Adding a small Winch!

16647 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by rockshaft, Apr 4, 2013

Jrs1959

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2011

Thought I'd pass this on to all in case anyone else was anticipating the addition of a winch to the tractor. After being back in the woods and getting moderately "stuck"....using a hand winch to recover, I figured having a small 3000 lb ATV winch on-board and available all the time may be useful. It needed to be able to exist either on the front or back and have quick connects for power in both locations which was accommodated with a harness permanently run fore and aft. It also needed to be clear of the FEL in front and the draft links and PTO drive-lines on the rear. The hand controller can be used while off the tractor or from the seat. I've attached a couple photos to show what I worked out and maybe can be a starting point for others. Effectively a 2" hitch receiver and pin allows for on/off in a few seconds and slide into other location.

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Sawdust

· #2 · Dec 12, 2011

great looking work. :thumbup1gif:

dieselshadow

· #3 · Dec 12, 2011

Looks real professional :thumbup1gif:

dellwas

· #4 · Dec 12, 2011

Looking good. I've got a 3500 pull on the back of my F-350, not for pulling out the truck, but for pulling smaller logs after I cut them. Mine was setup for quick attach much like yours. Truck is toast, at least till spring, so may hook it up to the tractor...

Dave T

· #5 · Dec 12, 2011

Nice job! A winch is a handy tool for sure. I have a Warn XT 3000 on my ATV and have used it a lot.

8086Bruce

· #6 · Dec 12, 2011

sweet set up!!!!!:thumbup1gif:

RandyM

· #7 · Dec 13, 2011

Great post, Bob!

Thank you for sharing your project. You have to be very proud at how well it turned out. Nice job. :good2:

jfrady

· #8 · Dec 13, 2011

Very nice! I see a wench, er I mean winch in my future!

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dmay

· #9 · Dec 14, 2011

Great job!

How did you mount the rear receiver? Is it simply welded onto the JD draw bar?

Jrs1959

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 15, 2011

dmay said:
Great job!

How did you mount the rear receiver? Is it simply welded onto the JD draw bar?

I made the rear receiver long enough to grab both 3/4" hitch holes in the very center running front to rear, drilled the tube to be aligned, dropped a couple bolts down thru from center of tube and then welded bolt heads in situ from inside. Having the head secured from the inside allows just a socket from below to install or remove.

I've also just re-done the wire harness to accommodate having the control panel to wrap and neatly store behind the seat on the cross bar with enough cable to go anywhere around the tractor. Some 4 pin trailer connectors front and rear complete the install including weather proof spring covers. This provided the ability to just have the winch and the short connector plug to move.

The winch mounting plate did require off-setting from center of the receiver hitch especially for the rear position so it centers between the draft arms.

Appreciate all the positive comments!!

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Jrs1959

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 28, 2011

Finally finished electrical and connections, storage box, etc and figured I'd update post in case anyone else contemplating similar project and in search of idea's........

Happy New Year to All!

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dellwas

· #12 · Dec 28, 2011

Looking real good, like a factory accessory! :thumbup1gif:

rockshaft

· #13 · Apr 2, 2013 (Edited)

Jrs1959 said:
Finally finished electrical and connections, storage box, etc and figured I'd update post in case anyone else contemplating similar project and in search of idea's........

Happy New Year to All!

I've been waiting until spring to finish my winch setup. Like you, i have the frt/rear receivers. Where is your solenoid/contactor mounted? In the remote? Where'd ya get that?

robpm

· #14 · Apr 2, 2013

I have one question too. How many amps do these winches pull when you have them engaged and pulling a 2000 lb item?

rockshaft

· #15 · Apr 2, 2013

My 4500lb winch pulls ~175amps at full load

robpm

· #16 · Apr 3, 2013

This is where I will show my ignorance. If the alternator is only 40 amps how does it work with the winch pulling 175 amps? Does it not bother the alternator or voltage regulator etc. I am sure that it is just fine but I am trying to get a handle on what is happening electrically. I would love to put a winch on as well but at present my alternator on the 990 is only 20 amps.

Thanks

Rob

rockshaft

· #17 · Apr 3, 2013

Well, i'm no expert. (hold my beer and watch this)
The alternator can only provide so much current as you noted. But the battery has some level of reserve available to a point. For heavy winch service, upgrading to larger alt/charger and battery is definitely warranted. But for light duty it should suffice. Also note this same winch pulls less than 100amps under 2500lb load.

56FordGuy

· #18 · Apr 4, 2013

Are you running the power cables to the winch through the trailer plug as a quick connect?

You might consider using Anderson SB connectors. They're incredibly tough, and available in several sizes. I use an SB 350 on the front of my truck for a 12,000 lb winch. You can order them online, or buy them at any local forklift dealership. I'm not sure how much current those trailer plugs are designed to handle, but I know it's far less than a typical winch will draw. I worked on a trailer once where the owner had melted the electrical plug running a winch trough it.

rockshaft

· #19 · Apr 4, 2013

56FordGuy said:
Are you running the power cables to the winch through the trailer plug as a quick connect?

You might consider using Anderson SB connectors. They're incredibly tough, and available in several sizes. I use an SB 350 on the front of my truck for a 12,000 lb winch. You can order them online, or buy them at any local forklift dealership. I'm not sure how much current those trailer plugs are designed to handle, but I know it's far less than a typical winch will draw. I worked on a trailer once where the owner had melted the electrical plug running a winch trough it.

Yep, that's what i'm using (same product but labeled superwinch)
I'm going to try saving a little money by using some cheap booster cable i picked up at home depot at x-mas time

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