Farmi JL501 vs W50R

mjeselskis · March 14, 2021, 09:06:06 PM

Does anyone know what's up with the 'new'? Farmi winch models? I have a JL351 and was thinking about upgrading. I've always planned on that JL501 as the next model up, but now there is a W50R that appears to have identical specs. Just a new model number? Seems unlikely considering how long the JLxxx model numbers have been around.

thecfarm · March 14, 2021, 09:13:39 PM

Are you sure about the weight? ???
I looked up the specs on the JL, 375 pounds, the W is only 250 pounds.

I would be concerned about the light weight of the newer model. Yes, you can pick up and haul more, but the woods is hard on stuff. I myself would want more weight, heavier built, I would think.
Why do you want a different one?

mjeselskis · March 14, 2021, 09:32:48 PM

Quote from: thecfarm on March 14, 2021, 09:13:39 PM
Are you sure about the weight? ???
I looked up the specs on the JL, 375 pounds, the W is only 250 pounds. I would be concerned about the light weight of the newer model. Yes, you can pick up and haul more, but the woods is hard on stuff. I myself would want more weight, heavier built, I would think.
Why do you want a different one?

When I looked, the 501 is listed at 550lbs and the w50r is 250kg which is the same I believe.

The odd thing is the 501 specs are on payeur.com and the w50r is on farmiforest.com Finland but looks too be sold in the US

Farmi JL501 - Distributions Payeur inc.

W50 R | Farmi Forest

pwrwagontom · March 14, 2021, 10:34:28 PM

I just bought a new 351 in January, and the dealer informed me that they have changed the model numbers. I got a W35R, and it's identical both in spec and build just with different decals.

thecfarm · March 15, 2021, 06:39:04 AM

Must of looked at it wrong. I did not notice the kg. :

carry on. ;D

mjeselskis · March 15, 2021, 08:41:45 AM

Quote from: pwrwagontom on March 14, 2021, 10:34:28 PM
I just bought a new 351 in January, and the dealer informed me that they have changed the model numbers. I got a W35R, and it's identical both in spec and build just with different decals.

Thanks. I figured they would have made it easier to figure that out. They've been reliable forever, so I couldn't imagine they changed much. I did notice that they have European- inspired WxxB models that have a brake band that locks on as soon as you stop winching, but I prefer the old style ratchet drum brake. Less to break/maintain that way.

g_man · March 16, 2021, 05:46:21 PM

Good to know they are the same - hard to find anything as bullet proof as a 501. I like the pawl type brake too. But I did add an automatic brake to my 501 that is applied with a lever. Comes in handy fairly often.

gg

mjeselskis · March 16, 2021, 08:21:11 PM

The salesman I talked to today first said they were the same, then came back after he checked and said the W50R is the same guts as the 501, but a smaller frame... Not what I wanted to hear. Unfortunately, he's in New York and the W50R is backordered until May so I can't check it out.

What does your automatic brake do, always engage when you stop pulling in? When do you use it?

g_man · March 16, 2021, 08:25:07 PM

Quote from: mjeselskis on March 16, 2021, 08:21:11 PM
The salesman I talked to today first said they were the same, then came back after he checked and said the W50R is the same guts as the 501, but a smaller frame... Not what I wanted to hear. Unfortunately, he's in New York and the W50R is backordered until May so I can't check it out.

What does your automatic brake do, always engage when you stop pulling in? When do you use it?

Yes, you got it. Here's a short video showing how it works.
Automatic Brake Mod on Farmi JL501 Winch - YouTube
gg

mjeselskis · March 16, 2021, 08:30:46 PM

Quote from: g_man on March 16, 2021, 08:25:07 PM
Quote from: mjeselskis on March 16, 2021, 08:21:11 PM
The salesman I talked to today first said they were the same, then came back after he checked and said the W50R is the same guts as the 501, but a smaller frame... Not what I wanted to hear. Unfortunately, he's in New York and the W50R is backordered until May so I can't check it out.

What does your automatic brake do, always engage when you stop pulling in? When do you use it?
Yes, you got it. Here's a short video showing how it works.
Automatic Brake Mod on Farmi JL501 Winch - YouTube
gg

Nice. I need to get one of those self releasing snatch blocks!

thecfarm · March 16, 2021, 08:37:36 PM

I see now, a good idea.
The Norse I have does that. A quick pull on the rope will lock the drum.
I've twitched a lot of big pine out that way.
I know the book says not too, but when you have pine bigger than 3 feet across it's the only way to get the butt off the ground.
He's a master on the snatching. :D

mjeselskis · March 17, 2021, 10:29:46 AM

I think I got to the bottom of it. Technically, there was no change between the JL501 and W50R, but that is because they changed the JL501 first.

Here's a JL501 like g_man has and I am looking for. These have been proven reliable for years. Notice the top pulley is supported on top of the pulley.

This is the new JL501 that is shorter and does not have the same support for the top pulley. This one is now called the W50R.

I'm thinking the farmi name may have been sold at some point. They used to have Normet on them, but now it's Farmi forest. Time will tell if there was an impact on reliability. Unfortunately, most manufacturing changes seem to make the product lighter, weaker, and cheaper to make with a focus on planned obsolescence.

pwrwagontom · March 17, 2021, 08:12:29 PM

Quote from: mjeselskis on March 17, 2021, 10:29:46 AM
I think I got to the bottom of it. Technically, there was no change between the JL501 and W50R, but that is because they changed the JL501 first.

Here's a JL501 like g_man has and I am looking for. These have been proven reliable for years. Notice the top pulley is supported on top of the pulley.

This is the new JL501 that is shorter and does not have the same support for the top pulley. This one is now called the W50R.

I'm thinking the farmi name may have been sold at some point. They used to have Normet on them, but now it's Farmi forest. Time will tell if there was an impact on reliability. Unfortunately, most manufacturing changes seem to make the product lighter, weaker, and cheaper to make with a focus on planned obsolescence.

Very interesting! I think my W35R has Normet on the serial number tag, at least I thought it did...I'm gonna have to check on that now!
I do know it says manufactured in Finland.
The only other Farmi's I have to compare it to is my old (1980s) JL300, and my friend's JL45 which is a different animal.
Perhaps the dozer blade is thinner gauge material? I can't say for sure, as my JL300 had the twin legs instead.

EDIT: I just did some quick searching... Normet sold Farmi in August 2020! Purchased by Ferrel AS, an Estonian company that makes trailers and tractor attachments.... :-\

mjeselskis · March 17, 2021, 08:45:09 PM

Quote from: pwrwagontom on March 17, 2021, 08:12:29 PM
Quote from: mjeselskis on March 17, 2021, 10:29:46 AM
I think I got to the bottom of it. Technically, there was no change between the JL501 and W50R, but that is because they changed the JL501 first.

Here's a JL501 like g_man has and I am looking for. These have been proven reliable for years. Notice the top pulley is supported on top of the pulley.

This is the new JL501 that is shorter and does not have the same support for the top pulley. This one is now called the W50R.

I'm thinking the farmi name may have been sold at some point. They used to have Normet on them, but now it's Farmi forest. Time will tell if there was an impact on reliability. Unfortunately, most manufacturing changes seem to make the product lighter, weaker, and cheaper to make with a focus on planned obsolescence.
Very interesting! I think my W35R has Normet on the serial number tag, at least I thought it did...I'm gonna have to check on that now!
I do know it says manufactured in Finland.
The only other Farmi's I have to compare it to is my old (1980s) JL300, and my friend's JL45 which is a different animal.
Perhaps the dozer blade is thinner gauge material? I can't say for sure, as my JL300 had the twin legs instead.

EDIT: I just did some quick searching... Normet sold Farmi in August 2020! Purchased by Ferrel AS, an Estonian company that makes trailers and tractor attachments.... :-\

Maybe the quality stays as great as it's always been, but I'm skeptical. I'm going to try to find a good used Normet 501

mike_belben · March 18, 2021, 09:54:35 AM

im really impressed and a tad envious of what you guys are able to do with real tractors and PTO winches, especially speed wise. If i could afford one id have it.

Do any of you own the "Job38 four" youtube channel? It came up after Gmans twitch vid for me and seems like someone here. A real mad max woods converted kubota.. man after my own heart.