I've had a few cheepo winches and have been lucky with them only had to rebuild 1 a super winch that melted its motor. But I would not recommend them for that sort of work.
I've been doing that for the past 5yrs .... and hand-winching trees to the ground Unfortunately, having a bit of experience of 'logging' and wood extraction it's not always possible to tow trees out, and this year my allocation of wood is a bitch to get to - hence the winch questions. I'll post some pics when I've felled them.
I'm opting for a cheapo winch from fleabay (and bumper) this time around, if it lasts a couple of years it will have paid for itself.
Do most of you with winches use an isolator switch?
I drag trees out. When they are too big chain round it and up to block n pulley and lift onto blocks of wood. I just make it smaller. Then use same pulley to lift onto trailer.