Firewood processor build thread

[445A]

I think you created a Monster need to call it splittenstein.

Murphy1244: That's funny...may I use it on my log splitter?

 

[kiotiken]

Out of business again A bottle of shielding gas usually lasts me a year, went through a full one last weekend. I got a few last welds in last night, but by the time my battery holder was done, the tank read 0 psi and the flow was down to 15 CFH. I have 3 welds left!!!! I'm going to try and get a refill on my way to work tomorrow, but this will delay me yet again.

So I put the engine and tank back in place (lots of fun, thanks again CDN Farm Boy!) so I could make sure I put the battery where it wouldn't interfere with anything. Once I had it all placed, I looked at the battery leads from the engine for the first time to see how long they were etc. Turns out, they're made for a small utility battery like one for a small lawn tractor. It's not what I was planning to use but after considering replacing the leads or just stripping the wires I figured, what the heck, I'll stick with the little utility battery. I have a 12 V winch that I was eyeing for hauling up the log deck, but I'll leave that for another year since a little battery won't cut it.

So, here's how I spent the 45 minutes I had yesterday. I had an old utility battery sitting waiting to go back for recycling, so I used it for fitting it up.

 

[murphy1244]

Murphy1244: That's funny...may I use it on my log splitter?

If Ken don't you may use it.

 

[aczlan]

So I put the engine and tank back in place (lots of fun, thanks again CDN Farm Boy!) so I could make sure I put the battery where it wouldn't interfere with anything. Once I had it all placed, I looked at the battery leads from the engine for the first time to see how long they were etc. Turns out, they're made for a small utility battery like one for a small lawn tractor. It's not what I was planning to use but after considering replacing the leads or just stripping the wires I figured, what the heck, I'll stick with the little utility battery. I have a 12 V winch that I was eyeing for hauling up the log deck, but I'll leave that for another year since a little battery won't cut it.

A marine terminal (such as: Amazon.com: Schumacher BAF-MT1 Marine Terminal End: Automotive ) would let you use a regular battery without changing the cables.

Aaron Z

 

[kiotiken]

A marine terminal (such as: Amazon.com: Schumacher BAF-MT1 Marine Terminal End: Automotive ) would let you use a regular battery without changing the cables.

Aaron Z

Actually, they're even smaller, about half the size actually, unless you can get different size marine terminals. We use marine terminals for the boats at the cottage and they're significantly larger, especially the positive terminal. At first I couldn't figure out what kind of battery would fit the tiny leads then I remembered the little battery I've procrastinated taking back that was from a lawn mower, and found they fit. The terminals might be 1/4" bolts, very small.

 

[aczlan]

If they are 1/4", you can use a standard clamp on terminal (such as: Amazon.com: ACDelco 3BA35 Professional Battery Cable Terminal: Automotive) and just put the end under one of the clamp bolts.

Aaron Z

 

[kiotiken]

If they are 1/4", you can use a standard clamp on terminal (such as: Amazon.com: ACDelco 3BA35 Professional Battery Cable Terminal: Automotive) and just put the end under one of the clamp bolts.

Aaron Z

aczlan, my problem was going to be that the battery leads weren't long enough and would have needed to be replaced anyway so I could move the battery to the other side and clear the hydraulic filter. So if I was going to do that, I'd put the proper leads on and it wouldn't be an issue, but I got lazy and decided to just go with a smaller battery and the existing leads. It should be fine, lawn mowers use those batteries with no issues and this is about the same size engine or a little smaller.

 

[kiotiken]

So I said I only had 3 welds left, well I found a few more :laughing: I welded on some hose clamps for the hydraulic lines, rebuilt the log clamp holder since I had more steel to work with now and welded some nails across the pusher plate to stop rounds from moving. I also did some other minor stuff not worth mentioning. I now have 1 weld left (I think) and I ran out of wire! Well, I finished a 12.5 lbs spool anyway and I just didn't have it in me to reload, I didn't feel like being out there last night, so I went to bed. I'll finish that weld and start cleaning it all up tonight. Hopefully, I can tape off some parts, get tarps set up around the machine etc and be ready to paint Friday night.

Nails on the pusher plate.


A couple of the hose clamps

 

[aczlan]

Nails on the pusher plate.
View attachment 401208

If that doesnt hold the wood from slipping, I have seen a hole drilled through the plate and a 5/16 bolt with a sharpened tip welded in the hole.

Aaron Z

 

[kiotiken]

If that doesnt hold the wood from slipping, I have seen a hole drilled through the plate and a 5/16 bolt with a sharpened tip welded in the hole.

Aaron Z

I thought about spikes but didn't want to have wood stick to the plate and be dragged back when the cylinder retracts. This is a similar design to my logsplitter although the nails on this one are bigger than the wire they used on it. I also thought about cutting pipe about 1/4" - 1/2" long and welding those around in a pattern. I guess it's something to add to the "we'll see how it goes" list!