Winches - Lifting Jacks Docma

Docma S.r.l. manufactures machinery and accessories for the forestry, agricultural and industrial sectors in San Giovanni Lupatoto, in the province of Verona. The company was founded on the partners’ more than twenty years of experience and has developed a range that includes winches, log splitters and saw benches. Its production philosophy focuses on safety, functionality and quality control throughout every manufacturing stage, supported by an organised sales and service network.

Docma hoists and winches are designed for pulling logs and other loads in woodland, over difficult ground or in places inaccessible to larger machinery. Their portable structure makes it easier to move between work sites, while the different pulling systems offer a choice between a running rope and a rope stored on the drum. The range is suitable for woodland maintenance, timber recovery and controlled load handling, subject to the capacities and procedures specified for each model.

This selection also includes the following types of Docma petrol winches, classified according to their pulling system and rope arrangement:

• Docma direct-pull petrol winches: the rope runs around the pulling drum without being fully stored inside the machine. This configuration provides considerable freedom when selecting the rope length while keeping the machine compact;
• Docma petrol drum winches: the rope is wound and stored on the built-in drum. This system combines pulling and rope collection in a single machine, with manual or automatic winding versions;

At AgriEuro, Docma hoists and winches can be selected according to their technical specifications, helping users identify the machine best suited to the pulling conditions, working distance and frequency of operation. The main parameters to compare are:

• Pulling system: direct-pull models use a rope running around the drum, whereas drum systems wind and store the rope on the machine;
• Maximum pulling force: this indicates the force developed by the winch in its direct configuration and must be assessed in relation to the load, friction and ground gradient;
• Pulling force with a pulley: using a pulley in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions can double the stated nominal force, with a corresponding change in travel speed;
• Petrol engine: the range includes 2-stroke and 4-stroke configurations, which should be assessed in terms of weight, noise level, fuel and operating continuity;
• Compatible rope: its diameter, material, length and number of turns must comply with the specifications of the individual model and accessories;
• Pulling speed: expressed in metres per minute on the technical data sheets, this affects recovery times and operational control;
• Automatic brake: this stops movement when the relevant system control is released, according to the machine configuration;
• Weight and dimensions: compact dimensions and structural handles make transportation through woodland and positioning near the anchoring point easier;

The most compact models are suitable for occasional jobs, private woodland maintenance and recovery operations over varying distances. Versions with greater pulling force, a built-in drum or a rope guide can also meet recurring professional requirements, including logging and moving timber in locations with restricted access. Selection must always account for the actual load, the rope path and the accessories permitted by the manufacturer.

Docma portable winches share a design intended for forestry and agricultural work, but use different solutions for running and storing the rope. Comparing direct-pull systems with built-in drums helps assess the working distance, ease of transportation and rewinding method. Each configuration requires ropes, accessories and procedures that comply with the instructions for the relevant model.

Docma direct-pull petrol winches run the rope around the pulling drum using a specific number of turns, without storing it inside the machine. The rope length can therefore be selected according to the required route, provided that its diameter and features are compatible with the model. This design keeps weight and dimensions low, which is useful when the winch must be carried on foot among trees, slopes and narrow passages. Progressive pulling allows logs to be moved closer, loads to be dragged along the ground or work to be performed with a suitably rated pulley system. The automatic brake fitted to models in the range stops the load when the relevant control is released. Available versions also differ in terms of engine, maximum force, drum speed and rope diameter. Before starting work, a suitable anchoring point must be prepared and the entire pulling route checked.

This configuration is distinguished by the following operating features:

• Running rope: it is not stored inside the winch and can cover different distances within the limits of the selected system;
• Compact structure: its weight and dimensions assist manual transportation to work sites located far from forestry roads;
• Turns around the drum: their number and diameter must match the model specifications to obtain the intended grip;
• Pulley system: this changes the pulling direction, force and speed and requires accessories with a suitable load rating;

Docma petrol drum winches incorporate a winding system that collects the rope directly on the machine and keeps it ready for the next operation. Drum capacity determines the compatible rope length and diameter, which must be checked together with the pulling force and recovery speed. The range includes solutions with manual winding and models equipped with an automatic rope guide that distributes the rope as it is retrieved. Some configurations use steel wire rope, while others use a textile rope specified by the manufacturer. The built-in drum keeps the collection phase orderly and reduces the number of separate operations required after pulling. These models are suitable when the rope and winding system need to be combined in one portable unit. The automatic brake and anchoring points complete a structure designed for repeated forestry operations and controlled load movement.

The features to assess within this range include:

• Drum capacity: this determines the permitted combination of rope length and diameter;
• Manual winding: the operator must directly control how the rope is arranged as it returns onto the drum;
• Automatic winding: the built-in rope guide distributes the rope across the available drum width;
• Transmission disengagement: on models with this feature, it assists with unwinding the rope before pulling begins;

AgriEuro complements its selection of Docma hoists and winches with services covering delivery, maintenance and after-sales support. The availability of assistance and spare parts continues to support the machine after its initial commissioning.

• Fast, free delivery handled by AgriEuro logistics centres: orders are prepared and dispatched through an organised process designed to reduce the time between purchase and machine delivery;
• Option to order spare parts that are always available: components can be identified through the spare-parts diagram linked to the purchased product and accessible from the personal account;
• After-sales support: AgriEuro’s technical service provides attentive, personalised assistance with operating enquiries, spare parts and work concerning the purchased product;

Buy the Docma hoist or winch best suited to your forestry work from AgriEuro now.

With a direct-pull system, the rope passes around the pulling drum and continues beyond the machine without being stored inside it. The operating length can therefore be chosen according to the required route, while complying with the permitted diameter, material and number of turns. With a drum model, the rope is wound and stored on the machine. This solution combines the pulling and collection systems, but the available distance depends on the stated drum capacity.

The pulling force should be selected by considering the load weight and all resistance encountered during movement. Gradients, soft ground, friction from the log, obstacles and the pulling angle can increase the effort compared with the nominal weight alone. The value stated on the data sheet indicates the pulling force under the configuration specified by the manufacturer and does not automatically correspond to the mass that can be moved in every situation. Complex loads require cautious sizing and compliance with the machine manual.

A pulley changes the direction of the rope and, in permitted configurations, creates a pulley system that increases the force available at the load. Doubling the pulling force reduces the speed and changes the stresses applied to anchor points, the rope and accessories. Every component must have a load rating compatible with the resulting force. Docma also identifies the redirect pulley as a useful component for correct machine operation and for reducing strain while dragging a log.

The rope must comply with the material, diameter and length stated on the data sheet and in the manual for the individual winch. The correct number of turns around the drum is also important on direct-pull models, while models with a built-in drum must remain within its capacity. The range includes configurations designed for steel wire ropes and others for specific textile ropes. One type should not be replaced with another without explicit confirmation from the manufacturer, as grip, winding, load capacity and behaviour under tension may differ.

The quantity depends on the drum capacity and the rope diameter specified for each model. A thicker rope occupies more space and reduces the length that can be wound onto the drum, while a thinner rope is permitted only when listed among the approved configurations. The drum must not be filled beyond the stated limit, as irregular arrangement can cause overlapping, crushing or interference. The product data sheet specifies the correct combination of rope length and diameter.

Manual winding has a simpler construction and requires the operator to control the rope arrangement on the drum directly. Automatic winding uses a built-in rope guide that directs the rope as it returns and distributes the turns. The choice depends on the frequency of work, operating preference and intended rope type. In both cases, rewinding must follow the tension and procedure stated in the manual, avoiding loose or crossed turns.

Before starting, check the rope, hook, anchor point, pulleys, brake and fasteners. The rope must not have broken strands, crushed sections, cuts, deformation or abrasions that would make operation unsafe. The pulling area must be clear and the load route must remain visible, with no people in the area exposed to the tensioned rope. Fuel, controls, machine stability and the compatibility of each accessory with the expected force must also be checked. The model manual remains the reference for the complete procedure.

Routine maintenance starts with cleaning the machine and inspecting the rope, drum, rope guide, hooks, pulleys and anchoring points. Screws and fasteners must be tight, while controls and the brake must move correctly. The specified intervals for the filter, spark plug, lubrication and fuel system must be followed for the petrol engine. The winding arrangement should also be checked on drum models. Any component damaged or worn beyond the permitted limits must be replaced before further operation.

A winch designed for pulling must not automatically be used as lifting equipment. Vertical lifting introduces load conditions and risks that differ from dragging and is permitted only when expressly specified by the manufacturer for the machine, rope and accessories. Without such instructions, the winch must be used exclusively in the ways stated in the manual. Even during angled pulls, nobody should pass beneath the load, and the anchor points must suit the direction of the forces.

Docma portable winches are designed with compact dimensions and a low weight, but the transportation method depends on the model weight and route conditions. Before moving the machine, the engine must be switched off, the rope must be free of load and moving parts must be secured. The handles and gripping points provided on the machine allow more stable transportation; the winch must not be lifted by the rope, controls or components not intended as lifting points. The route should be planned before moving the equipment over slopes or uneven ground.