Winch for receiver mount

[BrentR]

Hi. New tractor owner and hoping for some advice.
I have a trail that is steepish and thinking a winch maybe be handy to have in case I need to pull myself up a little. I was thinking it could be used in my 3pt receiver (with an appropriate mount).
Thanks

 

[N3BP]

The 3PT hitch isn't the best spot to mount a winch, but it can be done. A few things to consider:

-The 3PT system has strength limitations and it's possible it could be damaged during the winching process. A lot of winches have enough power to bend and break tractor parts (been down that road once).
-They are current hogs. If your battery is in the front, you have to run #2 copper to the rear. I'd suggest an Anderson quick disconnect plug. That's what I use and it's perfect for that.
-It's better to winch from the front than rear.

I fabbed a frame mounted hitch for my winch. If you have a loader on your machine, then this may not be an option. If you wind up using your winch for log skidding and tree felling, then you should go a step further and fab a subframe. That's what I did and use when I need to anchor the machine off to something

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm.. if it's so steep you need a winch to get up.... have you thought about HOW are you going to get back DOWN ??
Weight distribution,balance, power, etc. are different between going up and going down so you have to know HOW your ride will handle ! If 'trail' isn't level left to right, it can be easy to flip over a tractor and as a 'new tractor owner' ,I'm assuming you don't have any experience driving one ? While 4WD and ATV experience will help tractors are different.
Just want you to be careful and THINK before you do an 'oopsy' !!!

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day.

If you think you need a winch to get up the hill:

1. Learn about center pivot axle and proper ballasting.

2. Go as slow as possible and as fast as necessary.

3. Deeply consider risk vs reward of the task if it is wet out.

4. Keep the rubber side down.

Good luck.

 

[BrentR]

The 3PT hitch isn't the best spot to mount a winch, but it can be done. A few things to consider:

-The 3PT system has strength limitations and it's possible it could be damaged during the winching process. A lot of winches have enough power to bend and break tractor parts (been down that road once).
-They are current hogs. If your battery is in the front, you have to run #2 copper to the rear. I'd suggest an Anderson quick disconnect plug. That's what I use and it's perfect for that.
-It's better to winch from the front than rear.

I fabbed a frame mounted hitch for my winch. If you have a loader on your machine, then this may not be an option. If you wind up using your winch for log skidding and tree felling, then you should go a step further and fab a subframe. That's what I did and use when I need to anchor the machine off to something

Thanks for your comment, nice setup. I do keep a loader on the front, but maybe I can attach a plate to the front frame that a winch can sit on temporary when needed.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Mount a 'stubby' 2" receiver on the frame, put winch on a 2" receiver insert/adapter plate. That way it's EASY to install/remove.Anderson Powerpole connectors to battery, properly fused for electrical.

 

[BrentR]

hmm.. if it's so steep you need a winch to get up.... have you thought about HOW are you going to get back DOWN ??
Weight distribution,balance, power, etc. are different between going up and going down so you have to know HOW your ride will handle ! If 'trail' isn't level left to right, it can be easy to flip over a tractor and as a 'new tractor owner' ,I'm assuming you don't have any experience driving one ? While 4WD and ATV experience will help tractors are different.
Just want you to be careful and THINK before you do an 'oopsy' !!!

Thank you. I am learning all about these risks and am taking precautions. I have already taken the trail (its goes behind my garage towards the lake), going down was good but struggled to get back up (but I did manage to get up). My issue is I had been placing some gravel onto the path (to level it out) but was unable to pack it down. I plan to have a friend work on the trail with his skid steer (to level and pack it down). So I'm thinking a winch would be a backup in case I have trouble.

 

[BrentR]

Mount a 'stubby' 2" receiver on the frame, put winch on a 2" receiver insert/adapter plate. That way it's EASY to install/remove.Anderson Powerpole connectors to battery, properly fused for electrical.

Sounds good, just need to double check the frame to see what mount will work. Thanks

 

[PaulL]

You'll reasonably quickly work out whether you really need a winch. I'd expect it to pack down, and you should be in 4wd and with diff lock. If you have a bucket you can also use that to creep yourself forward if you have a few small sticky bits. It's unusual to use a winch unless you're recovering logs.

Having said that, it can definitely be done. If your loader is SSQA, one option would be to make an SSQA plate with a winch on it, rather than using a receiver. Not ideal to pull on the loader frame, but would give options.

Otherwise a frame mounted receiver on the front could do it. My B2601 has some bolt holes on the front of the frame, you could weld up a bracket to hold the receiver. Or just weld up a bracket you could bolt on for the winch. Have to be careful it doesn't foul the loader though.

 

[BrentR]

You'll reasonably quickly work out whether you really need a winch. I'd expect it to pack down, and you should be in 4wd and with diff lock. If you have a bucket you can also use that to creep yourself forward if you have a few small sticky bits. It's unusual to use a winch unless you're recovering logs.

Having said that, it can definitely be done. If your loader is SSQA, one option would be to make an SSQA plate with a winch on it, rather than using a receiver. Not ideal to pull on the loader frame, but would give options.

Otherwise a frame mounted receiver on the front could do it. My B2601 has some bolt holes on the front of the frame, you could weld up a bracket to hold the receiver. Or just weld up a bracket you could bolt on for the winch. Have to be careful it doesn't foul the loader though.

Sounds good, thanks for the suggestion.