Alpine tractor - which make ?

[Brushcutter]

On 13/06/2023 at 08:13, IronMike said:

 

I've had the tractor with winch on and Logbullet combo out lately on some steeper terrain. As usual, the photos and video dont do it justice, it's was damn near 1:1 in places! Hard work when felling, but super satisfying to send trees down the hill side. 

 

Only downside was having a 50m cable on the winch, as we regularly ran out of reach. Checked with Jas P Wilson's and the Igland will take upto to 77m at 10mm, but I'm guessi g the play off is reduced overall pulling power plus hauling that off the drum and up hill would be a hell of a slog. Spoke to a few folks who suggested getting an extension for these more awkward jobs, either cable or some dyneema perhaps?

More cable on the drum gives longer reach but as you say the pulling power on full drum is reduced. The cable on the drum acts as a gear. 

 

I use a an extension cable with some chokers on it. Which the 25m extension in and then swap everything to the main cable.

 

I must admit despite being tempted by a textile cable I've never made the switch from steel. I tried steel with a nylon core but hated it.

[slack ma girdle]

On 13/06/2023 at 08:13, IronMike said:

 

I've had the tractor with winch on and Logbullet combo out lately on some steeper terrain. As usual, the photos and video dont do it justice, it's was damn near 1:1 in places! Hard work when felling, but super satisfying to send trees down the hill side. 

 

Only downside was having a 50m cable on the winch, as we regularly ran out of reach. Checked with Jas P Wilson's and the Igland will take upto to 77m at 10mm, but I'm guessi g the play off is reduced overall pulling power plus hauling that off the drum and up hill would be a hell of a slog. Spoke to a few folks who suggested getting an extension for these more awkward jobs, either cable or some dyneema perhaps?

Would it not be quicker just to drive the Log bullet up and collect the timber?

I hate winching

[skc101fc]

I've never seen much benefit in winching downhill, especially if you can reverse up it and either push with blade or as said here use the logbullet. At some point gravity will always take over and make a kinked rat's nest on the drum, making a real ballache to hand haul on the next run

[IronMike]

10 hours ago, slack ma girdle said:

Would it not be quicker just to drive the Log bullet up and collect the timber?

I hate winching

Logbullet is poorly mate, suspected drive motor issue. It can not go up many hills currently! Booked in for repair and other remedial work in a few weeks, so nursing it along at the moment.

[IronMike]

8 hours ago, skc101fc said:

I've never seen much benefit in winching downhill, especially if you can reverse up it and either push with blade or as said here use the logbullet. At some point gravity will always take over and make a kinked rat's nest on the drum, making a real ballache to hand haul on the next run

No way to get close to a lot of it other than winch. As mentioned this was a very steep site with winching the only option. Thankfully when one did gather some momentum and barrel a bit, we avoided any problems.

[slack ma girdle]

12 hours ago, IronMike said:

Logbullet is poorly mate, suspected drive motor issue. It can not go up many hills currently! Booked in for repair and other remedial work in a few weeks, so nursing it along at the moment.

At least you have a plan B.