I see, Hawgnman. I have another 16 gallon feeder whose rope doesn't have to be so tough. I might need a cable for the 55 gallon one, though.

Firstshot, I would consider fixing it at my preferred height using 2x6's nailed to two trees and doing it like you say, but my feeders are a pain to get the lid off of (Game Country), unless they are on the ground so you can swing the cable attachment to both sides of the feeder top out of the way. Otherwise, we have a hard time getting the top off. I'd hate to have to worry about that as I am 15 feet in the air on a ladder with a 50 pound bag of feed in my arms! By the way, what load capacity or gear ratio, etc. did you try when you used the winch? Do you suppose if I used a 1,400 pound winch on a 300 pound feeder it wouldn't be so hard to crank?

Thanks fellas!