I'm lucky enough to have a wood lot that is level enough and open enough to get most places without a winch. I use my 45 hp Bobcat tractor, my polaris ranger, and sometimes my Dodge Ram to get to what I need. That said, the skid winch looks pretty good, but I noted the description comments ' Operation on hilly terrain or in wet conditions not recommended'. To me, that seems like the times when you really need one.

That said, it does look like it could save some time. The few times I need to skid something, I put a chain around a tree off to the side but above the log (with limbs stuck in or something protecting the bark), hook a cable to the chain, and the other end to the log. I then hook a chain to my tractor, looping the cable, and then pull with the tractor. The tractor chain slided up the cable,, but I get a bit more pull with shorter distance. This takes a bit more time, but since it is rare I need to do it, I don't mind. The capstan winch really looks like a good fast way to skid.

I have also been looking into Norwoods skid winch and have suprisingly been unable to find independent reviews. Has it not been out very long or is it just not a popular attachment? I struggle to make a purchase like that with such little information on it. I would love to hear people's opinion on how it holds up as well as the real world issues they have faced with it.