Splitter accumulating table

[blueone]

Has anyone made anything like this [see pdf link]. I'm thinking it could hold approximately 8-10 rounds at a time. I feel it would save time, load it up split it all and start again. Think I'll try one from scrap lumber to try. Any suggestion accepted.

 

[GE222]

Sounds like a great idea. Good for keeping a second helper busy. Also maybe, have it on a very slight incline, just enough to help move them, but not promote an avalanche of wood, or pinched fingers.

 

[blueone]

Yea that's what I was thinking and maybe some thing to pull wood if it won't roll. I also have a table on the helper side to catch chunks of big rounds on the first split, so I would use it as a stop. New table would be lower and will stay where I do all my splitting.

 

[beenthere]

I will sometimes use the carry-all on the 3 ph to load up rounds, and then work off that. On the other hand, I don't mind getting the extra back relief when going a few feet to pick up the next round. Being bent over the splitter for round after round like when a second person is bringing the supply, gets to the back muscles.
Need a way on that log chute to handle big rounds.

 

[Wayne_H]

I did make one for my splitter. It needs some tweaking still, but it keeps the split wood off the floor, and I or the helper don't have to bend over to pick it up to either stack it or put it on for another split. Mine you can take off for transportation.

Wayne

 

[blueone]

I scabbed something together this evening and will try it out after the Big Snow this weekend. Here are some pictures of the concept.

 

[blueone]

WOW!!!! Wayne that's quite a setup. Where in Maryland are you? I'm in WV Eastern Panhandle, Falling Waters.

Are you in the Military? If so where, Air Guard in Martinsburg? Father retired from the Motor Pool there

 

[J_J]

I did make one for my splitter. It needs some tweaking still, but it keeps the split wood off the floor, and I or the helper don't have to bend over to pick it up to either stack it or put it on for another split. Mine you can take off for transportation.

Wayne

It looks like you have one of those automatic log splitter valves. How is that working for you.

 

[jimgerken]

I cut and transport all my wood in 7 foot chunks. Doing this makes it easy to use the tractor to do all the lifting (with fork tines on the loader). So they are cut to 7 in the woods, lifted with the tractor, hauled with the tractor or loaded and hauled with a trailer to the "processing area", then cut three times with chainsaw to about 21 inches final length. I have been thinking that it would be IDEAL to bring those 7 footers to a device like you guys are discussing here. I would want the "accumulator table" to allow me to chainsaw the pcs setting in it to final length. So, I'd unload them from the trailer with the loader, and place them on the table, then cut to them to length, then slide them along on the table to the splitter, with no lifting so far in the whole process.
After the splitting, they fall on a concrete slab in front of my old wood storage barn, and I use the loader again, to slide all the pcs into the barn under cover, still no lifting. The wood is not stacked in the barn, just piled (plenty of room). Eventually I go and get it with the loader bucket and dump it next to the burner.
I'd be tempted to put some kind of chaindrive or hydraulic pusher system in the table. The investment in time to automate this seems like time well spent. Kinda like a poor man's processor.

 

[Wayne_H]

It looks like you have one of those automatic log splitter valves. How is that working for you.

The auto valve works great, I was not too sure about it at first, but I am sold on it now. Although as you can see, installing it while not hard, means you need several more hoses.

Somebody asked where I am, we're in Davidsonville area of Maryland, more snow here now than when I was a kid in upstate New York!

Wayne

 

[forester2]

This may be a dumb question, but what's an automatic splitter valve?

 

[J_J]

This may be a dumb question, but what's an automatic splitter valve?

An automatic log splitter valve is this one below. You push both handles forward, and the splitter splits the log and auto returns and then returns to neutral. Once you set the levers, you can get ready for the split log, or get another log ready.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=3176020808502127&item=9-6587&catname=hydraulic

 

[smfcpacfp]

I have a 4 by 4 table top and frame which sits on my eye beam and axle. I built this over 30 years ago.

 

[ovrszd]

An automatic log splitter valve is this one below. You push both handles forward, and the splitter splits the log and auto returns and then returns to neutral. Once you set the levers, you can get ready for the split log, or get another log ready.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=3176020808502127&item=9-6587&catname=hydraulic

Wow, didn't know they made such a thing!!! Where's the Safety Police when ya need 'em.

 

[Wayne_H]

Wow, didn't know they made such a thing!!! Where's the Safety Police when ya need 'em.

That is a good question. I spoke to several manufacturers before I built this, and what they said made sense. Don't put an autocycle valve on a vertical splitter because on those you always end up putting your hand on top of the wood where the wedge hits. On the horizontal splitter you put your hand on the side of the log, and the wedge won't split your hand in half. It made sense to me.

I think the real safety thing on my splitter is that the operator could hurt the helper with the log lift if the helper is too close and it catches them going up or down.

Wayne

 

[jimmysisson]

Wayne I like your setup, esp. the lift as I get older. The main reason for a table I think is at the outfeed end, so the splits don't fall to the ground = more bending. I have a (cruder) lift and outfeed table combined, on the off side from where I stand. I split a lot of big stuff like Wayne showed, so the first split is often bigger than I want to wrestle with to resplit. I try to make the first split so the larger piece lands on the table.
Blueone I think you're on to something, but with the gnarly stuff I cut down the chute you're trying would catch lots of stubs and bark and jam up I think. Maybe if it was wider? Let us know how it works out, cause it's a good idea.
We all want to have a rig more like a processor, and try lots of ways to get there.
Jim

 

[Wayne_H]

Jimmy:

Thanks. I have not had any problems with stuff catching on the table, but I have had to reinforce the table. Some of the large oaks weigh a few hundred pounds or so, and it is just easier to keep them at wedge level than picking them back up from the ground. Also, the stacker does a lot less bending.

Wayne

 

[blueone]

Just an update with some pic but still have not got in the woods with it yet, to much snow and mud. Anyway it gives a better idea of the concept.

 

[OrangeinWis]

Helping my son make wood, my thoughts exactly. How many steps can be eliminated in the handling of the wood before it is burned, including as little manual lifting as possible! This is what I came up with. Pick logs off the pile, 1,2, sometimes 3 at a time, cut off of the forks into 30-40 rounds, drop the forks, and scoop the rounds into the accumulating table. The alum. channel was free (machinery tear-out), hardware and 2x10 decking 20.00, hydraulic log-lift expensive, working with the kid priceless.

 

[Arkaybee]

4thand26:
How about some more pictures and details of those cool-looking
FEL-mounted forks you show in the photo. It appears that they are quick to attach and dismount if they are held on by those pins on top of the bucket. I would like to see it in more detail and with your explanations of how they work.

Did you build them yourself? Thanks for your response.

ARKAYBEE