Capstan winch vs quad bike

[deerstalker.308]

I’m seriously toying with the idea of getting rid of the quad bike and swapping it for a petrol capstan winch.
My stalking although primarily for reds, and big ones too, is never a million miles away from where I park, and there are plenty of trees to anchor from hence the consideration.
My reasons being the quad is a lot of money tied up which sits idle for most of the year, and a liability were it to get nicked. It requires ongoing running costs and insurance etc, the winch, would be less speedy I’m sure but may actually get stuff out of thicker undergrowth where the quad would fail.
Can any one with experience of the winches I’m talking about give any real world feedback please. Pros/cons etc.

 

[Arborist Craig]

Just some extra food for thought: you will obviously need to carry it but take up less space that travelling with quad.
The winches are brilliant and depending which you get can be used to extract a vehicle should you get stuck. It is a more sensitive extraction method than the quad should your site be sensitive.
The carcass would be on the ground though so chance of contamination is increased.
The winch is easier to store though.

 

[stevenedwards]

My only experience is some time ago on a guided stalk. Who is going to carry the winch and don't forget the weight of the rope and strap. When you get the animal up the slope or what ever and then drag it to a pick up point some one has to carry the winching gear. My guide moved all this kit on a quad !! As I say only one experience, other here have huge experience.

 

[deerstalker.308]

I extract them on a big purpose built plastic sled so ground contact isn’t an issue. I’m looking at this one:

Portable Winch PCW3000 Capstan Winch - OrionForestry.co.uk

The PCW3000 from Portable Winch is only 9,5 kg (20 lb) but very powerful: 700 kg (1550 lb) straight line pulls. Plus it has an optional backpack for hunting

www.orionforestry.co.uk

Which would be fine for the biggest stags but easy enough to carry is a bag to get close to the deer.

 

[deerstalker.308]

It’s also flat ground, and I’d be able to get a vehicle within a max of 200-300m of the deer so carting the winch & rope wouldn’t be a massive concern

 

[Arborist Craig]

Depending on your budget you might want to look at the EDER powerwinch, the 1800 with a pulley in the system will pull 3.6 tonne. Also the Eder runs on pre mixed 2 stroke which for me using chainsaws is easier as I don’t need separate meat petrol. The PCW runs on neat petrol.

 

[deerstalker.308]

Im working on the basis that I have circa £4500 tied up in the quad and trailer which get used a handful of times a year, whereas a winch and rope would be about £1500 with no annual overheads, so long as they can do the job

 

[rem284]

Quad is faster and keeps carcass cleaner. Ive got both and will only use winch when i cant get the bike to them beast

 

[deerstalker.308]

I’m intrigued by the “keeps carcass cleaner” statement, how so?

 

[rem284]

I’m intrigued by the “keeps carcass cleaner” statement, how so?

Drag the carcass on to the bike carrier, tie on and drive. Winch drags it along the ground

 

[deerstalker.308]

Drag the carcass on to the bike carrier, tie on and drive. Winch drags it along the ground

Ah. I see, but as I said above, I use a purpose built large drag sled to get them out so zero ground contact once in the tray.....

 

[deerstalker.308]

(I’ve never attempted to get a lowland stag on the front or rear racks on my quad bike, they’re too much for that!)

 

[sikasako]

I bought a PCW3000 capstan (Portable winch company) for extracting reds over in Argyll, where quad access was not practical.
Worked well, but rather slow at a retrieval rate of 26 feet/minute. ( Could pull in 2 stags at same time no problem as its rated for 700kg straight pull). At 9.5 kg it is truly portable, but don't underestimate the weight of 100 or 150 m of 10 or 12 mm rope !
Another option might be something like the PCW5000 model which comes in heavier at 16kg, but offers a standard retrieval rate of 40 feet/min and can upgrade to 60 feet/min with optional drum.
I found Orion Forestry to be very helpful, advice wise when purchasing my capstan winch. (No affiliation )
Depending on the terrain you may need a nose cone to avoid the dragged deer becoming snagged . (Essential in clear fell forestry situations).

 

[rem284]

Ah. I see, but as I said above, I use a purpose built large drag sled to get them out so zero ground contact once in the tray.....

Aye, all depends on the ground. I at times can shoot deer a few kilometres from a road so winching would take too much time and be a pita. Deer sledge would end up going upside down on my rough retocks.

 

[devon deer stalker]

I will be looking into getting a capstan when I have some spare funds, I have a couple of places where a quad can't even get there, and I have not shot several reds because it would kill me if I tried.
Cheers
Richard

 

[Tim.243]

See the logic about tied up cash etc, my take on it would to see if you can hire something close to what you need for a weekend and do a trial run with a last light shot with the deer travailing a bit further than you expected....
Say 1/2 hr to find deer walk back to get winch then set up in the dark and pull it back....

Tim.243

 

[sikasako]

See the logic about tied up cash etc, my take on it would to see if you can hire something slimier for a weekend and do a trial run with a last light shot with the deer travailing a bit further than you expected....
Say 1/2 hr to find deer walk back to get winch then set up in the dark and pull it back....

Tim.243

Something slimier???

Intrigued.

Could you expand please?

Or is it that awful predictive texting strikes again ?

 

[Tim.243]

Something slimier???

Intrigued.

Could you expand please?

Or is it that awful predictive texting strikes again ?

I was last but one in the queue for spelling......however for being inventive, fixing most things then I was first in line...


Tim.243

 

[Uncle f]

Andy
I’ve not used a capstan for deer retrieval but I have for forestry works and it’s a great bit of kit. However slow and Heavy mate.
I’d stick with the quad bud

 

[dlz90]

I have used the pcw3000 it's not the fastest but it will just keep pulling, I have seen it pull three red hinds up a very steep arduous slope where you would never take a quad the distance was around 300m and it was done with ease I think they are brilliant pieces of kit, there really is no 100% perfect solution for every extraction but my experience of the pcw3000 although limited is that it will always get the job done it may not be the fastest but it will not stop and for such a small unit packs a lot of punch, as mentioned by sikasako above try your best to avoid getting snagged.

D