Portable Winch Trial and Black Cherry Burl Harvest -E113

[@rolfnilsen6385]

Friend got one of those in a smaller size. He don't have a tractor so use this one for all winching. Little thing with a 4:1 cascade pulley really can move some big timber. But it also takes a while compared to a tractor winch or even the small ATV timber trailer I run. Take care with the angle of the rope as it enters onto the drum of the winch. It can catch, lock on and follow the drum around. That is really a hard knot to unravel 🙂 For getting small equipment unstuck it is really good as it is very portable. Same for hauling boats up for the winter. Whenever there is something that is awkward to reach with the tractor this winch tends to be preferred.

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Hi Rolf, I agree that these are handy little units. They do take more time and I think the skidding cone would make the wood come out easier again but more to setup and carry around in the woods. Like you say, the timber trailer winch is better and I prefer a bigger farm winch on a 40 HP tractor overall since they are fast and can handle any size tree. The portable winches are just another nice tool to add to the roster to be ready for any condition/situation to stay productive! Take care, Jason.

[@thelogfather5002]

I’ve been looking at one of those for a few years. I have a capstan winch on the back of my tractor, it’s very handy. Thanks for sharing! Good luck selling the burls!

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Thanks Jeff! I actually started looking into these when I saw your winch on a video. I didn’t know how it worked at the time but after I researched I found this is an age old technology!

[@philu782]

I bought one this winter. I got the PWC-3000. I used it to pull 30" diameter beech logs down the mountain where I live. The yellow cone is a must otherwise you keep on being stuck. Pulleys are great to multiply the power and to redirect the logs as you pull in and through the forest. Overall a great machine but I experienced one negative point ....the Honda engine doesn't like the -25, -30 degrees we had in january... So not in impressed with the engine in extreme cold weather. I also had an issue with the rope. I called Portable Winch and they offered great service. Important to know that service still means something :-) cheers_Phil

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Great feedback Phil! I purchased the nose cone but haven't tried it yet. I bet it makes all of the difference but a bit of a frig to hook it up each time and haul it back into the woods for each tree! I'm going to try it out soon... What was the rope issue that you had? Thanks for sharing, Jason.

[@philu782]

@@OakMountainAcotts I have a 50m rope and after a couple of usages it was frayed over about 1.5 foot at approximately 15m. As it was not due to friction over something I took pictures and sent them to Portable Winch. They immediately acknowledged and granted me a brand new rope under warranty. One thing they told me and that you cannot find on KZbin is that you have to train your rope.... not immediately pulling at maximum strength but "easing" in to it..... Phil

[@OakMountainAcotts]

@@philu782 interesting information. Thanks for sharing!

[@denisberube1756]

I have been using the PWC-3000 for 5-6 years now and I agree, the skidding cone is a must in order the avoid the log digging into the ground. Great little winch and they have excellent customer service.

[@OakMountainAcotts]

@@denisberube1756 thanks for this information. I have the cone but haven’t had a chance to try it yet!

[@UpNorthNybergs]

Thanks for the video Jason! I do not have one of these, but I can see where it can be a real help in the woods!! I put it on my future "nice to have list"...Stay safe, Ed

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Thanks Ed. One of those tools you wont use a lot but will be a lifesaver when you need it!

[@troycoates5822]

Enjoyed this video Jason, I picked up the same model winch this Spring and it's been a great asset in my woodlot as I have some steep hills which can make access difficult, works great to assist with directional felling and pulling firewood up the steep banks to a landing. Very happy with it so far! Expensive but well made and I appreciate the speed after messing about with electric winches on the ATV, it's a pretty handy tool for the woodlot. I found your channel when researching the Kranman trailers and subscribed right away, great content and nice to see a fellow New Brunswicker working their woodlot, really enjoy your videos!

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Hi Troy, this is great feedback. I’m not sure how many private Woodlot owners are actively managing but it feels like we are a dying breed! No better way to pass the time as far as I’m concerned! Take care, Jason

[@marksparkplug7758]

Looks like a great addition to forest management Jason. Take care.

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Thanks for the feedback Mark. I'm interested to try it out in a hardwood stand to see how big of a tree it will actually handle. That one was caught up in the softwood and pulled out hard! Thanks for watching, Jason.

[@bobfitch607]

Jason having harvested many cherry burls on my land here in the adk. I would recommend treating the end grain on the burls with anchor seal or something similar. They Crack easily when they dry. Little winch looks pretty handy

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Hi Bob, great tip! What is a burl going for in your area?

[@bobfitch607]

@@OakMountainAcotts not sure jason I use them myself. I make some bowls and cut cookies and do wood burning type art and poly finish. For family and friends. Never sold them. Sorry

[@bobfitch607]

Have made clocks too

[@OakMountainAcotts]

@@bobfitch607 no worries, just curious! I always wanted to get into woodworking but there are only so many hours in the day!

[@tommyrichmond1293]

It’s a good spare to have. Will get you out of a bind

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Already has Tommy! Nice little rig!

[@charlesacott1452]

Hi Jason, The winch looks like a great addition to your tool box. I can think of some good uses for it and look forward to borrowing it, ha!!

[@OakMountainAcotts]

You could have had a chance to try it out! Just need to snowmobile over!!!

[@charlesacott1452]

@@OakMountainAcotts I had it going today but it didn't last. More maintenance.........

[@FromSteelToWood]

Jason, the reason you don't want to make a full wrap around the tree with the strap is to avoid debarking the tree... ask me how I know that! If Karen needs small pieces of black cherry to make you a nice smoked flavored meal, that's a good deal!!! I've been looking for a capstan winch and could not yet decide if that was going to meet my expectations... I am yet hesitating| Thanks!

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Thanks Joe! I’m going to build an A frame log hauler for the RTV and use this winch to pull logs into it. I figure with tracks on the RTV, this can be my winter tractor… It is much faster than the 12 volt warn winches!

[@aldredske6197]

Hi Jason!!😀😀 Those are some really nice burls. Hopefully you will get your asking price for them. Keep us informed if get the price. The winch is going to be handy for lots of different jobs around the mountain. Take care my friend!!😀😀 Logger Al

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Hi Al, I figure I can always reduce my price a little but it is pretty hard to raise it! I've had pretty good luck over the years selling burls like this. Usually somewhere between $25 and $50 each so I'm sure they will go. I think the winch will come in handy. At least when conditions are like this and the tractor can't get through the snow, I can still head out and cut a little wood! Thanks for watching, Jason.

[@robs8882]

@@OakMountainAcotts my wife is a turner, she thinks the big one would go for $600.

[@OakMountainAcotts]

@@robs8882 Wow! Tell her I will give her a good deal :)

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? The new portable winch looks pretty decent, but it seems like a lot of work to be using this on a regular basis. Maybe just have it on the Side By Side for the times it's really needed. The burls will be very popular I bet!!! Nice work Karen on the camera BTW!!! Take care and thanks for posting.

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Hi Mike, I have a plan for the winch! When I get tracks on the SxS, I’m going to build a winch hitch to collect blowdowns, etc in places the tractor can’t access in the Winter. I think it will be a little honey! Take care, Jason.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@OakMountainAcotts Sounds like a plan!!!

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Jason, nice winch, but our Norwood model on the tractor is more fun😂 just kidding Take care 👍🏼🚜🪵🇺🇸

[@OakMountainAcotts]

The capstan winches are pretty neat! I had never been around one before!

[@kevinwarawa6073]

Hello Jason I am actually looking at buying one of the portable winches myself. I would use it when cutting wood and take it hunting with me as well. Now that I’ve seen your video I think my mind is made up

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Hi Kevin, if you want to see anything in particular before you take the plunge, let me know: i could work it into a video.

[@kevinwarawa6073]

I will forsure Jason. Thanks

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Thanks for watching our videos!

[@richardbrowne1679]

I have a PCA5000 portable winch. I bought and haven’t used it much. I have found extending the cable on the forestry winch is much easier. I also use the Lewis Chainsaw winch much more often as it’s much easier to lug around. I found the PCA winches too cumbersome, but in your case it looks like you don’t have to carry it very far from the machines. So that’s a real benefit.

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Hi Richard, my plan is to use this portable winch with the RTV. I'm going to make an A-frame log hitch that attaches to the trailer receiver that will accommodate the winch on top. With tracks on the RTV, I hope to use it like a little tractor in the Winter on some of the spur roads to collect blow downs, etc. We will see how it works!

[@larasea741]

Nice video. Looking to purchase a winch. How did you decide on the PCW 4000 compared to the PCW 5000? Thanks

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Hi Tom, I think at the time the PCW 5000 design had to sit flat, i.e. the engine paired with it could not tip more than 30 degrees or something like that or the oil safety feature would shut it down. The PCW 4000 had an engine that could basically operate upside down if needed and I think it had the same pull capacity so that is why I selected it... I may be off a bit on the logic as this was over a year ago now. The PCW staff are great to deal with, I would recommend e-mailing or calling them with questions before purchasing. Hope this helps, Jason.

[@larasea741]

@@OakMountainAcotts Jason, thanks for the reply. That has been my thought also on the engines. I just don't know how hard it is to operate the 5000 with the flat issue. I'm just not sure on the 4000 setup with the clutch assembly. Tuff decision for me.

[@quilrock]

Do you ever have trouble with the rope getting tangled or knotted up in the bag ?

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Actually no! The instructions advise to "push" the rope into the bag as if you were pushing a snake head first into it. When the rope goes in like this, it comes out tangle free. I haven't had any issues yet! Thanks for watching, Jason.

[@fredsousa4020]

SO 20 K FOR KUBOTA, 10 FOR SLED AND EQUIPMENT WHAT DID YOU GET FOR THE BURLS TO MAKE ANY OF THIS MAKE SENCE?

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Best hobby I have ever had!

[@tommyrichmond1293]

Do we have a price for this unit

[@OakMountainAcotts]

With all of the accessories that I purchased, it was about $2k. Expensive enough but much faster than the 12 v winches I looked at…

[@solastobann]

I paid around $1500 a year or so ago, in the USA. Worth it. Quality machine.

[@robs8882]

that is expensive!

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Hi Rob, it is pricey for sure. I was looking for something that I can use with my RTV. All of the electric winches are very slow compared to this unit. This one runs about 40 feet per minute and the 12 volt units are around 5 feet per minute.

[@robs8882]

@@OakMountainAcotts I was just surprised, about the price. I'm looking at getting the Norwood 3 point capstan winch.

[@OakMountainAcotts]

Check out a channel called the "logfather". Jeff Hogue is in Nova Scotia and he has a 3 point capstan that he uses. Great guy to talk to about them...