Skidding Winch PTO Angle

[DPJ]

I just purchased a new Wallenstein FX-140 skidding winch and I'm doing the initial setup.  This is mounted on my JD6105 (105hp) tractor.  I cut down the pto shaft and when the shaft is completely level the winch is 9" off the ground and when all the way down, on my shop floor, the pto angle is around 30%-35%, which is way too step of an angle to operate. 
Most logs I can winch with it raised but I have some very large trees that are going to require the winch to secure itself prior to pulling. 
I can place a couple 10x10 beams under the winch for it to rest on but once pulling my guess is the winch will just skid over the top of the beams or the beams will slide on the ground. 
Any suggestions on how I can secure my tractor and winch while skidding with the winch 9" off the ground?  I'm often pulling from an open field so there are not other large trees to secure to. 
Thanks,
DPJ

[DPJ]

I have a little correction in my initial post.  I bought a digital angle gauge and the PTO shaft is at 23.2% when all the way down. 

[Magicman]

May not be relative but I found it interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idk3BVDVHq4

[Andries]

I've got some Wallenstein equipment as well, and found it to be really well-made. What does the owners manual of your new winch say the angle should be when the winch is dug into the ground and ready for a heavy pull? 
Twenty three degrees angle for the pto shaft doesn't sound bad at all, that's less than half of a 45° angle.
If the owners manual doesn't specifically say, I found that phoning Wallenstein service has been exceptionally supportive.

[PoginyHill]

Seems to me the only possible damage would be pre-mature failing of the U-joints. Even still, that would likely be 100's of hours use. Rather inexpensive and easy to replace. MagicMan's video was very interesting. Didn't know the irregular speed of the shaft could be cancelled out with the output shaft being parallel with the input shaft. That is basically the set-up of a winch, so long as the phase of the U-joints are proper.

[g_man]

The JP290 winch on my L3010 is like that. I have used it steady for over 20 years and don't baby it. Have not had any trouble. A smaller tractor than yours for sure but things are relative. A winch is a low rpm, low duty cycle unit. Way different than than running a bushhog at 540 for hours at a time. If it was mine I wouldn't think twice about 25* angle. I also agree with what PoginyHill says.








Edit: You will need the dozer blade on/in the ground - especially in big wood. It's main function is to put the winching hold force into the ground and minimize the force and stress on your tractor.
gg

[DPJ]

Thanks everyone. 
The manual says to not exceed a 15% angle at the pto shaft.  I have a 105 hp tractor so even at idle I should have plenty of power for pulling and the slower RPM speed will have less wear and tear on the u0joints. 
My current 24% angle is on my shop floor so when dug into the ground 6" inches that number is going to increase. 
I need to do some tests and if needed I can weld on a 10" plow type cutting edge to the bottom to fill the gap. 
Thanks

[thecfarm]

Have you run the winch all the way down?

Once in a great while I will forget to shut the pto off and raise the winch. 
That pto shaft will make a racket. And I mean a racket!!!! It's at the wrong angle and it's telling me so. 

When I am winching you would not even know it's turning.
I have no idea what angle mine is at when I am winching.

 All I know is, it's quiet.