another 3pt. logging winch idea

711ac · December 01, 2011, 08:10:26 PM

I know that there have been a bunch of homebuilds already but I think that I have an idea that is a little different and wondered what you all thought. I have a hard time justifying the cost of the store bought units but I really like the way that they operate, that is pull rope to drag and regulate speed. Most of the homemade rigs use an old pto winch, and even if it's hyd operated, there are still cable winding issues with such a wide drum along with some other problems that I think that would make me regret that I am such a cheapskate.
To get to my idea for the main parts of the winch is using a truck axle, preferably one that has or can be fitted with a disc brake. I'd make a winch drum out of a wheel (size and width tbd) and put a lever of some sort on an old master cylinder that would brake the oposite side of the axle. With and "open" diferenial in the axle the PTO could be left engaged with the motion (power) going out thru the "brake" side of the axle. To engage the drum, you would push a lever, pull a rope, or whatever to activate the brake and send the power to the drum side. You might have to build in some "drag" on the drum side to make sure that it did not drift. But that's basically the hardest part of the winch to simulate and It's just so simple that it makes me think that I'm overlooking something or there be a ton of these out there. The frame, fairleeds, blades and all of the other parts are pretty simple, it's just the "guts" of "storebought" winch that's hard to substitute.

I'm wondering if a brake would provide enough power to keep the drum working on a hard pull. It would be nice to have some type of lever engaged "posi" of locking diff. like on a tractor.

Do you think that it would spin too fast.
Doesn't a "rear" spin twice as fast when all the power is going to one side, (this I will need to be sure of when trying to figure line speed)

I'm thinking about a std. 6.5"X16" wheel (for starters) to keep cable spooling in check. But am concerned that this diameter will be too fast.

Now that I'm thinking about some details, how sweet would a nice narrow forklift axle be with twin drums w/a brake at each side?
Help me remember what I'm forgetting!

beenthere · December 01, 2011, 08:20:16 PM

Now when are you starting the build? ;)
Take some pics too. We like pics.

711ac · December 01, 2011, 08:28:02 PM

Oh I'm still in the planning stage and waiting for approval, from the forum that is :D I'll take plenty of pics. when I get going, don't wory.

pineywoods · December 01, 2011, 08:31:25 PM

711ac, what you are describing will work. In times past, something like this was used to operate a type of log loader called a sidewinder. Mounted on a truck and powered off a pto on the truck tranny. Click on this link for a complete description
Long link to thread

BBTom · December 01, 2011, 08:33:36 PM

I must be turning into an old fuddy-duddy, cause all I can think of when I visualize your winch is safety, safety, safety. The cost of one of those commercial winces might be cheap compared to the medical bills.

Banjo picker · December 01, 2011, 09:38:32 PM

Still several of those side loaders in use around here. Log truck loads itself..so no need for a knuckleboom...just slower...My concern is that used on a tractor it might turn it over before you knew you were in trouble..it would be nice if you could come up with the speed...Banjo

Taylortractornut · December 01, 2011, 09:42:00 PM

A rear end will double the speed when one is locked. Most lift truck axles are floating axles and some even have an end gear reduction with a gear in the end of the axle and an internal gear cut i nthe hub. Im about to rebuild a Farmi thats been worn out for a customer. Im making the winch a clutch type like an old Savannah style side loader. They used a floating rear end off a 3/4 tone or 1 ton truck. Yo uhave to center drill the axle and tap it for a hydraulic swivel fitting to go into it. Then bolt a sprocket to the drum. When the pto runs the sprocket will free wheel then you apply pressure from the Master cylinder the brakes will grab the drum and make it draw the spool in.