Installing a Winch

[fishfactor]

I have a Bobcat T320 that we use primarily with a forestry cutter. During a recent job that crossed over some wetlands 3 miles off the road, we realized that a winch may be a wise investment. I never got stuck, but I pinched the seat for several hours at a time. Skidder ruts, mud, and stump holes are not my friends. I've been searching and it seems the warn hydraulic may be the way to go. Planning on building a swing away rear bumper to mount it on, but it will need to be a beast to handle a pull. Looking for some input and hope someone here has done the same to share their methods.

 

[Tazza]

Why not keep it electric? They are cheap as, and you have access to power, your battery!
This way you can hook it on when required, and un-hook it when not.
Its a possibility?

 

[fishfactor]

Why not keep it electric? They are cheap as, and you have access to power, your battery!
This way you can hook it on when required, and un-hook it when not.
Its a possibility?

I've read bad things about electric winches, but I have never owned either. The electic route would be fine with me if it would hold up to the conditions and be able to pull the machine out. A 13k lb loader stuck in the mud would need a strong winch. I could add a second battery in the bumper if that would help. You are right about the price. I can find a 15K lb electric for about $600 where a hydraulic runs close to $2,000.

 

[bobcat_ron]

I've read bad things about electric winches, but I have never owned either. The electic route would be fine with me if it would hold up to the conditions and be able to pull the machine out. A 13k lb loader stuck in the mud would need a strong winch. I could add a second battery in the bumper if that would help. You are right about the price. I can find a 15K lb electric for about $600 where a hydraulic runs close to $2,000.

Hydraulic is the way to go, you can hook the lines to the aux. lines on the loader and use the proportional system to feather it while you back out. My Cat dealer did a set up on the rear of a skid steer with the winch lines attached to the loader arms, and 12" flexi-lines with couplers on the ends that could be stowed away when not in use.
A better set up would be a winch that could be chained to either end of the machine, just in case you get stuck going backwards and forward is the only way out.

 

[fishfactor]

Hydraulic is the way to go, you can hook the lines to the aux. lines on the loader and use the proportional system to feather it while you back out. My Cat dealer did a set up on the rear of a skid steer with the winch lines attached to the loader arms, and 12" flexi-lines with couplers on the ends that could be stowed away when not in use.
A better set up would be a winch that could be chained to either end of the machine, just in case you get stuck going backwards and forward is the only way out.

I agree that a winch that could be put on the front or rear would be ideal... but the warn hydraulic winches I have been looking at are around 350 lbs. You said the cat dealer mounted one on the rear, attached to the lift arms? Do you have pics? Seems like a winch mounted that high would pull down on the machine when you are trying to get out. I would want it as low as possible without putting it so low that it gets in the mud.

 

[fishfactor]

I agree that a winch that could be put on the front or rear would be ideal... but the warn hydraulic winches I have been looking at are around 350 lbs. You said the cat dealer mounted one on the rear, attached to the lift arms? Do you have pics? Seems like a winch mounted that high would pull down on the machine when you are trying to get out. I would want it as low as possible without putting it so low that it gets in the mud.

Cancel the weight isue... they are around 100 lbs. I don't know where I saw 350lbs. Maybe it was one that mounts to the front of the machine like a attachment.