We got around to finally testing the Farmi 351P logging winch Saturday. With autumn around the corner and the impending house clearing that we have planned this winter it was time to set it up, learn its operation and do a test. The first thing we had to do was read the manual! With the various forces involved with operating this sort of machinery there is really is no second chance for an operator that does not follow recommended procedures for its safe operations. In order to run on our Massey tractor we had to size the PTO shaft length to fit our tractor and this required some measurements and cutting of the shaft according to the manufacturer's instructions. It was a rather finicky task trying to connect the PTO onto the Farmi's splined shaft due to the lack of space around Farmi's PTO guard. However with a bit of patience, disassembly of the PTO guard (and then reassembly once installed!) we managed to get it done properly and working safely with all guards correctly in place.
With 34 acres of forest around us, a small scale logging winch/skidder seemed justified since our plan is to selectively harvest timber in the years to come for fuel wood to heat our home and perhaps to sell on spot basis if the economics are right. We had considered the Wallenstein model of winch but instead decided on the Farmi brand (Finnish company) due the ideal mix of performance (log pulling capacity =7,720 lbs), price, reliability and reputation. It is really a solidly built piece of equipment and I imagine that it will far outlast us!
We shall see! Scott bought a Ford Series 710, Model 19-205 Rear Adjustable Blade for mounting to the 3-point hitch of the tractor (which are universal systems). It would appear the implement was made circa 1960. It was very rusty but for the most part in good shape other than the fact the we cannot yet unfreeze (rusty?) the thing to adjust the blade angle from perpendicular to direction of tractor travel. We'll try using it to see if we can free it up. Scott wire brushed as much of the rust away as he could then primed and painted with "Ford Blue" color. It is a hefty piece of equipment and we figure the whole thing weighs about 350 pounds. The guy who sold it to us had to lift it into our little trailer with a crane attachment he had on his tractor. Scott had to remove the scraper blade then carefully ease it down and out of the trailer from the side.
Here is a before new paint:
After :
The moldboard (scraper blade) is also painted and ready to be re-attached to the frame assembly and then transported up to Pelham for hooking to the tractor for some road and ditch work. Here is pic of the original Ford tag with serial number.
