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[quik_vw]

Hello everyone,  I am new here and have enjoyed reading the posts.  It seems like the outdoor heaters are the way to go.   I am sure a build is in my future.   I currently heat my home with firewood only,  burning in a fireplace insert, and a free standing stove in basement, both units have secondary burn.  I sold my old log splitter as I was contemplating building a new one.  After studying many of the commercial and homemade units on the net, I have made a note of features I like, to incorporate into my project.  After much consideration, I had decided that a firewood processor would be too complicated and expensive.... well, after watching videos of processors from Blacks Creek, and Bell's Machining, I have committed to building a processor.  This past week-end I welded up the frame with tongue and installed the axle and wheels, so it is now easy to move around.  Split right splitters inspired the splitter end of my design.  I have opted to go with a belt drive for the harvester bar, I like the simplicity of this design, but believe it will prove to be the most troublesome part of my design.  I am not an engineer, but do like to tinker.  Has anyone experimented with belt drive on a saw?  I am thinking 2 belts powered by a 13 HP engine which will also run the hydraulics.  I will post pics as I progress if anyone would like to see them.
Quik

[jackel440]

Welcome to the site!

Sounds like a very ambitious project.I will be following along as you go.I am a millwright by trade,and I love to fabricate and build stuff.Especially when i can build it cheaper than I can buy it.
If you need a sounding board or ideas just holler.
Oh and bring on the pics.We love pictures around here.

Now on this belt drive saw bar.I think it willl work,but it sounds like it will be running non stop the entire time.Unless you plan to use some sort of electric clutch.Make sure you have a good oil feed system to reduce any heat to the bar.
Your bar sprocket would be on a jackshaft with sheeves then belts back to the motor correct?
Cool project.good luck

[quik_vw]

Thanks for the welcome jackel.

I picked up an electric lawnmower clutch on ebay, it will be activated when the saw bar is moved from the "parked" position via a limit switch and relay.  The bar oiler pump will also be triggered the same way.  I have not yet found a suitable pump, I am not sure if a good automotive fuel pump will pump bar oil???  If I can't find an elec pump maybe a mechanical pump of some sort.  You are right on with the jackshaft,  I believe I will need two shafts,  Oregon recommends 8000 feet per min on the chain speed, so getting that from a 3600 rpm drive engine will dictate a ratio of approx 2:1 .  The problem is the clutch is about 5 inches in diameter and I don't think I can transfer 13 HP through a sheave half that size.  To further complicate this drive, the engine shaft isn't long enough to mount the clutch to it, and the lovejoy type coupling for the pump drive.  See how messy this gets in a hurry?   Sounds like we have a lot in common regarding fab work.  I have followed your boiler build with great interest, you do nice work!  I am new to this OWB stuff, but I like the idea of an efficient, clean burn stove.  Keep the pics coming and I will do so as well. 
thanks again..........Quik

[ryan4030]

The home made proccessor that I used to operate had a small hydraulic motor to run the bar. I am not sure how the oil pump operated. If you already have to hook up to a hydraulic pump you could run some more lines and a valve for your bar. I am not sure about any of the pump specs. but it was run off of a small diesel engine from a refrigeration unit on a tractor trailer. All I know is that you could make a huge pile of firewood in no time at all.     Good Luck.

[quik_vw]

Hello ryan4030,
I think a small diesel engine would be awesome for this type of project.  I am working on a shoe string budget so for now I will be powering with a 13 HP from harbor freight ($299)  I know...this unit will not be a huge powerhouse ,  I am hopeful that I can process a cord plus per hour with a good supply of wood.  I am looking to take the work out of firewood as my back is getting tired.  Given due care I think this machine will do what I expect of it.  I will be using a 23 GPM Barnes 2 stage pump, I need to look at the operation sequence in order to keep things moving.  By driving the saw with belts, the hydraulics will be available for other operations while sawing.  The cylinder is 5" by 24" which should give plenty of splitting force, I think I calculated a cycle time of 10 seconds.  I am wondering if I should have stayed with a 4" cylinder for faster cycle times.  This machine will also have a log lifter on it for splitting large rounds, kinda dual purpose processor/splitter.  I will get some pics posted soon, I scored a couple of tanks (future OWB) from a demolition job, some kindling from another, and some large skids for which I can place split wood to keep it off the ground.  I got a call this morning with a tip on some logs cut to 8 foot in length and the guy will load them on my trailer for the taking.....so another task has presented itself   I am close to having my outdoor tasks completed so I can devote much of my time on the processor.

[quik_vw]

I took a couple of pics as I know they show a lot more than words.  I will try to document the project as it progresses. 
The third pic is of a couple of tanks I scored which will be used in an OWB someday...
I started working on the splitter beam and the log trough, I will post pics soon.
Ok, so the first pic is the tanks.......I will get the hang of adding photos with practice

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[jackel440]

Looks good so far.Your frame looks pretty good.Seems to be nice and square from the pics.
I just wonder about the stress on the front cross member though.I think if it was me there would be another cross member to span from the left and right frame rails the springs mount to.under what you have already welded across the front.The 2 short pieces from the outside rails to the tongue will be under torsional stress .A piece spanning the distance would ties both outer rails together and keep them from wanting to perhaps rotate downward due to the wirght in the middle of the trailer.
is that clear as mud or what?
Just hate to see it want to implode after traveling down the road.Relying on the fillet weld and the tube side wall to not want to shear.
Keep up the good work.I have 8 acres of logs that need proccesed.Be a good spot to work out your bugs and break it in

[quik_vw]

jackel440, I have some cross-members to add, when they appear you will see the frame really isn't done.  I was just kinda excited that the project actually got started...lol.  I would really like to come and split those 8 acres, I am sure that would be the ultimate test ground to see if this thing will actually work or not.  I have discovered it's best to complete the engineering and design prior to building, I think that's why they call it proto-type?  I am committed to belt drive, the electric clutch was a good idea however, I don't think a single belt will transmit 13 H.P. with the size pulleys involved.  Therefore I will use a multi-belt drive engaged by means of a mechanical clutching system.  Problem #2, with the  16 tooth sprocket, .404 chain and bar I purchased, and a recommended 8000 ft/min. chain speed, I would have to turn the saw drive shaft at a speed around 7500 rpm which is more than double the rating of typical 1" mounted bearing blocks.  So, I am now thinking that I need to move to a 3/4" chain and bar, with the added pitch length ,  it will allow me to turn the saw shaft at half that speed, and get the chain speed well within its operational requirements.  I hate it when I discover I bought the wrong parts!  Anyone out there been through this before?  What challenges did you run into?  Any and all advise appreciated......quik
 

[quik_vw]

A couple of pics of recent work, splitter beam with main wedge and pusher block on log deck.

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[bruey]

i am impressed as hell, i can get all the free steel i would ever need but where did you come up with the plans to even try to do this?  the problem i would have is most of the logs i cut are 20" or bigger would what you are building handle something that size?  good luck, i think its cool you can do this.

[quik_vw]

Hi bruey,
the plans are in my head, on notes and drawings all over the house, and sometimes I think there is no plan.   Seriously, I have spent hours upon hours watching videos of processors on you-tube, searching out information on the net, a few calculations, and much daydreaming of what I want in the final product.  I have taken a mix from all of my research and incorporated it into my plan.  A year ago, I had never seen a processor, and have yet to see one in person.  My design will handle 24" dia. logs (in theory, yet to be proven).  The infeed conveyor is 15' long so I am guessing a capacity of 20 plus feet long logs.  The big twist in my machine, is the capability to lift larger "rounds" cut to firewood length for splitting.  I have about 5 cord of wood cut to length waiting to be split some of the rounds have to be in excess of 42" in diameter.
I am anxious to get this project to the testing stage, I ordered drive sheaves and bearing blocks today for the saw drive.  Thanks for your interest, and support.  Need a machine to cut larger logs?  A longer saw bar, and more H.P..........no problem...lol
Stay tuned, I am close to posting more pics soon.

[jackel440]

There is nothing like having all the blue prints in your head
That's how they are for my stove.Easier to make an engineering change that way.
What size is that wedge you have on your beam?
Hey I don't know where your getting your parts,but HGR sales has an awesome selection of all kinds of bearings ,machine parts all the time.Might check them out next time you are shopping.
Keep the pics coming

[bikeralan]

I always tell my wife if I can buy it for $500, I can build it myself for $600 lol, good luck, sounds interesting

[quik_vw]

Good point bikeralan!  We always seem to think we can improve the design too.....  it;s great to have a supportive spouse when chasing our ideas.  jackel440, nice blower assembly on the boiler, I look forward to a vid of that baby in operation.  The wedge is 1" thick, 14" tall, 8" deep at the top, and 6" deep at the base, and the edge is milled to a total of 30 degrees making the cutting edge 2" deep.  I am currently working on an adjustable 4 way wedge that sits behind the vertical wedge, and soon an 8 way wedge.  The log deck on top of the beam is 3/4" cold rolled steel.  Thanks for the tip, I will seek out HGR, I ordered some parts from Surplus Center for an 80 percent savings over Grainger prices.
BTW, I have decided to run the saw and chain I have purchased, I can run a 1:1 ratio turning the saw shaft at 3600 RPM giving me a chain speed of 3,860 ft/min which is greater than the 3,000 ft/min minimum.  So the saw won't cut at optimum speed, It will beat bending over a log on the ground holding a manual saw.   I will be mounting the engine and pump next which will allow for layout of the saw itself.
Thanks for the feedback guys, your interest is motivating knowing someone else is interested in my efforts.  Quik
 

[jackel440]

Haven't heard anything on the processor in a while.Are you still out grinding and welding in the shop like me?Hope it is going well for ya.