Our forestry winches

Frequently asked questions about the forestry winch

• What is a forestry winch?

  A forestry winch is a tractor-mounted machine that pulls logs from the stand to the skidding spot using a wire rope. It converts the tractor’s PTO or hydraulic power into rope pulling force and is the central skidding tool in mechanised timber harvesting.

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• What is a forest winch?

  A forest winch is the same as a forestry winch — a tractor-mounted winch for skidding logs out of the stand. Forest winch is the everyday term; the standard term is forestry winch.

• Which winch fits my tractor?

  That depends on weight, track width and the pulling force you need. Use our winch finder to see suitable models.

• How much pulling force do I need for my tractor?

  That depends on weight, track width and the pulling force you need. Use our winch finder to see suitable models.

• What do Cat I, Cat II, Cat III mean?

  The category (Cat) refers to your tractor’s three-point hitch — not the winch. Cat I: compact tractor up to ~50 hp (22 mm pins). Cat II: standard tractor 50–120 hp (28 mm pins). KGD supplies the matching adapter plate, so there is nothing you need to source yourself.

• Can I also mount the winch on the front linkage?

  Some KGD models can be mounted on the front linkage — but that is a special version. Send us your model and tractor details and we’ll work out the specifics for you.

• Does the winch need regular maintenance?

  Yes: an annual safety inspection (UVV) is recommended, and for commercial use in Germany it is required by law. Chain lubrication, brake band checks and rope inspection are part of the routine. We supply spare parts for life — even for machines from the 1970s.

• How long can I get spare parts for my KGD winch?

  Lifetime spare-parts availability — even for machines built as far back as 1974. The oldest KGD winch we still supply today is an SW 0 from 1974 — brake bands available, no problem. No other forestry winch manufacturer offers that: with a capital investment that runs for 20–30 years, what counts is whether you can still get parts in 15 years. All drawings since 1972 are archived.

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