Log skidding winch

Rosohatica

Member

Equipment
Kubota L3200 tractor, Tehnos MULS 130 flail mower, Fužinar Batuje 14” plow
Feb 23, 2022
128
22
18
Zagreb, Croatia
Hello, I am thinking of buying used Kubota L3200. The owner tells me the tractor has only been used in forest for log skidding with winch. It is tractor from 2007. and it has 600 working hours. Is winch hard on tractor comparing to agricultural implements? Should I be worried? What should I pay attention to? Thanks in advance.
 

NCL4701

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L4701, T2290, WC68, grapple, BB1572, Farmi W50R, Howes 500, 16kW IMD gen, WG24
Apr 27, 2020
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I’d be looking for cracks and welds where they don’t belong: steering components, axles, 3 point lift arm mounts on the tractor, and particularly the toplink mount on the tractor. Used improperly or a bit carelessly, a winch can put quite a lot of force on the toplink.

If it has a loader, same thing: look for cracks and non-original welds. Get it somewhere flat so you can make sure it isn’t twisted or bent.

I would also run it through every gear (or range if HST) forward and back to ensure the transmission has no obvious issues.

Check fluids for contamination. If fluids and filters are pristine from recent change I’d think hard about passing; if recent change and hours don’t indicate time to change that would be a hard pass for me. Fresh paint is kind of the same, especially on a tractor with that type usage history.

Problem with using it as a skidder is it really depends on the operator, terrain, and load size how hard that is on the machine. Could be anywhere from moderate use to heavy abuse, so look hard for any signs of abuse and pass if you see abuse. And yes, I have a skidding winch so not throwing shade at winches.

Admittedly not an exhaustive list, but a few things to consider.
 
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N3BP

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B7200DT, B7200HST-D, L2900GST, L3010 HST TLB
Sep 20, 2016
473
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Lebanon, PA
I'll second that winching is hard on a machine. This is especially true if you need to anchor your tractor to a fixed object in order winch something out. Been there, done that, and got the broken parts postcard....
 
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hedgerow

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Jan 2, 2015
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Malcolm NE
Hello, I am thinking of buying used Kubota L3200. The owner tells me the tractor has only been used in forest for log skidding with winch. It is tractor from 2007. and it has 600 working hours. Is winch hard on tractor comparing to agricultural implements? Should I be worried? What should I pay attention to? Thanks in advance.
I have done a lot of pasture, timber cleaning on farms over the years and I can't think of a harder way to use a tractor than doing forest work and skidding logs. I would walk away from that tractor I would run. I don't care how careful you are with brush and tress they are hard on equipment. That's why I have a old Cat track loader it likes that kind of work and keeps going.
 
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Rosohatica

Member

Equipment
Kubota L3200 tractor, Tehnos MULS 130 flail mower, Fužinar Batuje 14” plow
Feb 23, 2022
128
22
18
Zagreb, Croatia
I have done a lot of pasture, timber cleaning on farms over the years and I can't think of a harder way to use a tractor than doing forest work and skidding logs. I would walk away from that tractor I would run. I don't care how careful you are with brush and tress they are hard on equipment. That's why I have a old Cat track loader it likes that kind of work and keeps going.
Hi thank you all for opinions and responses. I have posted photos of this tractor here in another thread. Does that change any of your opinions? https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/kubota-l3200.69554/post-731614
 

GreensvilleJay

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Apr 2, 2019
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
gee, tractor's only been used 3 hours a month over it's age, so doubt it's been 'beat up' by winching, though 'logs' mean different things to different people.
If I wanted it, it was 'clean',mechanically fit and priced right, I'd buy it.
 
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