jackrabbit
ArboristSite Member
Anybody have and use these? What do you think? I had never seen one till recently on youtube. Looks really cool! Their website says out of stock. Anybody have one they want to sell?
Lewis Winch?
- Thread starter jackrabbit
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I've been looking for a good USA made used one for years. I have powerheads I could dedicate to one.
The Lewis portable chainsaw winch is a very nice piece. They are expensive, but most high quality things are. With a Snatch Block they are quite powerful — rated at 8,000 pounds pull. If you want something a bit easier on the checkbook, the Wyeth-Scott ratchet puller (come-along) is better than 1/2 the cost. Both can be found at www.BaileysOnline.com
JQ
JQ
Lookup “Portable Wench” I have one of theirs and it’s great. Works real good.
'Portable wench'?--that search just got me a bunch of babes with cars.
Yes, I've used one in a perfect application about 14 years ago. We lost the access plate from the undercarriage of a JD 892 'somewhere' out in a cut-block; company president and I went out with my metal detector to find it and darned if I didn't succeed, well buried under slash. And of course it had fallen out right near the bottom of the block, yarded from the road above--and after all the equipment was moved to the next block.
We winched it about half a mile up probably average 40 degree slope in Coast Mountains using a Lewis winch. It took a fair number of settings to get it that far, but the winch worked flawlessly and we got the plate back.
This is a 1" thick steel plate about 3 feet diameter for those not familiar with the 892; big enough for a man to get in to access the underside of the swing motor. The job was a perfect application of the winch.
(Perfect application of a wench is bringing a platter of beer...groan)
Yes, I've used one in a perfect application about 14 years ago. We lost the access plate from the undercarriage of a JD 892 'somewhere' out in a cut-block; company president and I went out with my metal detector to find it and darned if I didn't succeed, well buried under slash. And of course it had fallen out right near the bottom of the block, yarded from the road above--and after all the equipment was moved to the next block.
We winched it about half a mile up probably average 40 degree slope in Coast Mountains using a Lewis winch. It took a fair number of settings to get it that far, but the winch worked flawlessly and we got the plate back.
This is a 1" thick steel plate about 3 feet diameter for those not familiar with the 892; big enough for a man to get in to access the underside of the swing motor. The job was a perfect application of the winch.
(Perfect application of a wench is bringing a platter of beer...groan)
We like to hunt an area that has several deep canyons. I've heard this radio call several times.....
"Send down the wench with the winch!"
"Send down the wench with the winch!"
jackrabbit
ArboristSite Member
I'm gonna have to get me one..... If anybody hears of a used one for sale, let me know. Thanks!
Be prepared--they're never cheap. But anyone who can do a bit of fabricating can duplicate the idea for a lot less--'labour not included'. They aren't rocket science, just very well made. I can't say that I've ever seen one harmed by loggers, and many on this site will know how good they have to be for that.
I have one, it works well
jackrabbit
ArboristSite Member
As many as are out there, I would think there would be one show up on ebay or the trading post once in a while. I'm sure they do, but I have never seen one. New ones are on backorder right now. I know you can put about any powerhead on it, but I wonder how much one actually needs? I would suspect I end up pushing it's limits, so I do I need a MS660 on it? Or will it work fine with a 372 Husky?
jackrabbit
ArboristSite Member
I agree about building one. The problem with most of my home made stuff is it all turns out so heavy.
We didn't have a big powerhead on it, I think 372 will work just fine. Remember that the whole idea of the Lewis is portability. No point in getting the winch so big it takes a big wench to carry it; they tend to not look as good when they get to the really big tough ones. Why, even ones like Doorfx pictured above are as likely to beat the crap out of you as carry your winch.
jackrabbit
ArboristSite Member
Cool! I didn't think about checking in Canada. Thank you!
Had one worked good, just didnt use it enuff to keep it.
Had a 2071 on it.
Thats a green douglas fir log, 320 yrs old, blow down.
Had a 2071 on it.
Thats a green douglas fir log, 320 yrs old, blow down.
firekindler
ArboristSite Member
A number of years ago I heard the company sold and the quality went down somewhat. I got mine in 2001, before the company sale, and it worked great. I used it for one job and never again. We cut 1/4-1/2 acre holes in a tanoak forest in December, yarded out the firewood logs in January, and replanted with Douglas fir in February. I'd sell mine, but I don't do online transactions, so you would have to take a trip or get resourceful on how to make the payment.
And yeah, a 372 is sufficient. I used my 371. If I remember correctly, they recommend 4-4+ cubic inch powerheads.
And yeah, a 372 is sufficient. I used my 371. If I remember correctly, they recommend 4-4+ cubic inch powerheads.
firekindler
ArboristSite Member
Just found this: https://lewiswinch.com/pages/choosing-the-right-chainsaw
Depending on what you’re pulling and where, the Honda capstan winches are worth considering, too.
