A HAFO auxiliary winch is a hydraulically powered auxiliary winch that automatically pulls the heavy winch cable from your forestry winch toward the tree. It makes logging much easier, especially on steep or rough terrain. Instead of having to laboriously carry the heavy steel cable uphill yourself, the auxiliary winch handles this step quickly and with minimal effort, and all you have to do is pull a very thin plastic rope uphill.

A homemade winch is usually heavier, more expensive, less powerful, and poses safety risks. Building an auxiliary winch requires many hydraulic components that must work together perfectly. The material costs for a single attempt would amount to at least 2,000 euros, with no guarantee of success. The HAFO auxiliary winch features several design details to ensure smooth and flawless operation. Many DIY enthusiasts overlook this. Most importantly, the HAFO auxiliary winch meets all safety requirements for an auxiliary winch. Reselling a homemade winch is practically impossible and legally prohibited without a CE mark. The HAFO, on the other hand, increases the value of the forestry winch.

The HAFO auxiliary winch is hydraulically powered by the carrier vehicle. It pays out a thin, lightweight auxiliary rope that is attached to the heavy winch rope. As the rope is reeled in, the HAFO auxiliary winch automatically pulls the main rope toward the tree trunk. This eliminates the need to manually carry the slings and the winch rope. The work becomes faster, safer, and significantly less physically demanding.

HAFO relies on robust, high-quality construction, first-class materials, durable coatings, and high rope speed (up to 3 m/s). Additional advantages include large rope capacity (250–350 m) and very easy installation. The products are field-tested, durable, and compatible with many forestry winches. Their reliable hydraulics and ease of operation are particularly appreciated.

• No laborious pulling of the heavy winch cable and rigging equipment
• significantly faster working
• reduced risk of accidents caused by slipping or overloading
• more efficient timber harvesting with lower physical strain
• fewer workers required - ideal for sole traders, it is possible to pull a heavy steel cable up to 150 m high single-handedly.

No. These winches are unwieldy and usually have to be carried to the site beforehand. A HAFO auxiliary winch is permanently installed on the forestry winch and is always ready for use. Oil supply from the carrier vehicle, radio control via the winch radio. Anyone who regularly skids timber and wants to work professionally relies on a reliable HAFO auxiliary winch – because time is money.

For forest owners, forestry contractors and farmers who regularly work on slopes or in hard-to-reach areas. The assist winch also offers a major boost to safety and comfort for older people or those working alone. A portion of the costs is often covered by insurance.

Particularly worthwhile is the HAFO auxiliary winch as a retrofit solution for older forestry winches without rope payout. The retrofit makes operation significantly more comfortable and efficient.

The investment costs are – depending on the design – approximately 1,500 to 2,500 euros. This solves two challenges at once: the heavy winch cable no longer has to be laboriously pulled out by hand, while at the same time being fed out of the forestry winch in a controlled and reliable manner. This saves time, reduces physical strain and increases efficiency in daily forestry work.

The HAFO auxiliary winch is mounted directly onto the forestry winch using a compatible bracket. HAFO offers brackets for many manufacturers. The hydraulic system is connected to the carrier vehicle and integrated into the existing winch radio system. The winch is then immediately ready for use. The HAFO auxiliary winch always comes with a quick-change bracket. HAFO is the only supplier that offers ready-made mounting solutions for all common forestry cable winches. This means that, in the event of a replacement, the winch can be easily mounted onto a new winch.

The main difference is the rope length—250 m for the EASY auxiliary winch and 350 m for the PRO auxiliary winch. The EASY auxiliary winches can cover distances of approximately 120 m. The PRO auxiliary winch is suitable for distances of up to 170 m. The maximum pulling force is 500 kg for the EASY auxiliary winch and 600 kg for the PRO auxiliary winch. Size: The EASY auxiliary winch has a slightly more compact design.

That depends on the design of your forestry winch. Many manufacturers specify a preferred side for installation. HAFO offers mounting brackets suitable for both sides. The key factors are where the main cable exits the drum and how much space is available. It’s best to use the configurator to find the right version. Link to the configurator

Good to know: The bracket's mounting point is located directly behind the winch tower.

Depending on the model, the auxiliary winch holds 250–350 m of synthetic rope. This allows you to pull 120 or 170 m of the main rope toward the trunk in a single operation. If you reposition the pulley, you can even cover even greater distances.

The removable cable drum ensures greater efficiency, safety, and flexibility in the forest. After use, the cable can remain in the skid trail, saving time and effort. The drum can be removed in a single step without tools and is protected against accidental loss thanks to well-designed safety features.

This solution can be retrofitted or installed on all HAFO auxiliary winches and increases the winch’s value over the long term. A practical advantage for even more efficient work in the forest.

You can find current prices at any time in our online store: https://www.hafo.co.at/shop/