Can anyone recommend a particular brand and capacity of electric winch for tree work. I have a job coming up where the homeowner wants us to pull 20 inch diameter walnut logs up a hill and keep them cut at a minimum of 8'6". I usually use a mini-skid steer but the saw logs will be too heavy for the mini to lift. I am going to mount the winch to an F-450.
Truck Winch
- Thread starter cedar
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No, but just a suggestion. If you have some runout at the top of the hill and a decent sized tree up top, just through a block about 10-12' up a sturdy tree at the top, run your bullrope through the block and down to the log. That will keep the butt out of the dirt and that miniskid should drag em right on up.
Had a warn winch on my jeep that never let me down.
Some of the cheaper winches were incredibly slow even unloaded, but a couple of my buddies like their smittybuilts.
Go for at least a 12000lb winch
Some of the cheaper winches were incredibly slow even unloaded, but a couple of my buddies like their smittybuilts.
Go for at least a 12000lb winch
it really has to do with how much friction the log creates from plowing. a plowing log and a strong enough winch will pull your truck to the log. when we pull logs with a winch, I strap a dolly to the front of the log. I cut a "v" into the blade of the dolly and set the log in it. I also cut the handle off the dolly cause it dug into the dirt. like a trencher on a dozer. I can pull a 20' long 12" diameter maple with a 2000 lb atv winch. I don't know if a dolly will hold what you are doing. maybe the extra large ones. (harbor freight $80?) you could get a junked suv or s-10 axle and tires, weld a "V" and use it. or lay a path of logs like Egyptians.
PassionForTrees
ArboristSite Operative
SUPERWINCH THE TALON SERIES 12500LB. I have a set up that is a 2 inch receiver mount to front or back of the truck and on the loader. Man you can do alot of things with that thing. Cant run all day long it can heat up and get real hot. but intermitten it is solid strong and line speed is 62fpm which I cant find a faster one than that. Common sense will take you a long way.
imagineero
Addicted to ArboristSite
As a variation on what jolly logger said, something that has worked for me is similar, but with a 2:1. Instead of running the rope from your winch, up the tree, than down to the log, tie one end of the rope to the top of the tree, take the rope down the hill to the log, attach a block to the log, then take the rope back up the hill to your winch. You get a little less lift this way, but you double your pulling capacity. If you don't have the winch, you can use the skidder as the pull, set a pulley in the same tree high enough off the ground that the rope won't snag, then pull with the mini. Setting the 'pull end' of the rope closer to the ground means that you get more pull too. If you were trying to pull from the higher pulley, the angle of the rope would be trying to lift the mini off the ground as you were pulling, reducing your traction.
Shaun
Shaun
flushcut
Addicted to ArboristSite
A hydraulic winch is a better option if you are still going that route. A electric will burn up after a short while.
How to keep logs from plowing dirt
If you take a plastic trash can and cut a hole in the center of the bottom, then run your cable/rope through the hole and then attach to the log, then push the can down to the log.
The front of the log rides in the can (looks like a missile head) and won't plow dirt. I drag a lot of logs this way and it works like a charm. It also helps keep it from getting covered in dirt and dulling your chain when cut.
If you take a plastic trash can and cut a hole in the center of the bottom, then run your cable/rope through the hole and then attach to the log, then push the can down to the log.
The front of the log rides in the can (looks like a missile head) and won't plow dirt. I drag a lot of logs this way and it works like a charm. It also helps keep it from getting covered in dirt and dulling your chain when cut.
Guido Salvage
Supreme Saw Whoreder
I would go with a hydraulic or PTO driven winch. Got a hydraulic one on my rollback and have had both 12K and 8K PTO driven winches on trucks and both worked well.
