Firewood prosessor

[Tor Arne]

build some type of chain oiler as well,

Yes I have a small 12v fuel pump and a needle valve which is scheduled for the purpose

 

[Craig Clayton]

[I watched the machine in operation and I observed the gentlemans many hand and foot movements. I myself would become mentally tired after running this machine after a few hours.
I would suggest a slight lose on production of wood but build in some automation on the advance, cross cut cycle.
There is a small electrical controller out for under $200 Canadian from siemens or Kloncker. These are known as micro PLC and are being used in many newer large machines to control them.
They are easy to program. It could control the solenoid valve for the crosscut saw count to 3secs to allow the wood to drop before the ram advances. If the wood jammed you could hit a stop button and the saws would retract to the HOME postion. That means start over when commanded.

[ame="http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5PlDdItmo"]http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5PlDdItmo[/ame]

I found this vid for an elevator which is very similiar to your cutting cycle.
I spent 2 years at night school writing programs for machines like the demo.

Craig Clayton

 

[Tor Arne]

[I watched the machine in operation and I observed the gentlemans many hand and foot movements. I myself would become mentally tired after running this machine after a few hours.
I would suggest a slight lose on production of wood but build in some automation on the advance, cross cut cycle.
There is a small electrical controller out for under $200 Canadian from siemens or Kloncker. These are known as micro PLC and are being used in many newer large machines to control them.
They are easy to program. It could control the solenoid valve for the crosscut saw count to 3secs to allow the wood to drop before the ram advances. If the wood jammed you could hit a stop button and the saws would retract to the HOME postion. That means start over when commanded.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5PlDdItmo

I found this vid for an elevator which is very similiar to your cutting cycle.
I spent 2 years at night school writing programs for machines like the demo.

Craig Clayton

Hey, thanks for the idea I'm considering doing this, but will first build the machine and see how it is to operate with joystiks to make it as most fool-proof as possible. when I have tried and seen that everything works well mechanically I will consider it. I also learned how to program the these when I went to school, here they call the class electro-mechanical engineering. basicaly I lerned everything from welding, fabrication, hydraulics, penumatikk, electro both digital and analog to regular maintenance

 

[Jim Shooz]

I've always been impressed by this operation:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te3FBhdqgK8]Bobcat Log Splitter - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Redneck in training]

[I watched the machine in operation and I observed the gentlemans many hand and foot movements. I myself would become mentally tired after running this machine after a few hours.
I would suggest a slight lose on production of wood but build in some automation on the advance, cross cut cycle.
There is a small electrical controller out for under $200 Canadian from siemens or Kloncker. These are known as micro PLC and are being used in many newer large machines to control them.
They are easy to program. It could control the solenoid valve for the crosscut saw count to 3secs to allow the wood to drop before the ram advances. If the wood jammed you could hit a stop button and the saws would retract to the HOME postion. That means start over when commanded.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5PlDdItmo

I found this vid for an elevator which is very similiar to your cutting cycle.
I spent 2 years at night school writing programs for machines like the demo.

Craig Clayton

When you buy PLC make sure it comes with the programing software and has the input and outputs you need (in example relays). The software cost often several time more than the PLC. I used LG but there are many PLCs for less than 200 USD.

 

[rjmack]

I've always been impressed by this operation:

Bobcat Log Splitter - YouTube

i found one of those processors for $30 grand, 3 years old... used.

isnt' that pretty dear?

30k used must be $40-$50k new?

that's a lot of money for 1000# of steel.

edit: oops, should be 2000 lbs of steel...

 

[namesray]

i found one of those processors for $30 grand, 3 years old... used.

isnt' that pretty dear?

30k used must be $40-$50k new?

that's a lot of money for 1000# of steel.

one of those skid steer processors cost that much!!!!:confused2: how much does a trailer version cost? i thought the trailer versions were as low as $20,000. and there is a lot more on a trailer version. own engine, platform, just seems like $30k-$50k is way too much for an attachment. you are already supplying the power source (skid steer) and there is less materials to make the skid steer attachment as compared to the trailer version. i believe you that it could cost $40k-$50k new but that is OUTRAGEOUS! however if i had the machine to power it and could find one for a sensible price, the skid steer version is the one i would buy. i believe it is the easiest to use and a little less hassle.

 

[mroldstyle]

you might also want to check out "forestryforum.com" theres alot of processor builds on that site. Have fun!

 

[Tor Arne]

Hey thanks for the many good suggestions so far.
Has been started on the frame and found most of the steel I need after standing 3-4 hours shoveling snow, has about 15 "of the white c#@% lying on the ground. I have also found a chip blower for the project. More pictures coming soon

 

[Tor Arne]

Ok, have begun welding the frame but it's been slow progress since I had to get my dad to the hospital in a hurry.
He began to cough up blood and get a few shades bluer. Fortunately, it looks like he is out of danger now.:thumbsup: But back to the firewood processor, here are some pictures of the frame. Also sends a picture of the old firewood processor I replacing