How does a forestry winch work?
Pfanzelt forestry winches are designed as geared cable winches. There are basically two types of forestry winch. Cable winches that are driven by a chain and cable winches that are driven by a worm gear. Chain winches are driven purely mechanically. Pfanzelt geared cable winches are also mechanically driven, but are electrohydraulically controlled. Until a few years ago, geared cable winches were only available to forestry professionals due to the more expensive technology. Since the launch of Pfanzelt’s S-line cable winch series, geared cable winches for semi-professionals and forest farmers have become available to the market at an attractive price-performance ratio.
How much tractive force do I need?
The tractive force required for a forestry winch depends on the wood to be cabled and forwarded and the terrain. However, it is important to distinguish between the tractive forces on the upper and lower cable layer on the drum. According to the currently valid regulations, a winch may also be referred to as an 8 t winch if at some point, it can provide a tractive force of 8 t (e.g. only in the first cable layer on the drum). Some manufacturers do not mention that the operating tractive force is often only half of the nominal. The nominal tractive force therefore does not say much about the actual tractive force in forestry. This may be legal, but is nevertheless dubious. Pfanzelt specifies the operating tractive force that is always available. Because out in the forest, of course, only this tractive force matters. Otherwise, the situation may arise whereby a trunk can only be pulled halfway along the route, because then the tractive force is insufficient. The operating tractive force is always available, even when the drum is full. The nominal tractive force is only available in the first cable layer, i.e. only when the drum is almost empty.
What size forestry winch will fit my tractor?
The following calculation can be used as a rule of thumb for three-point cable winches for forestry: 1 t of tractive force can be calculated for the cable winch for each 10 kW of tractor power. However, the weight of the tractor also plays a decisive role in the use of the cable winch. This must also be adapted to the weight of the cable winch. The following statement can be used as a guide here: The winch tractive force should not be more than twice the deadweight of the tractor. However, the closer the 3-point cable winch is to the tractor, the more favourable the centre of gravity of the machine combination becomes.
Recommended tractor performance for Pfanzelt forestry winch types
Winch type | Tractive force | Recommended tractor performance |
| S150 | 50 kN | max. 40 KW |
| S160 | 60 kN | ca. 30 - 60 KW |
| S172 | 72 kN | ca. 40 - 90 KW |
| P163K | 61 kN | ca. 40 - 90 KW |
| P172 AKTION | 72 kN | ca. 40 - 90 KW |
| P173K | 72 kN | ca. 70 - 120 KW |
| P186 AKTION | 86 kN | ca. 55 - 100 KW |
| P1102 | 102 kN | ca. 70 - 120 KW |
| P260 | 2 x 60 kN | ca. 55 - 100 KW |
| P272 | 2 x 72 kN | ca. 70 - 120 KW |
| P273K | 2 x 72 kN | ca. 100 - 150 kW |
| P285 | 2 x85 kN | ca. 100 - 150 kW |
| P2102 | 2 x 102 kN | ca. 100 - 150 kW |
What kind of cable can be used on the forestry winch?
Cable winches for forestry can be equipped with a steel cable or a plastic cable. Their greatest advantage is their low weight: Plastic cables are up to 90% lighter than wire cables. Pfanzelt cable winches can be equipped with either a wire cable or a plastic cable. It can also be changed without any problems after delivery.
When changing from a steel cable to a plastic cable on a Pfanzelt cable winch, only the two cable infeed rollers need to be replaced. If the cable winch has a cable infeed brake, it must be deactivated.
Do Pfanzelt cable winches have remote control?
All Pfanzelt forestry winches are equipped with a professional forestry wireless remote control as standard. The wireless controls used already meet the new safety requirements of the standard for wireless remote controls for forestry machines EN 17067 (binding for all forestry cable winches from production year 2020).
Do I need a cable payout for my forestry winch?
Pfanzelt forestry winches are proven to have the lowest cable unwinding forces on the market. Since the cable winch unit is installed in the direction of travel, it is possible to unwind the cable directly in the pulling direction. Unlike chain winches, where the drum is installed transverse to the direction of travel and the cable payout therefore requires more force. According to the KWF test report, the cable payout force for Pfanzelt Profi geared cable winches, which must be applied, is only 30 N when pulling out the cable.
Cable payout naturally simplifies operation and enables a higher winding quality, as the drum overrun brake can be adjusted more directly
