Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game chainsaw winch?

I'm not sure if this is the best forum, but I'll give it a shot..

I remember reading posts way back that described using rope and a chainsaw engine as a portable winch to get big animal (elk?) out of the bush...

I take it some kind of pulley replaces the clutch/sprocket ? Where does one get one of those, how do you rig the rope, and how much pull do these things have?

Just curious... sounds like it could be a very cool addition to my "bush craft".

Brent;
Here's a link to the Simpson Capstan which I think is what you are looking for.

http://www.madsens1.com/capstan.htm

I purchase one of these in 1999, and love it. The good thing about the capstan is that you can buy low stretch rope (we purchased 200 yards of it) in whatever length you want. The unit itself weighs 9 pounds without the chainsaw, and it will pull the guts out of the world.
We have used it to move timber, pull animals out, and to winch vehicles out of mud and snow. Among the best items I have ever used in the mountains.
Paul

Best thing since horses.If you don't own a horse or even if you do and hunt steep country,the chainsaw winch is worth its weight in gold.

Jayco

I think that was a movie back in 1978. I'd stay clear of any woman wielding a chainsaw with a full tank of gas!

I don't own one but I have a friend that does and I have watched/helped him use his.

This applies to me and may to you. If you get one you had better practice using it some before you do anything serious with it.

The damn things will kill you or hurt you bad if you don't know what you are doing.

Now you boys that use them pile on and tell me if it is just me or are they really just tricky to use right?

BCR

Back before there were any decent chainsaws, the old timers would use a one cylinder gas engine that was obviously geared just right to run a simple capstan type winch as well. They used it for hoisting ice out of the lake to put in the ice houses at outpost lodges and such. They work really well. The chainsaw variety is a very efficient use of power, and the saw is built to run under all conditions.

Seeing that setup, I am tempted to get one, because I have a spare saw that I haven't been using for several years. It would be the cat's meow for hunting season.

I have a friend who has used one on three occassions with me hauling our elk out of the thick stuff. It almost takes three people to make the process work easily and even then it is hard work. One person must "ride" the elk to keep horns, head, hooves, etc from getting stuck behind dead falls, limbs, etc. Another must manage the cable to keep it from cutting into trees, limbs etc. as tension is applied. The third person of course, is necessary to run the saw, feed the cable properly. The big plus, is that you have the entire elk out and on the road in one piece. It is work, however and you will be dirty and sweat covered when finished, chain saw winch or not. I concur with BCR that it would be best to try and winch a tree up the slope first and see how easily it works. The equipment can be dangerous as there is a lot of stress and strain on the equipment. Be careful. If it cuts loose, you could be injured.

I haven't found anything particulary tricky or dangerous about using them as long as you use a little common sense as you would while using any kind of power tool or machinery. Use an appropriate grade and type(don't use nylon) of rope for the job,inspect regulary for fraying,make sure whatever you anchor to is stable, and a small snatch block is invaluable for pulling around stumps,logs, etc without having to zig-zag all over hellnback. Most guys that have a problem with snagging horns,etc are dragging head first,latch on to the hind legs and pull it out backwards. With a throttle lock on your saw, one person can do the job though it is MUCH easier to have two. Theres a company in Medford OR thats building a winch thats a little cheaper than the Simpson,but I don't know what the co name is.
The Lewis cable winch is somewhat easier for one person to use but heavier and more dangerous if the cable should snap.Also a PITA if that happens.

I hear you about how they could be tricky (and potentiallly dangerous) to use. I have a few chainsaws, and also a portable electric cable winch, and I respect all of those pieces of equipment (and the multiple ways that they could hurt ya).

Thanks for the links... anyone ever tried to make up something like this themselves?? the Simpson looks pretty good, but pricey. There doesn't appear to be too much high tech involved.

How do you secure the saw? by the handle? I'm not sure I'd trust the handle of any of my saws to be bearing all the load. I would've thought that there might be an extension back from the winch part with an eyelet or something to secure the saw/winch to a tree or something.

Again, thanks for the info.

Spendy but worth every penny! Heres the anchor cable on the winch.

ya, that looks pretty slick... thanks for the pict!

Simpson makes a real nice one complete with motor. Lighter and more compact than a chainsaw with a winch attachment. They call it the Sp model. Weighs 16lb total. I can't find their web site but found them at www.aloghomestore.com

A fellow moose hunter has used his for 15+ years. TK

You guys kill me!
Do the two things I do.

1) shoot them real close or even on the road, as I used to do. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Or

2) get skunked the last few years and you don't have a problem. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

But I think I would like to use one of them winches, I have seen them at trade shows and one of my brothers I think had plans to make something, but passed away before he could get to tinkering with it.

I'm with you on this partsman! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I just talked to the local chainsaw dealer/repairman, and he has had one for years. He says it will pull itself silly, but it is not as easy to use as they say. Said two people are really required to make it work well. He felt like the drum type was better, except for the fact that you are limited to the amount of cable/rope you can use, and the fact that the gas goes skunky if you don't use it much. He felt like the $400 US that Madsen wants for their product was a pretty good deal.

Glad you agree, so much nicer than all the arguing you can see these boys down below the border doing on some topics. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

We of course have bigger moose than them too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I know of one group that had to get a moose out of the swamp at the end of a lake called Taltapin and they used a winch and boats and hard work, but they did it.
I figure if they had not had the winch they would still be there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />