Chainsaw Powered Log Winch? Anyone Build Their Own?

[AlfA01]

What's up dudes? Haven't been on in a while. I was battling some health issues, but I'm getting back to normal now.

I came across a blown up winch for a 4x4 and started doing some searches on powering it with a chainsaw.

A lot of my firewood harvesting is deadfall or dead standing trees on mountain slopes. Some prime firewood around, but a little far off the road to harvest efficiently. I was thinking a portable winch could greatly improve my efficiency and save my back also.

I'm still in the idea phase, so any and all input is welcome. Pics of builds would be helpful.

I'll for sure be running dyneema rope instead of cable for strength. That should improve the portability of the winch greatly as well by reducing weight.

Something like this, but not a capstan.

 

[Wilhelm]

Sorry to hear about Your health issues Dan.
All the best get well wishes to You!

I can't help regarding building a chainsaw winch, someone else will have to chime in on that topic.

Cheers

 

[Lightning Performance]

Amsteel or equivalent wire rope is just double braid synthetic fibers. Good stuff and much safer to use.

Capstan carries no rope so the winch is lighter and will pull as long of a rope as you have.

Newer demo saws have a flat belt to eat up less power vs V belts. Something to think about besides direct gear drives or chain drive sprockets.

 

[timg]

What about the little green tractor you were eyeing up about a year ago Dan. 3point winch//small skidder hitch. All electric and save the saws for cutting. Overall cost may be cheaper. At least here in the states. We can always send ya something if you find it kind sir!!

 

[davidwyby]

Madsens sells some

I’ve been thinking saw powered hydraulic pump, run all kinds of things...but maybe need more tq?

 

[Funky sawman]

A saw with a 3 to 1 gearbox would be great for a normal gear pump. Then install quick connect fittings and power up all kinds of cool stuff

 

[Yukon Stihl]

There is a guy on Kijiji in Ontario that builds and sells winches out of dead electric winches,which he uses a chainsaw to power.

 

[davidwyby]

I want something like this for directing tree and limb fall.

@Lightning Performance

 

[AlfA01]

What about the little green tractor you were eyeing up about a year ago Dan. 3point winch//small skidder hitch. All electric and save the saws for cutting. Overall cost may be cheaper. At least here in the states. We can always send ya something if you find it kind sir!!

The little green tractor is a great option on more level areas. I’m trying to get out to the areas where the competition can’t go. Pretty far from the road.

For firewood I’m cutting on public lands high in the mountains and thickly forested. All the close stuff gets nabbed pretty quick.

We have a lot of fir trees that have died from bark beetles. I’ve found that if I get to the tree as soon as it dies, the wood quality is still decent for my wood stove.

 

[AlfA01]

There is a guy on Kijiji in Ontario that builds and sells winches out of dead electric winches,which he uses a chainsaw to power.

Several guys I see on the web fix them, but price and shipping are the reason I want to take on the project myself. I’ve got a handful of old power saws that would be ideal for this kind of project.

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

Too far, too heavy, too expensive to ship to you Dan but this the sort of thing you are thinking of? With a decent powerhead of course...
https://www.trademe.co.nz/3078011047

 

[SpaceBus]

The little green tractor is a great option on more level areas. I’m trying to get out to the areas where the competition can’t go. Pretty far from the road.

For firewood I’m cutting on public lands high in the mountains and thickly forested. All the close stuff gets nabbed pretty quick.

We have a lot of fir trees that have died from bark beetles. I’ve found that if I get to the tree as soon as it dies, the wood quality is still decent for my wood stove.

Fir is prime firewood? I burn mostly fir and spruce, but I wouldn't call them prime.

Look into portable capstan winches. Probably more than you wanted to spend, I know, but you could probably get some ideas.

 

[AlfA01]

Sorry to hear about Your health issues Dan.
All the best get well wishes to You!

I can't help regarding building a chainsaw winch, someone else will have to chime in on that topic.

Cheers

Thanks Wilhelm.

 

[AlfA01]

Amsteel or equivalent wire rope is just double braid synthetic fibers. Good stuff and much safer to use.

Capstan carries no rope so the winch is lighter and will pull as long of a rope as you have.

Newer demo saws have a flat belt to eat up less power vs V belts. Something to think about besides direct gear drives or chain drive sprockets.

Thanks Kenny! I was planning on the dyneema as it's a winch rated rope and it's readily available at a decent price.

The demo saws look likely best option, but I'm wanting to be a cheap bastage and use what I already gots. I'm thinking a 123 Dolly or Pro Mac 700 attached to it would be sufficient.

 

[AlfA01]

Fir is prime firewood? I burn mostly fir and spruce, but I wouldn't call them prime.

Look into portable capstan winches. Probably more than you wanted to spend, I know, but you could probably get some ideas.

I was more referring to the condition of the wood versus a comparison of wood types. The Greek fir tree is a different animal than what you are probably used to.

These trees grow short and stout. Very difficult to split when fresh. The wood burns nicely in my stove, so I burns it.

Hardwoods are limited and pine is out of the question. My first choice is olive wood, but I usually sell most of what I harvest. The rest I burn but it's rarely enough to finish the winter.

 

[SpaceBus]

I was more referring to the condition of the wood versus a comparison of wood types. The Greek fir tree is a different animal than what you are probably used to.

These trees grow short and stout. Very difficult to split when fresh. The wood burns nicely in my stove, so I burns it.

Hardwoods are limited and pine is out of the question. My first choice is olive wood, but I usually sell most of what I harvest. The rest I burn but it's rarely enough to finish the winter.

I totally missed that you are in Greece, so I agree, definitely not the same fir! Ours are balsam fir, which grow pretty tall and fairly large around, we have one near the house that is 20"+ and no more than 70 years old, but it gets full sun. When we first moved here I tried to split the balsam fir and red/black spruce by hand, I can't do it. I'm not one to give up easily, but every single round over 4" diameter had to be split with a sledge hammer and steel wedges. My 8 lb maul just bounced off while the round laughed at me. Actual long leaf pine species would be much easier to split compared to spruce and fir.

I've heard olive is one of the most dense woods period. The only kind of olive trees we can grow here are Russian Olive, which isn't really the same thing.

 

[AlfA01]

I totally missed that you are in Greece, so I agree, definitely not the same fir! Ours are balsam fir, which grow pretty tall and fairly large around, we have one near the house that is 20"+ and no more than 70 years old, but it gets full sun. When we first moved here I tried to split the balsam fir and red/black spruce by hand, I can't do it. I'm not one to give up easily, but every single round over 4" diameter had to be split with a sledge hammer and steel wedges. My 8 lb maul just bounced off while the round laughed at me. Actual long leaf pine species would be much easier to split compared to spruce and fir.

I've heard olive is one of the most dense woods period. The only kind of olive trees we can grow here are Russian Olive, which isn't really the same thing.

Olive wood is super nice burning. It gives a ton of btus and doesn’t render into ash easily. The coals from olive will stay alive in the stove for a long time. I’m not in the habit of cutting down olive trees, so most of the wood we gather from olive is from pruning.

 

[qurotro]

Just an idea..

 

[Lightning Performance]

Just an idea..
View attachment 293480 View attachment 293481

Just not that one. Looks to have a crack in the spline drive.

 

[motoOzarks]

Custom built poulan 306a with a winch
$200
Listed 21 weeks ago in Harrison, AR
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