Firewood processor project.

[4570Man]

That’s how I made mine. A track torch would be leaps and bounds better than my free hand guide assist job but that’s still better than a grinder alone.

 

[Millet]

Did you use mild steel or something else?

 

[muddstopper]

before and after using a grinder,

 

[Millet]

Ok, so I have almost finish the hydraulic circuit. My first idea was to use 2 hydraulic cylinder , one working and another one "lazy" but activate when
necessary with an sequence valve. The cylinders are mechanically connected at the push plate side. the port on the lazy cylinder are connected
to the tank . but the extend port are also connected to the pump with a sequence valve. Something like this:





But this was before I found the website flowfit.com and more pump option that surpluscenter.com.
now I will use just one cylinder 5x2.5x24" at 3000 psi for 26 tons max. I will have two pump (hi-lo) with an unloading valve.
to have speed and force when needing.

My question is about the hydraulic motor for the saw if you have the choice between exceeding the max PSI or the max RPM by 10% what
will be your choice? or what do you think will be the worst?

 

[muddstopper]

Of course anytime you exceed the factory recommendation on pressure and flow, you will see a decrease in service life. With that said, most hyd parts do have some rated maximum with a significant safety factor already figured in. An increase of just 10% of flow or pressure probably isnt going to result in a immediant parts failure. I would probably err on the side of more flow before I chose more pressure. If you find the saw bogs while in the cut, you can always chose a skip type chain, or run higher rakers on the current chain to reduce the amount of cut each chain rotation makes. Flow can be controlled by engine throttle and pressure can be changed by adjusting the relief.

 

[Millet]

I also think that increasing flow is better than pressure. Now I have a question about regenerative circuit for the splitter.
If my cylinder is 5x2x24" Do you think that the ratio between the bore and the rode side "permit" a regenerative circuit?

My concern is that the differential area of the bore and rode are to "close" to have the cylinder extend. I know that many say that this concept is for cylinder that have a ratio of 1:2.

And do you know what the speed of this cylinder will be on the bore side with regenerative flow?

 

[Millet]

What do you think about this cylinder:

Hydraulic cylinder Log Splitter 4.5"Bore x 24" stroke 35PSI 3 Tons OEM vender | eBay

My concern is that the rode is 1,75" and the cylinder is rated 3500 psi or 30 ton... it seem a lot of force on this size of rode.
No?

 

[texasranger556]

In simple terms, Regen mode would give you the speed and force of a 1.75" cylinder (or whatever size the rod is).

I started a log splitter project that has a Regen position on the valve, in initial tests it speeds up the dead space cycle time and even splits some small stuff in Regen mode. The cylinder is 4x30", would have to measure the rod, but probably 1.75 or so.

 

[muddstopper]

Regen will only work to extend the cyl but scarfices force. There is a regen valve that can be used but I cant see the value of even having regen available. You would have to move the valve into regen mode for a fast extend and then move the valve handle again to put in split mode. If you had a 36in stroke cyl and was splitting really short wood, then maybe. Other wise, I think its a waste of money on a wood splitter.I know there are companies promoteing regen and fast cycle times on wood splitter, but I aint buying it.

 

[muddstopper]

What do you think about this cylinder:

Hydraulic cylinder Log Splitter 4.5"Bore x 24" stroke 35PSI 3 Tons OEM vender | eBay

My concern is that the rode is 1,75" and the cylinder is rated 3500 psi or 30 ton... it seem a lot of force on this size of rode.
No?

If your looking for speed and power, why not look for a cyl with a bigger rod. Going from a 5in bore cyl with a 2in rod to a 4.5in cly with the 1.75 rod isnt going to give you any noticeable amount of speed increase and is going to cost you splitting force. Cyl with extra big rods are usually pretty expensive, but if you can find a used cyl with the bore you want, you can have a machine shop machine out the gland cap to accept a bigger size rod. You can aso buy a new rod gland cap to fit a larger rod out of another big bore/big rod cyl and install the larger rod in your smaller bore cyl. Used cyl are usually pretty cheap if you find someone scrapping out a large piece of equipment. Unless the cyl are dented or damaged, buying the parts you need to build your own specialty cyl with a great big rod can be done for pennies compared to buying a specialty spec'd out cyl. A new gland cap for a 5in bore cyl and a 3.5in rod is $117, one for a 4in rod is the same price. Hydraulic Seals - Hercules Sealing Products | Cylinder Repair Kits - Quality Seals Fast.

 

[Virx1]

Hello

Have you built your machines?
I'm gonna finish. Here's a little video of my machine.

Homemade Firewood processor. - YouTube

 

[polemidis]

I did built them. There is a lot of things that need improvement though! But after all I am satisfied with that 1st prototype.
I have processed a total of about 35 cords. I need about 1:45 hours for each cord start to finish, which includes the time with the tractor to load the deck, a possible reinstallation of the conveyor chain (my outfeed conveyor really sucks) plus some refuel.

Here are 2 small timelapses I have posted. But if you guys need more videos, I have a ton of them.
A short timelapse of the firewood... - Karamousadakis Emmanouil | Facebook
A better point of view - Karamousadakis Emmanouil | Facebook

Congrats on your built! It looks awesome!

 

[davedj1]

Hello

Have you built your machines?
I'm gonna finish. Here's a little video of my machine.

Homemade Firewood processor. - YouTube

Very nice, what does the switch on the log stop trigger?

 

[davedj1]

I did built them. There is a lot of things that need improvement though! But after all I am satisfied with that 1st prototype.
I have processed a total of about 35 cords. I need about 1:45 hours for each cord start to finish, which includes the time with the tractor to load the deck, a possible reinstallation of the conveyor chain (my outfeed conveyor really sucks) plus some refuel.

Here are 2 small timelapses I have posted. But if you guys need more videos, I have a ton of them.
A short timelapse of the firewood... - Karamousadakis Emmanouil | Facebook
A better point of view - Karamousadakis Emmanouil | Facebook

Congrats on your built! It looks awesome!

I like it but it looks like your hand is in harms way an awful lot. I would like to see it in real time.

 

[polemidis]

I like it but it looks like your hand is in harms way an awful lot. I would like to see it in real time.

I agree that a protective sheet should be next to the controls to protect my right hand and my face in case the chain breaks or gets off the bar. It actually happend The chain got off and spinned in front of my hand, no harm was made but it was scary.. A barrier is also needed because some chips bounce here and there. The whole "protection" subject needs some work in the next version



Check it

, thats a better angle.

 

[Oaktree]

Hello

Have you built your machines?
I'm gonna finish. Here's a little video of my machine.

Homemade Firewood processor. - YouTube

Curiously, how do you get the logs on to the feed belt?

 

[Virx1]

Very nice, what does the switch on the log stop trigger?

This turns off the feed belt.

 

[Virx1]

Curiously, how do you get the logs on to the feed belt?

The plan is to make a feed table where the logs will be lifted with a tractor.