Winching vs Pulling Deadfall

[5GENIDN]

Charts and graphs would be awesome. And while I’ve seen failures going backwards, it’s one of those things where who’s to say that wouldn’t have happened going forwards too? Kinda the same scenario as stringing out the winch line and effectively using it as a strap. I’ve broken a winch doing that, but it might have broken during that pull anyway using the winch conventionally. And while it makes sense that the winch could be overloaded in that scenario, is that really what’s happening?

The back side of the ring and pinion is weaker and if you have lower gears it is even weaker.... This is where low gearing is actually a bad thing. Lower gearing (higher numerical value) requires a thinner tooth cut.

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[SierraBronco]

The back side of the ring and pinion is weaker and if you have lower gears it is even weaker.... This is where low gearing is actually a bad thing. Lower gearing (higher numerical value) requires a thinner tooth cut.

**portals have entered the chat**

 

[userdude]

**portals have entered the chat**

Speaking of portals...

I was watching a Matt's Off Road Recovery episode and apparently they put some good straight cut gears in the banana. They were loud! I guess that's really the first time I've heard them and knew it. Having seen that, now that all makes sense people thinking they'd be loud. But they're not. Especially in comparison.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

[5GENIDN]

**portals have entered the chat**

Yes... Hugh advantage to regearing outside of the differential is that the lower diff gearing (higher numerical) is weaker. a 5.13 is considerably weaker (thinner) tooth than say a 3.7.

 

[dgorsett]

I've been stopped twice this spring by dead fall. I carry a litt le bow saw but really didn't have it in me. Considering a battery chain saw.

Really most stuff you'll find across a road will be smaller diameter and easily moved once you cut out the the 8 feet you need.

 

[SierraBronco]

Speaking of portals...

I was watching a Matt's Off Road Recovery episode and apparently they put some good straight cut gears in the banana. They were loud! I guess that's really the first time I've heard them and knew it. Having seen that, now that all makes sense people thinking they'd be loud. But they're not. Especially in comparison.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Oh for sure they’re loud. At high R’sPM and in a transmission that’s sitting right next to the driver. Just like throwing a manual in reverse, you’ll definitely hear it.

 

[Brian_B]

The Bronco is also not designed to pull much of anything with a 3,500 lb tow limit if you are using the tow hitch as a pulling point.

Ok so …

You have all these recovery points that are designed for someone else to winch you out with (or use your own winch with a turnbuckle or something). If you could winch yourself out with the point, you could use it to pull someone else out with the same point. The winch is easier to control but the force applied is going to be the same with both — whatever it takes depending on how stuck whatever it is, is.

That’s totally different than towing with the hitch. The towing capacity has more to do with live loads being levered on the suspension than anything else. Even using the hitch as a recovery point - you aren’t running down at highway speed with a live load. It will be fine.

 

[Brian_B]

I do carry a small saw with me - mostly to delimb and make dragging easier. I also carry a 50’ log chain to help drag full trees or big stuff.

But occasionally we run across some really big stuff and I leave that for Forest Service or whomever maintains the trial to bring out the chain saws. If it’s already cut I don’t mind dragging it over to the side, just don’t want to haul my chain saws around, and Forest Service can get kind of touchy about that kind of thing around here sometimes.

If you don’t have to contend with the Law, then get a 20” Husky Rancher or something and throw it in the back - it’s big enough to make quick work of just about anything you will come across, and isn’t so big or unwieldy that you can’t use it to delimb or have issues carrying it around. A sharp chain means much more than a big engine on a chainsaw.

If I had a winch I absolutely would use it (and I do on my own property with my tractor, just don’t have one on the Bronco) - much easier than lugging out the chain. But either method works. Synth line (and cable too) will wear out, but not over the course of a single run.

I run into more deadfall than slick rock around where I live.

 

[SierraBronco]

Ok so …

You have all these recovery points that are designed for someone else to winch you out with (or use your own winch with a turnbuckle or something). If you could winch yourself out with the point, you could use it to pull someone else out with the same point. The winch is easier to control but the force applied is going to be the same with both — whatever it takes depending on how stuck whatever it is, is.

That’s totally different than towing with the hitch. The towing capacity has more to do with live loads being levered on the suspension than anything else. Even using the hitch as a recovery point - you aren’t running down at highway speed with a live load. It will be fine.

Having been inside the crossmember that the factory hitch is hooked up to, I’m not trusting the recovery tools installed into the receiver to do any tough pulls. That crossmember is pretty flimsy. Check out the attached picture-it couldn’t even handle the full torque on the bolts for the tire carrier without collapsing. Pulled the receiver entirely. (Which is funny as originally I wouldn’t budge when Ford was trying to entice me to remove it to get the Bronco sooner)

I’ll use a bridal attached to both frame mounted points for anything on the rear if not using the rear winch. (Rear winch is bolted up to the rear crossmember, both frame rails, and the next crossmember in line)

 

[Brian_B]

Having been inside the crossmember that the factory hitch is hooked up to, I’m not trusting the recovery tools installed into the receiver to do any tough pulls.

Hauling logs aren't generally too tough of a pull though. Just big and awkward.

They do like to get wedged between trees, but that's usually a sign to stop and make another cut, not back up and hit it harder with more gas. Even the really heavy green ones, you aren't carrying the full weight, just dragging it.

So long as you don't go and try to jerk on them (which could possibly snap your line anyway), or get caught on the downhill slope of a big one when it starts rolling down (I bent a rim on my tractor and snapped the winch off that way once) - I can't see an issue with it, even with the trailer hitch.

 

[SierraBronco]

Hauling logs aren't generally too tough of a pull though. Just big and awkward.

They do like to get wedged between trees, but that's usually a sign to stop and make another cut, not back up and hit it harder with more gas. Even the really heavy green ones, you aren't carrying the full weight, just dragging it.

So long as you don't go and try to jerk on them (which could possibly snap your line anyway), or get caught on the downhill slope of a big one when it starts rolling down (I bent a rim on my tractor and snapped the winch off that way once) - I can't see an issue with it, even with the trailer hitch.

Oh right. My bad. Forgot this thread was about fallen timber and got hung up on the hitch

I’d agree with that for sure

 

[mike8675309]

I pulled 4' concrete deck footings out of the ground with a recovery strap and backing up.
Just be smart about what you are doing. A free tree just laying in the road, pulling it off should be no sweat forwards or backwards in the bronco. Main reason why pulling is better is related to safety more than strength of anything. Pulling from the back is less likely to put something in your window. Its less likely for you to run over something or one you don't want to run over. Also you are more likely to stay on the road.

If you think you might have to pull stuff off, and you won't be alone. Bring radios with so the person outside directing you can actually talk to you.

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