What's everyone using for raising and lowering their skinning gambrel? Decided with my back issues it's time to do things the easy way. Basically have the gambrel with critter hanging start low and raise it as I skin. I have a chain gambrel hanging from rafters in garage currently

Just a simple block and tackle. Same thing I use for deer. I run the loose end of the rope to a bench vice. Then can raise and lower as needed for best work height. All the pauses make skinning jobs take longer, but I'm not out to set any records. Just be kind to my back.

Electronic winch.

I bought a Pittsburgh 440 pound electric winch from harbor freight.

I rigged a simple pulley rig in my shed, fastened the pulley to a roof rafter and put a small boat cleat for the tag end of the rope at a convenient height....used it for coons, worked great.

I have a harbor freight winch set up. My buddy uses a chain hoist set up. Pretty slick setup. He is in no hurry at all.

Russ

When he was still building them, I bought a skinning machine from ADC years ago. It's been one of the best investments I've made. Check out A & J Skinning Machines https://www.facebook.com/groups/778949436283821/ if you're looking for something like this.

Appreciate the input. Was leaning towards a pulley system, cheaper and I'm not in a rush and don't catch numbers to need to be in a rush.

Before I got a skinning machine, I just started pulling sideways so I wasn't bending over. Just need a bigger floor cover if you want avoid a mess.

By an electric winch and you’re half way to a skinning machine that way it’s a back/hands saver.

X2 They carried on my designs when I retired from building them. Came to my shop and I taught them how I did it. They are good guys to deal with too. If you don't do facebook, PM me I'll get you a phone number if you're interested. He's also a member here ... https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/users/54221/rookieia

BTW they are electric hoists, not winches if you're searching to buy one. $80, free delivery on Amazon. Click here.

If you're skinning any number of coons a day or even just one or two coyotes a day, it's well worth buying or building yourself a skinning machine IMO. Here's an old post I made about them that some of you may find interesting. https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/7928086/skinning-machine#Post7928086

Electric hoist.

That is actually pretty slick... Time saver for sure. I appreciate the link to that post!

Electric winch also

I just put a 1/2 carriage bolt through a rafter and ran a rope over it. One end is attached to the gambrel and the other end goes to a cleat on the wall. I have two gambrels set up like that in my fur shed. Simple, cheap and effective.

Quite a difference between back savers and bicep builders.

I've always had boat Winches and pulleys. Built a skinning machine with electric winch this year. But these always work for deer and critters

^^This is for furbearers.^^

For deer I have my gambrels attached to locking pulleys.