Why I Bought a Forestry Grapple AND a Skidding Winch

I've never been someone to say you have enough tractor implements and today is no exception. I'm going to be talking about why I bought both a skidding winch and a forestry grapple for my tractor and what I like about both. If you're in the market for either of these pieces of equipment, today is the day to tune in to see what the pros and cons of each are. Glad you're all here to join me, here we go!

I purchased this forestry grapple from Woody Equipment out of Quebec, Canada

Skidding Winch shown in this video: Wallenstein FX85

@SebastienWoody @WallensteinEquipment #winch #tractorattachments #tractorimplements #grapple #skidding #tractorvideos #forestryequipment #logging #loggingequipment #grappleskidder

[fricknjeep]

hi there good show well done, best to all john

[tomcogger]

I have a skidding winch (different brand). I noticed your steel cable has some coil to it. I occasionally hook the winch to a standing tree, pull out all the cable then engage the winch. I apply a good amount of tension on the cable briefly. Doing so pulls out any kinks and coils in the cable.

Also I color code my hydrailic hoses with colored zip ties, matching colors on the equipment to colors on the tractor remotes.

[deprived]

Pretty good explainer on your processes and alternatives. Glad I was here for it. Good vid. Thanks.

[timscartoys]

Your logic makes perfect sense!! The Grapple with the added winch would basically give you the best of both worlds!!

[lumberjill]

Both fine pieces of equipment but my dream is to have that logging winch. I've talked about it so much, my family is tired of hearing about it. We have a lot of mountain terrain and draws. Having a 150 foot reaching capability would be fantastic! Hiking hills with a chainsaw gets old really fast. I'm so happy your getting all these goodies! Have a great week Sandy! 👍👋

[jimmyreece]

What happened to the grappling trailer?

[alfredomarotta]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Love the little cabin, I remember when you builded it. Stay well be safe my friend.

[jimmerrithew]

Hi Sandy. Great explanation of your reasoning.

[deprived]

As you said, each has its place. I'm all for making things easier, so I don't see a problem either way. I'm happy for you to have options. Good vid. Thanks.

[quarlow]

That grapple hook to something like a 150 Versatile articulated tractor would be the ultimate set up for your situation. We had a 150 on the cattle ranch and for the amount of firewood we consumed between the 2 homesteads that grapple attachment is the cats ass.

[kenpool]

Great video, well thought out observations with both pros and cons

[johnaddis]

Hi Sandy, The Log Grapple is great, I believe it will be your go to attachment and in those tight places the winch will save the day
getting a good jag of logs up to a landing and then the Grapple can take back over. Either way you will have your forest thinning accomplished!
Have a good Sunday!

[morgansword]

I do so wish that I was younger and had my memory back as you are a talented young man and deserve a better explanation on the why do this or that. I truly did enjoy this video Sandy. A well presented argument as to their benefits of either machine/tool. I don't know if I can get in contact with the owner of Lumber Capital log yard. He also runs a logging operation that is a one man operation, has a excellent safety record and has ways of explaining why you do or don't do things. The timber is not the same but principles never change. Why guards on the grapple machine might be better explained by him. He is a quiet fellow and doesn't appear on many of their videos meaning I can't just send you to a specific video and get what I am trying to explain done well. Life is full of good intentions, I mean well but lack the ability to explain many things learned and some the hard way meaning I got hurt many times over the few years spent in the logging field. You are a low production where he has a high production operation. That is where the rules still apply tho. Safety is your highest factor in doing work for a short time and spending a lot of time in some hospital with a broken back or just being safe and spending time later in life with a family member. Altho my final injury was not in logging or even mechanics, just the same, a mistake cost me the rest of my enjoyable years. I reached out and caught a man falling from a ladder which broke my neck and back. Would I do it again is a fair question. It happens so fast and my first impulse is to save their life or at least keep them safer from a bad injury. I call it a involuntary reaction. All of my life, I have spent saving lives in many situations as a paramedic or fire fighter. I have had a full life of different choices of things I have done. Enough about a old man who makes very poor decisions. I only try to help you and some how feel like I have let you down when I can't explain it well.

[mr.lynnrosaasen]

I've learned to let my tools, machines do the hard work. I'll learn how to use them well!

[ScottFollansbee-bp]

Hi again, Sandy. Very well done video. You did a very good job of pointing out the pros and cons of each device so that someone like me has intel to make an informed buying choice. One question that does come to mind; Am I able pull multiple logs using the 360 rotating grapple or not? Pls clarify. Thx.

[buddyreed]

Hello Sandy. As I began watching this video with both machines side-by-side, I was envisioning both as one machine. Along comes the black screen message. If the manufacturers of these machines watch this video, one of these hybrids may show up in the showroom. Have good days!

[melissasmess]

I cut up the tree into firewood pieces and use my tractor loader bucket or truck to get it out of my forest. If I was running a mill I would want more but the more equipment I buy, the more expensive my firewood is. 😅
Thanks for sharing, great discussion.

[brianwestveer]

Both pc. Of equipment compliment each other, the grapple I really like for logging part of the operation. As we've talked before, you want more control on harvesting the logs for which ones to take. Now you'll have to get a second tractor, so you don't have to keep switching the equipment back a forth. Have a great weekend.

[TheBeardedCarpenter]

Howdy Sandy- if I was old enough to vote I’d vote for the grapple. Both would be really handy for our mountainous terrain. Hope all is well. God bless

[geneporter]

That's the best way to handle logs on a small farm but I have a winch and a grapple and I swamp log on my land by my self and I couldn't do it with out mine you are learning how to do it easier with your head and not your back Sandy😂 the people that whatch you tube from the city don't not have a clue on what you are doing they whatch one of them wood mizers sales men that are trying to do what you and me have been doing for a long time 😅😅😅😂 God Bless Y'all and have a great summer up there in the north i may come up there this year and go moose hunting with my friend in Quebec but if i do i want be there but a few days