PTO install discussion

A friend just landed a firewood contract and asked me for some help. Well, the gears started turning and I started to do some research on how we could skid our logs to the edge of the road instead of carrying rounds.

A PTO winch seems like a good method. What exactly do I need to fit onto my t19? Im looking for anyone with more knowledge about this than me (everyone). How much would this setup cost?

In the meantime, I am going to install a cheap electric winch. I will use a 12000lb with snatch blocks. I pretty much plan on putting this winch to the test and taking advantage of harbor freights return policy if need be.

Loading logs on a truck. Looks like just a 3000 winch.

I would think that a 12,000 lb. winch should drag out about any tree you want to cut down. If not, I sure don't want anything to do with that tree!

Ask @FORDF250HDXLT what he uses.

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IDIBRONCO said:

I would think that a 12,000 lb. winch should drag out about any tree you want to cut down. If not, I sure don't want anything to do with that tree!

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I chose the 12k lb rating for self recovery of the truck.

I plan on using a winch to pull the logs closer to the road. Cant really load them up like that into the pickup bed. Besides I think we can only take a 6ft log out. Max length for firewood.

I picked up a logging contract last year, second year with my 94 idi. I use a truck mounted hydraulic crane with a 1 ton warn winch on it and it has worked great so far. 35ft cable, welded to a 6in Ibeam crossmember under the bed, has a timber claw on the end of it. Ive picked 2ft diameter, 6ft long pieces of red oak with it.

79jasper said:

Ask @FORDF250HDXLT what he uses.

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Click to expand...

Scott tagged me the other day and I got a notification.This is the second tag you tried where I happened to just see them and neither time worked.
I wonder if it's because your using the mobile version of the site? I dunno why that is.

To twitch logs to the road,to a truck,a hydraulic winch would be handy but the truck itself is all I use.I have a 18k lb rope and just pull the logs using the truck.
That is,when I'm not on someones lawn,which 99% of the time I am.
Sometimes you need to reset a time or two but it's faster than a winch anyway.
To lift the logs onto log truck,I use an auto crane 3203 prx.


As an arborist where I specialize in pruning and difficult removals (most often climbing the tree to the top to lower in sections,due to being near houses and other property where tree's can't be felled whole) where I focus on a single tree or handful of trees at a time,this works good.

For felling,bucking and lifting continually all day where more actual "logging" is the primary focus,I would want to try and find a full hydraulic crane,not a electric/hydraulic hybrid like the 3203.That is of course if you don't have or don't think getting a trailer and tractor to load logs with would be best.

electric winches have always been around towing but used with mixed results. Hydraulics otoh, does not know the word quit

Pto winches and hydraulic winches I think are rated at their capacity as the MINIMUM. I hear the m715 guys doing all sortsa dumb stuff with their winches(pto drive shaft)

If hydro, you got it easy. Grab a Saginaw and plumb it! I know it would be slow, but hey it's easier than a driveshaft mounted. But check out the m715 setup. It's a t18? With the PTO gear box on her

Ok maybe I will re think this. Instead of the pto and winch I can buy rope or cable, some tree straps and snatch blocks. Then I will be able to pull logs even though the forestry road will be 90 degrees, perpendicular, to the way the log needs to travel.

Sometimes I overthink things.

I just finished swapping a zf5 into my 94 idi that has two PTO mounts and i have been curious about what can be done with it.

Just food for thought... Dragging logs out may not be the best way if you are planning on bucking it up for firewood. Dragging will fill the bark with grit and be really tough on your saws. I also think that winching will take a lot of time; it might be more efficient for you to cut into manageable lengths and find a better way of loading. I know there will be times when a winch is a necessity but I would think that in many cases it will only increase handling and slow you down.

Better get it this week, hell'va buy, and good winch too. $289 til the 3rd of May.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12000-lb-Off-Road-Vehicle-Electric-Winch-with-Automatic-Load-Holding-Brake-61256.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiNzYwODc1NTgiLCJza3UiOiI2MTI1NiIsImlzIjoiMjg5Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p ZCI6IjEwMTQ2In0=

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=winch+mount+rail

Thanks for the link. I was planning on buying this with a 20% off coupon but this deal is much better.

Now how do I add a front hitch receiver?