Hans1,welcome to the forum.Don't know what your JD 85hp tractor is,but I do hope it's a 4WD if you plan on putting a winch on it.Will make a differance if you're on your land or someones elses.I have a Norse winch on the back of my 40hp Ford.It likes it.But I cut on my own land so I can take the time to keep my twitch trails clear of brush,and I pick the best way through the woods.Some of my trails have been in use for more than 40 years.A tractor is not a skidder.It takes me alot longer to get out a load than it would with a skidder.But I can do a very neat job with my tractor.A much better job than I could with a skidder.I do not run over my brush,just can't with a tractor,unless you put a steel plate to act as a bush guard,but I still would not do it.I can usally winch the logs,trees out of the brush or out of a wet hole or a rocky spot.I have twitched out some very good size logs with my 40hp,that 85 will do alot.
