · Apr 4, 2015

Logging winches are a great tool when use properly. Always line up for as straight a pull as possible. We had a customer with a new 50 hp Kubota and Fransgard Winch. He was pulling at a 90 degree angle and rolled his tractor over. One of the most common problems we see is people bring the logs up to the winch and try to lift the winch too high. By doing this the log binds on the winch and it is trying to lift the entire log from that end which often ends in bent lift arms. The 2 most common service problems we see is over lubricating the chain so that the lube gets on the clutch and people always seem to want to adjust the clutch tighter than it should be. Get yourself a manual and adjust the clutch per the manual. The clutch arm needs to be able to travel full stroke to get maximum clutch engagement, a short throw on the clutch arm will cause excessive slippage of the clutch and lack of pulling power.

Mark

Plowboy1 · Apr 5, 2015

I've used a Fransgard for about 5 years now....only wished I had gotten it sooner. Mine is not a big unit and is very handy not only in the woods, but for tugging things out around the farm. Like everyone says, be careful pulling off to the side. You can damage stuff on the tractor.
There is nothing like having 3 or 4 good logging chains to go with it. I use 6 footers because I like to leave the really big trees. Using a choker hook made for logging on each one is also very helpful.

log skidding winch

JK-NY

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DGinVT

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Paul in MN

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Jo Bird

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mhb@ufe

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Plowboy1

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