Portable Winch

[Quebecnewf]

In Kevins drawing you would put 7500 lbs of line pull on the log using the capstan winch. This will move a very heavy log but it will be slow.

Do you log in the winter or summer and what is the ground and brush like.


Quebecnewf

[aniakhenry]

Quebecnewf,

I have logged during both seasons.  I really prefer the winter with sleds.  I would like to start pulling 20' logs out so that I can pick and choose in the summer season what I want to cut.  If I need 12's it will work out having 8's left over.  10' + 10' etc.  It could be a real challenge with the ATV in summer but I would like to give it an honest effort but would need a winch like this.  The brush and terrain is relatively flat but there is always going to be stumps and brush to contend with.   
Here is a picture of my UHMW plastic sled that I log with in the winter.  This is a load of firewood but the same principal applies to milling logs.  Anything longer than 12' can become a pain especially if there are many hills on the trail. 



I just finished this log arch and it works well.  I have skis for it so maybe I should just be patient and wait for winter to try it out with the snow, it will probably be the best time.  Another plus is no mosquitos and better working temps... like -10   I would prefer anywhere from 10+ to -10 for hauling logs in the snow.   

 

I have also considered cutting trail this late summer/fall and then using the portable winch to stack and gather logs at key points on the trail and then pull them out in the winter, but if we get too much snow that could be a problem.   

Time will tell.....

[Quebecnewf]

As I said I do all my logging in winter. I have homebuilt sleds that go behind the skidoo. I cut a main trail into the woods and then use the winch to gather logs into that trail. I haul a distance of approx 15 kl from the woods to the mill. Have of this distance is over frozen sea ice the other half over the land.
We need cold weather to have good logging. If we have a mild winter we have problems. Slob on top of the ice and poor hauling conditions.

Starting to saw my logs now. Just part time and sort of a hobby or a passion according to my wife

Quebecnewf
 

[jpgreen]

Have any of you guys heard tell of, or used, a "Yankie Yarder"?  It is a portable cable winch system that is powered with a five HP stationary engine. They are easily built and cheap to operate. They work best with a skid cone and snatch block.

You may be reffering to what we used to call a "Mighty Might" winch that we used to use to move bolders whilst dredging for placer gold.

Keene Engineering used to sell them.  One powerfull winch for sure.. 

[jpgreen]

Ha! found it.

Can't believe they're still making them.. 

-Here-

[treetech]

It's not quite the same but close. I think the mighty mite is geared down a lot more than the yankee yarder but are the very same idea. I found a guy handy home that has one and I am still trying to get a picture.

[Dan_Shade]

Look what I found in the FF gallery:

[jpgreen]

I want one.. 

[treetech]

Hi All
I have put some pics of a yankee yarder in my gallery. I tried to post them but ran out of time. This yarder is not quite the same as the plans I have sent out but it is very close. These are great little winches and are easy to build. The modification I did was my engine didn't have reduction gear installed on it so I put in an extra shaft to slow the cable speed when winching in. This caused a lot more friction when pulling the cable out so I had to come up with a way to freewheel the cable. You can see this in the last two pictures.
Treetech

[Blue Sky]

I have got a Finnish Winch, the radio TIR.  Pulls 16'-24" diameter logs any way you want them.  It is a 13 hp, gear reduction of 13 to 1,  two 5 wind drums that multiply pulling power.  Check out my posting.   Enchanted Forester

[maple flats]

As far as cutting ahead and staging logs to pull in winter I have found it harder to pull them after they have set and frozen down even if only on cribbing and gotten snow piled on and around them. I like pulling in winter, fresh cut logs on a good snow base. I pull most of my heavier ones with a 25HP 4x4 tractor with FEL and 3PH log arch on back. If logs are heavier I load the bucket to hold the front down. I have chains front and rear, roll bar too, and I drive rather slow with one hand on the 3PH control and one foot resting on the tranny just over the clutch. Pulling with such a small tractor requires extreme caution because the front can jump up suddenly and you MUST be ready to react properly and not panic. On my arch I run 2 chains, one to lift and one from the log to the drawbar which helps prevent walking the tractor out from under the load (flipping)

[Firebass]

Not exactly what you had in mind but I had to post anyway.

http://www.ssindustrial.net/donkey.jpg

Steve

[jpgreen]

That's a cool winch.  A guy at a logging show had one running.  Pure cord wood and steam.. 

I bought one heck of a winch from a friend of mine last week.  It's a 12k with 3/8" cable that came off of a roll deck tow truck.  Beefy starter motor powered angle gear drive.. .