How to Make a Chainsaw Winch: Step-by-Step Guide

Published on: August 1, 2022
Written by David Rowan / Fact-checked by Eric Devin

Though chainsaw winch is not used daily, it is essential for lifting heavy-duty, especially for logging or hunting. This device is a multi-purpose forestry winching device. It helps to haul the load uphill without any hassle. 

There are two options to get a chainsaw winch. You can buy or make it. Buying a bulky winch is more costly than making it. This is because users feel comfortable using the homemade lightweight device and avoid a factory-made winch. But the question is how to formulate it. 

In this blog post, I discuss a few simple steps to resolve this issue with ease. So, why are you waiting? 

How to Make a Chainsaw Winch: Step-by-Step Direction 

It is nearly impossible to carry heavy objects from one place to another place. In this case, a homemade portable winch can be great assistance to haul any load. Instead of buying an expensive chainsaw winch from the local hardware store, make it an easy and affordable process. This universal equipment is powered by a chainsaw motor.

If you don’t know how to make a chainsaw winch, you will read the full method as well as my step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Separate the Chainsaw 

Separating the chainsaw from the engine is the first important thing. Without detaching you can not start the making process. Because the saw and the winch can’t stay in one engine.

 If you don’t know how to detach, you can go through the manual guide. This guide is also helpful to attach the saw again. After separating you should keep the saw in a safe place. Anytime you need to cut down trees then this saw is necessary. 

Step-2: Check the Chainsaw Engine

A faulty chainsaw engine can’t be able to make a perfect winch. Before starting the main work, you have to check the engine as well. Test the engine’s general parts including clutch and throttle. If the parts are rusty, you should avoid that engine. Especially, clutch and throttle should be in a favorable condition to make a standard winch. Sometimes you need to change the oil. When you ensure a better engine, you get outstanding performance from the winch.

Step 3: What You Need to Make

Primarily, you have already arranged a chainsaw winch, a chainsaw engine, and duct tape. These ingredients are not enough to do it. Other elements are also necessary to make a homemade winch. You can include scrap metals as well as strong cables.

Remember, a strong, flexible, and reliable steel cable is suitable for converting into a capstan. Instead of steel, you can use other metals. But, steel cables are rust-resistant and as strong as not breaking down if you are used to grabbing the heavy lifting. 

Alternatively, don’t miss to buy the basic parts of the winch including a channel, a flat iron, pull, shaft, angle, and more automotive parts. 

How do you get them? 

It is easy to collect from any local shop or any steel supply house. Or, you can find these parts from old wagons but new ones provide you a better service. 

Step 4: Assemble the Winch

In this step, you can assemble the chainsaw winch because all parts are ready. You put up with a steel cable. If you want to make a capstan winch, you will wind the cable on any capstan. Making the base of the winch,  prepare the flat iron, channel, and angles.

Step 5: Connect the Winch 

After removing the saw, all parts are also removed from the chainsaw. You have to remove the large saw washer from the connecting point. Then, include a small washer for connecting the winch. Now, it is time to insert the 7-tooth sprocket in the winch’s complimentary hole. See the front side, here you get two slots to put in the bar studs.

Now, turn on the lower side finding more slots along with more adjustable planks. These are fitted to make a winch, just fasten.

Step 6: Enroll  the Cable

In this step, you have to enroll in the cable. Remember that you try to keep it straight because tangles and wrinkles cable is not perfect. Next, drop through the cable on a hole. Just place it on the drum along with driving it to go through the contrary side.

Now, you can use duct tape to stop rolling around the cable if you don’t tighten the drum. Sometimes cable spools automatically, so the tape helps to keep it tight.

Step 7: Finishing Touch 

Now that your new homemade winch is ready to start the engine. Just unroll the cable to lock it on the log. Remember that you don’t need to attach the winch to the chainsaw. Pull the load carefully. Ensure that the load will not become up to 5000 pounds.

FAQs 

How Do You Use a Winch on a Chainsaw?

Generally, the homemade portable chainsaw winch is enough to do many objects. Uphill the trees or logs with ease. Even hunters can use this portable device to haul several animals. Additionally, if your car breaks down somehow, you can use the chainsaw winch to transfer it from one spot to another. 

The use of the chainsaw winch is not hard. Using gas you can operate manually. So, no worries about operating systems.

What Are the Applications for a Chainsaw Winch?

There is no doubt that a chainsaw winch is an important tool for use in remote areas. Especially where the power outlets are not available to use. Though winches are accessible in the market, a homemade chainsaw winch can be the best way to lift your chainsaw. 

It is extremely easy to use and transfer. Because homemade chainsaws are more portable than the factory-made winch. Even this is more budget-friendly instead of buying a bulky gas-powered winch. 

Alternatively, you can buy a chainsaw and a winch separately. It is a great idea to save money. Anyway, chainsaw winches are useful for hauling or lifting chainsaws. This device is powered by a high-quality motor. 

Can I Use a Chainsaw Winch for Vehicle Recovery?

No, a chainsaw winch is not perfect for vehicle recovery. Vehicles are heavyweight and it is not easy to lift. But, some vehicles are not as heavy as you can not use the winch. Remember that you have to know the chainsaw winch’s loading capability if you want to use it. When you have no other options for vehicles, you can use the winch just carefully. In an odd situation, a chainsaw winch can be a great choice.

How Many Pounds can a Chainsaw Winch Pull?

Several factory-made chainsaw winches are coming with different sizes and different powers. Their pulling capacity is dependent on the size of chainsaw winch. But, most of the winches are able to uphill around 4000 lbs although it is not sufficient.

If you get the 3.0 cu.in. or larger engine chainsaw winch, you can use lifting heavy objects. Keep in mind that the homemade winch is portable and lightweight enough to hoist up to 5000 pounds. On the other hand, you don’t have to invest more to make the home built chainsaw winch.

Final Verdict 

So, it is easy to make a chainsaw winch. I have already presented a little bit on this matter although that is not enough to fulfill your specific needs. The biggest advantage of the homemade chainsaw winch is to save a lot of money. To make it, you need to invest a limited amount of time just collecting some materials. Hopefully, you understood the seven basic steps of making a chainsaw winch.

Read more:

• Chainsaw Chain Identification Chart
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