3 point hitch winch reviews

[milkie62]

Are there any comparisons good/bad comparing Farmi,Wallenstein & Fransgard winches ? 

[thecfarm]

Labonville sells Norse,just to throw another wrench into the pile. ;D
Norse has a pivot butt plate,the others don't. It can be pinned for dragging.Igland is,from what I have seen on here,just like Norse.And when I was looking, Norse has a higher mast. I had some 4 foot pines and some winches mast was not much more than 4 feet off the ground. But saying that they all do the same job.

[47sawdust]

Winches are like wenches.You have to look them over to see what features are most attractive to you.Mostly it's personal preference,what you can afford and support.

[maple flats]

My experience is only with Fransgard. I was a dealer until 1999 when I sold the dealership. We sold plenty when we were dealers, only had 1 complaint. One owner bent the main shaft. According to Fransgard that could only happen if a big log was pulled up too close and locked in place by locking the drum and not by following the directions that towing should be by hooking each chain in one of the chain slots on the back of the unit. However, Fransgard supplied a new shaft (that the winch is on, not a PTO shaft) and they paid us to change it out.
While we rarely hooked the chains in the slots, we were careful not to pull a load too close, that way in a turn they were free to pivot as necessary.

[g_man]

There is good advise above. The basic winch is simple and will last a long time. Don't overlook making sure the winch will fit your tractor mechanically.

Do a search on Tractor Winch or Farmi, Wallenstein, uniForest, etc you will find lots of info. Here is an interesting thread I found to give you an example

Tractor logging with winch in Forestry and Logging



gg

[grousehunter]

Has anyone purchased and used the new Fransgard V-5000
I purchased a new one and used it recently with my Kubota M 6060.
The first load of three sugar maple logs no longer then 12 feet bent one of the chain slots.
I had a Fami but it was small for the new tractor which I logged with for years and never had a similar experience.
I looked at the same model Farmi I sold and it seems the steel is a little heavier.
Has anyone else had a similar expreience?
Has anyone made a retro fit?
Thanks

[Ed_K]

 I had the next size smaller an found that if you don't keep your chocker close to the end of the log when you drive over a rise/hill it will try to lift the other end of the log off the ground bending the slot or break the chain. I don't even bother with the slots I have 4 slides an a grab hook on now and haven't had any problems.

[dsgsr]

I've had two Fransgards, V4000 bought in '00 and now have the V6500 bought in 2014. Never had a problem with the 4000, yarded hundreds of cord with it over 14-yrs. Have had the 6500 for 5-yrs. Don't cut that much anymore but had to replace the cable twice in the first few months of ownership.


David 

[petefrom bearswamp]

Ive had a farmi since 1994
Works good but I too have bent some of the chain slots due to operator error