Poor man's logging winch

[altoonapillarrock]

I installed a Superwinch 3500 in place of the backhoe bucket on my BX24. I need to tidy up the wiring but the winch works great. I set it up so everything except the battery wires and circuit breaker come off the tractor when the winch is not in use. I just use the remote to control the winch. I didn't use the ATV handlebar switch that comes with the winch for obvious reasons.
I built a wooden box for the solenoid and connections which mounts to the ROP. This comes off with 2 bolts. I will use the winch during the time of year I cut firewood. After that the bucket goes back. I used more connectors than I needed but I want the system to small parts for storage.
Our property is very steep and I need to get trees up to the road to process them for firewood. Decades ago I just cut trees into pieces and humped them up to the road. I have been backing the tractor up and pulling logs with hooks on the FEL bucket. This got too exciting when I would raise the bucket up to get a better angle.
Winch $179
Adapter for 2" receiver $75
Bxpanded 2" receiver replacing bucket $129
6 ga wire and miscellaneous connectors and crimper $45

I would rather have a Wallenstein FX35, but these cost $3000+.

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[WFM]

Well....you certainly did put in a lot of work building and wiring it.
I'm no expert, but it seems like if your winching a 12" log, you would be stressing the backhoe arm somewhat. If your winching like 6" logs then probley no issues. Generally the winch mounted close to the machine, I'm just not sure about out on the arm.

 

[BAP]

Be careful, that looks like a good way to flip your machine over onto yourself. Unlike logging winches, electric winches cannot quickly drop their load if something goes wrong.

 

[altoonapillarrock]

Well....you certainly did put in a lot of work building and wiring it.

I'm no expert, but it seems like if your winching a 12" log, you would be stressing the backhoe arm somewhat. If your winching like 6" logs then probley no issues. Generally the winch mounted close to the machine, I'm just not sure about out on the arm.

Mostly I will be pulling a 10' length of a 10" alder. This may be a short lived experiment.


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[altoonapillarrock]

Be careful, that looks like a good way to flip your machine over onto yourself. Unlike logging winches, electric winches cannot quickly drop their load if something goes wrong.

I don't have any experience with winches. I will keep this in mind.


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[D2Cat]

A couple of things you could do for safety while experimenting is to keep your bucket full of dirt and keep it low. And, if room allows, leave your outriggers about 10" off the ground. That does not leave much room for any movement of your tractor.

 

[NF6X]

I thought that the electrical system capacity on these compact tractors is pretty small. Can it keep up with a big load like an electric winch? I would imagine that there would be a duty cycle limitation to let the smallish alternator recharge the battery after doing some winching.

 

[coachgeo]

suggested weight up front seems to be spot on for safety (full FEL bucket down low).

Another discussion on similar topic (trailer ball on B.hoe) suggested chains or?? from B.hoe bucket to rear of tractor to lessen stress on B.Hoe arms. Maybe two chains diagonal out to axle on each side or?

 

[Daren Todd]

Logging winch has an A-frame built into the unit. The whole purpose is to lock the load and weight to the ground when winching in trees. It also helps keep the tractor from dragging backwards while winching.

Nice thing with your winch mounted to the back hoe. Drop your stabilizers while winching and keep the winch low. This will help keep you stability while winching the logs

 

[beckmurph]

As I look at your set:
I think you would have better results if it was mounted on the fel.
Your backhoe would be a good counter weight.
Mount your brackets inside on the bottom of your bucket. [emoji848]


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[altoonapillarrock]

I thought that the electrical system capacity on these compact tractors is pretty small. Can it keep up with a big load like an electric winch? I would imagine that there would be a duty cycle limitation to let the smallish alternator recharge the battery after doing some winching.

The 6 ga wire comes right off the battery. The battery is a 26R small car battery. No problem drying my smoke test. We'll see what happens when I pull logs.


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[altoonapillarrock]

A couple of things you could do for safety while experimenting is to keep your bucket full of dirt and keep it low. And, if room allows, leave your outriggers about 10" off the ground. That does not leave much room for any movement of your tractor.

I already thought of the bucket of damp clay. I was going to put the outriggers on the ground. Maybe better to leave them close. I am going to align the tractor with the pull and use a snatch block if necessary.


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[altoonapillarrock]

Logging winch has an A-frame built into the unit. The whole purpose is to lock the load and weight to the ground when winching in trees. It also helps keep the tractor from dragging backwards while winching.

Nice thing with your winch mounted to the back hoe. Drop your stabilizers while winching and keep the winch low. This will help keep you stability while winching the logs

Agreed. My wife won't let me buy a real logging winch.


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[altoonapillarrock]

As I look at your set:
I think you would have better results if it was mounted on the fel.
Your backhoe would be a good counter weight.
Mount your brackets inside on the bottom of your bucket. [emoji848]


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Might be a good plan B.


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[Daren Todd]

Agreed. My wife won't let me buy a real logging winch.


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We used to have one mounted to my dad's L2250. I believe it was made by Westondorf. But dont quote me on that. Winch was actually rated for a 50 hp tractor, but the price was right Used to use the snot out of it in the fall and winter. I've probably hauled close to 100 cord worth of logs with it, Plus another 30 or so log truck loads worth for pulp when I was in high school. They aren't too practical due to the cost for part time use. But when your serious and making a living off fire wood and pulp wood, they are worth there weight in gold Dad sold it to a buddy of his back in 94'. His buddy still had it as of 3 years ago and still uses it. Only thing that's been replaced/ repaired were the clutches, and it's on its second set. A good one is pretty much bullet proof and will out live and work you

 

[Tooljunkie]

Run it as you have it. Outriggers on ground. Bucket with ballast in it, also on ground. Those winches will pull 3500 rolling load on second layer of cable. So really overrated if anything. You will have no issues if you take care and keep loads low as possible. Freewheel cable out will save battery.
That hoe will lift rear of tractor, its way tougher than winch, keep that in mind if you start moving hoe with cable attatched to something.

 

[altoonapillarrock]

We used to have one mounted to my dad's L2250. I believe it was made by Westondorf. But dont quote me on that. Winch was actually rated for a 50 hp tractor, but the price was right Used to use the snot out of it in the fall and winter. I've probably hauled close to 100 cord worth of logs with it, Plus another 30 or so log truck loads worth for pulp when I was in high school. They aren't too practical due to the cost for part time use. But when your serious and making a living off fire wood and pulp wood, they are worth there weight in gold Dad sold it to a buddy of his back in 94'. His buddy still had it as of 3 years ago and still uses it. Only thing that's been replaced/ repaired were the clutches, and it's on its second set. A good one is pretty much bullet proof and will out live and work you

Thanks, sound like good memories. I'm 75 so it's pretty hard for to make a business case for one. Maybe I will find a used one.


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[altoonapillarrock]

Run it as you have it. Outriggers on ground. Bucket with ballast in it, also on ground. Those winches will pull 3500 rolling load on second layer of cable. So really overrated if anything. You will have no issues if you take care and keep loads low as possible. Freewheel cable out will save battery.
That hoe will lift rear of tractor, its way tougher than winch, keep that in mind if you start moving hoe with cable attatched to something.

Thanks, good advice.


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[Flintlock42003]

You might try the other end:

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[altoonapillarrock]

Looks good.


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