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31

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: June 19, 2017, 07:58:42 AM »

I picked up a push-button starter switch from NAPA on Friday but didn't get a chance to wire it in yet. I ran the machine yesterday; your suggestion to keep the deck back a little to loosen the winch cable once the log is winched up worked great!
Everything worked well and I'm learning to be more efficient with it. I did get hung up on 6 rounds (large ones) or hickory though; it just wouldn't split them. I think an angle grinder on my wedge edges would help a little; they are pretty dull. So far those have been the only things I couldn't split with it.

32

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: June 16, 2017, 07:04:34 AM »

All you need to do is find a hot, run that back to the winch, install your push to close pushbutton then run the wire from that to either the coil itself that activates the winch or to the wire on the existing switch that goes to the coil.

OK, I'll try to figure it out. Do I need to find a special rated switch? If I can get something local I could try to figure it out this weekend maybe; they're talking that it's going to be a washout...

With my rotary valve and control mounted the way it is I can reach the controls from the right side of the machine to back the table off to unhook the cable. Thats also why I chain the shied in place on the PTO, if the shield ever locks up on the shaft then you’ll know something is up and it needs repaired ASAP. A neighbor ended up with a considerable hospital stay when he went to step over a BRAND NEW PTO shaft and the shield locked up.

Yes, I need to put the chains on my shield ASAP. Right now I walk around the entire machine; I hate stepping over a driveshaft even if the shields are chained.

Here is a photo of the block and the slot in the log table, it has like a piece of 3/4” rod across it to hook to:
I added a jack stand, a lot of weight on that side of the machine and I’ve had the big snap ring that holds the jack on fail before.  Just a trailer hitch receiver with holes drilled on 1 1/2” centers then the 2x2 thick wall tube has holes drilled on 2” centers.

Mine has the slot in the table with the rod under it but I didn't get a snatch block with mine. Nice idea on the rigid leg. Where did you put it exactly? Is that the side the log feeds in from?

  Deer you might want to put another cable clamp on you hook end,that is what is recommended in most cases some even more but for what you are doing I think two would be fine. 
                                                                                                  My 2 cents worth

Already done! I took that photo of the winch on Sunday. Monday on my way home from work I grabbed another cable clamp at TSC. I had it on the cable before I used it. I also try to loop the tag end of a cable when I have the second clamp. It was a PITA to do with this size cable but I got it done. The guy I bought it from only had one clamp on it, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

33

Equipment / Re: Has anyone tried one of the spiral cone wood splitters,..??

« on: June 15, 2017, 09:15:29 AM »

I am just replying to this now, and maybe someone else has mentioned it, but I see that you are using the spiral splitter in the end grain of the wood in your photos. As far as I know, and everyone I've tried, the idea is to stick the tip of that cone into the side of the log/round, not the end.

I have a cordwood saw that I use for 8" - 10" max diameter limbs/saplings that I use and sometimes I'd like to split the rounds once. I plan to add a cone splitter to it.

34

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: June 15, 2017, 09:04:07 AM »

Don’t have the table all the way retracted, leave a foot or so, then just back the table off to loosen the cable. I’ve threatened to add a valve on mine to run the winch backwards, but is not needed 99% of the time.

Just thought of something; if another winch switch is mounted near the winch, you'd also have to have an additional switch to actuate the table to loosen the cable in this way or you'd be back to walking around... I wonder if a 2-button remote switch that you could hang on your belt would be better yet? Maybe one function would be to actuate the winch and the other for the table? I have no idea how to accomplish that, but it would be handy to have the remote switch even when hooking up or setting tongs at the log to tighten up some slack....?

Any electrical guys out there that can help?

35

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: June 15, 2017, 08:51:24 AM »

I have one button at the operators station and one at the winch, makes life much easier.
[/quote]
Perfect! Can you explain to a non-EE how to wire that up? I struggle with the electronics part of any project. 

Don’t have the table all the way retracted, leave a foot or so, then just back the table off to loosen the cable. I’ve threatened to add a valve on mine to run the winch backwards, but is not needed 99% of the time.
[/quote]
Doh!  Why didn't I think of this? That's a great idea!

I use a pair of logging tongs on the ones flat to the ground.
[/quote]

Funny, my buddy at work just suggested the same thing! I have a set of tongs as well....

Thanks Marty, you've been a great help to me with this project. I hope you continue to do so; I appreciate it!

36

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: June 15, 2017, 06:32:24 AM »

Nice. Do you have the block with the hook on it that attaches to the log tray? Thats all I’ve ever used and never had a fairlead.

No I do not.  Do you have a photo of it that you could share?

I ran it last night after work for the first time since I made the pump mount and added the fairlead. I ran six 12' to 20' logs through it in 45 minutes. No speed record for sure, but on the plus side I never had to lift anything heavier than the winch cable, I wasn't all sweaty or tired at all! I think I can gain speed with experience and a few more improvements:
1. I want to re-locate the winch button near the winch itself or convert it to a wireless remote. Right now the button is near the operator's location, but this requires that you walk around the machine, play cable out, hook up the log, walk around the machine, actuate the button to winch the log in, walk around the machine, unhook the cable, then walk around again to begin processing. Moving the switch would eliminate two trips per log.
2. I need to find a way to release the winch into free spool easier. Right now once the log is winched up the tension on the cable is so tight I need to use a hammer to knock the release lever into free mode. Maybe lubing the drive lug/hub will help? It would be much faster if it worked the same way my 3-point logging winch operated. Any suggestions here would be appreciated!
3. I need to add a cable hook and/or a spot to keep a Peavey near the winch end. I had a couple of logs I processed last night that I struggled to get the cable under/around.
4. Your cut-to-length mod would definitely help as well. I hope to complete that conversion this summer.

Photo from last night:

37

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: June 13, 2017, 12:49:00 PM »

Worked on the winch. There was no fairlead, just some rebar welded in a loop to "guide" the cable. I bought a fairlead, made a heavy duty bracket and replaced the rusty frayed cable with a brand new one (still on the spool with shrink-wrap on it) that my company bought years ago, decided they didn't need it since they never used it and threw it out....

38

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: May 31, 2017, 08:22:26 AM »

That tubing for the pump mount came from the scrap pile at work! 
My rotary valve looks different from yours, but I think I can add a spring to it like you did.


The electrical control on the lever needs some work as well....

39

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: May 30, 2017, 08:16:45 AM »

I completed my PTO pump mount this weekend and made a bracket for my flow control valve. Just need to get some new hoses made and plumbed in!:

40

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: May 30, 2017, 07:55:20 AM »

Website for the rotary bar valve if you should ever need it:

https://www.webtec.com/products/HDCV_180#ProductTab2

Marty - Does your rotary valve have detents in it? Mine just kind of swivels around with not much resistance and with the electrical control buttons on it in a box it's kind of easy to move inadvertently.
Thanks!

41

Equipment / Re: My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: May 26, 2017, 07:56:43 AM »

I paid $3,000 for mine total and that included a new pump ($500), gage ($13.41), flow control valve ($99.50), fluid, clamps, fittings and filter (another $160). That's what I put into it to get it working after the previous owner delivered it to me. Net payment to him was $2,229.22. I couldn't buy a decent splitter for that.

42

Equipment / My WoodEze processor rebuild/improvements

« on: May 23, 2017, 09:26:30 AM »

I picked up a WoodEze processor this past February. I bought it from a really nice guy in VT. I looked at it last summer and apparently I was the only one who showed interest in it. We worked out a deal and he delivered it to me. Unfortunately, it didn't work! We spent some time fooling around with it, but we had no luck. I gave the guy $100 for fuel and we worked it out that I'd keep it and once I got it to run, I'd pay him the balance less the amount I had to put into it.
We knew the flow control was troublesome, but I wanted to check the pump as well. My nephew works for a company that builds and services buckets, booms, etc. for trucks so I borrowed a flow meter from him and checked the pump; very poor flow. I ordered a new pump, a flow control valve that Marty suggested (Thanks!), replaced the suction and output lines and it worked!
Marty has a thread here with a lot of great ideas/improvements that I plan to incorporate into my machine as well. The first one will be to hard-mount the pump to the unit to the tongue of the machine. The pump, along with it's large cumbersome hoses are a pain to wrestle on and off the tractor. Details to follow.

43

Equipment / Re: Wood Eze Firewood Processor

« on: May 12, 2017, 05:35:28 AM »

Ah! I see....good point!

44

Equipment / Re: Wood Eze Firewood Processor

« on: May 11, 2017, 08:38:47 AM »

Another question Marty (sorry). In your video you are powering your conveyor from the hydraulics on the WoodEze. Can you share how you did that as well please?
Thanks!
Rich

45

Equipment / Re: Wood Eze Firewood Processor

« on: May 10, 2017, 05:54:37 AM »

I checked tonight, by not having the shaft all the way in the rear pillow block I actually have more shaft in the yoke on the processor than the tractor end yoke has.

Great! I ordered the parts from Surplus Center. This weekend is supposed to be a washout so maybe I'll get some time to pull it into the barn and get some work done on it.

I bought a new bar, sprocket and chain for it. The bar on it was most likely the original 404 bar but the sprocket on it was for 3/8" and the chain was 3/8" as well.

I also need to find a place to mount my flow control valve. Where is yours located?

Thanks for the bar valve picture. Mine has the buttons on it but the box itself is completely wrapped up with electrical tape and the handle on the valve is flopping around; I assume it's broken. Pretty sure mine doesn't have any spring on it at all either...