Wallenstein FX110

[Russell King]

Growing up in Central Texas on a 135 acre farm/ranch was hell when it was hay season…
The temps were around 95 to 100, the field was dusty from dirt and hay, there was no shade near the hay fields, tractors were all open cab, truck was going too slow for any AC, and my father had rigged it up to mostly go by itself or one of the females (Mother or 3 sisters got that job when needed).

Dad hired a man (Mr. Smidt and don’t call him Mr. Smith!) to cut, crimp and bale the hay. Small rectangular bales at 80 pounds (at least) with wire ties. Dad and his two sons (me being the youngest one of them) had to help with the hay equipment and getting the bales out of the fields. I don’t recall how many acres were hay but I remember it being “too many”. Since I was the youngest and weakest, I was in charge of the first layer on the flatbed, had to drag the bales into some sort of pattern and get them straight. Then the second layer was too high for my brother to toss to. So he got to do the second layer stacking. He also started the third layer and would have about a third of that done by the time the second layer got complete. I started making clumps of bales while that went on. Then my brother and I both got to move bales into clumps so my father could throw them onto the second layer of the trailer. As he did that my brother and I had to drag them up a layer or two and make the 3, 4 and 5 layers complete. Move trailer from clump to clump until they are all gone.

Then you had to unload that into a tin pole barn (3 sided) and stack it to the roof. It was always a call as to have a fan blowing dust and hay all over or no fan and tolerate the heat. At least it was in the shade for some of it, and you could cool off with a hose shower.

A few days of that in a row wore out any fun. Oh and the bales of hay that got a snake involved were always good for a screaming good time! Especially those that were between your leg and the bale as you were moving the bale and had no idea why the bale was moving around so much.

Luckily we only had to do that once a year and we eventually sold the farm when I was about 14 or 15. Moved there when I was 3-4. Probably started helping with hay around 5-6.

And it never helped me gain any weight or muscle, I was a string bean up until around 45.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Good day.

Today was first legitimate use of the winch so I thought I would share some reflection in case it helps someone or gives them ideas.

1. tractor set-up:
A. Dual lid grapple up front / hydraulic top link on the back
B. Brush guard / chin guard
C. Canopy (fops would be better / safer)
D. Winch, with scabbard, chain buckets, trailer hitch, quick release snatch block.
E. Velcro strap with carabiner (normally for cords/hoses.

Reflection:
A,B,C, were great and would do those all over again.

D, . If bringing gear / tools/ cooler, there is not a good way to haul much gear into the woods (woods is some jack straws from a storm I did not bring a trailer because of tight space. ). Anyway I should have removed the hitch before winching the logs. Not a big deal but it’s sort of in the way and the logs can grab on it. Since storage base so limited I used E and those worked great off the fence/guard.

I wish I had a second scabbard and maybe a utility box that I could set in the grapple until get to work area for extra water, or tools, cooler or what not. (I like bring two saws into the woods so another scabbard on the loader frame might be in my future.)

Install of the winch:
1. It’s my most difficult to install implement due to the pto as it’s hard for me to get both hands / arms in to slip the snap ring and slide shaft forward. I found best way is set the winch on ground off my pallet cart (which is really helpful to be able to roll it up to machine and it’s very stable (QH no workee with the winch).

Best way I found to hold the pto shaft and the hydraulic top link is a bungee and that made a world of difference like an extra set of hands - install was much easier aside from getting arms/shoulders in between tractor and winch.

Winch operation:
My goodness, it is awesome and very simple. There is a learning curve to get the feel of the two strings for the clutch and brake. Same with efficient hook up and correct order of the logs.

it’s really helpful to be able to pull a log up off a slope or uneven terrain…I was able to winch logs otherwise I would have left in place. So it did what I got it for. I can’t imagine how many people or horses/mules it would take the place of.

in general if rushed or frustrated, with any aspect of it, take a break, get some water and reread the manual. That helped me off the ledge when the drum brake was stuck.

otherwise it’s a simple as the videos make it out to be.

So far I have only done a double log winch pull, the logs were big enough I think it was enough weight as I was traversing some challenging terrain. However I am anxious to try the releasing snatch block next time.

so far very happy with the purchase, the manuals, and customer service at Wally…they are very responsive. It’s still honeymoon, but for now I am very pleased. I look forward to rereading / learning from some of the more advanced members threads with more complex rigging.