Firewood processor build thread

kiotiken · Mar 4, 2015

woodchipper said:
Grey primer looks very good! Hopefully you have your keeway issue resolved by now... Wether you have used a center punch or a drift punch... I have used both successfully in the past. Princess Auto is not allways the cheepest price wise, but for quality stuff, your chances are best at afformentioned bearing shops.
Ken, we are all excited to see your endeavours starting to pay off! We are all eyes for it, and ears, if you show us a video!!
Best of luck in the coming days.

Thanks woodchipper. Yes, the keyway issue was resolved a while ago. With the motor installed on the processor, I was able to clamp on to the key with a set of vice grips and gently hammer it out. That was actually before the suggestions of using a punch, I'll know for the next time. No doubt a video is coming soon...

kiotiken · Mar 4, 2015

DOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEE:cool2::dance1::drink:

:cool2:

This picture was taken at 1am last night..., errrr, this morning.

Thanks for the suggestions for breaking the chain, worked like a charm, but the pin was still hard to knock out, a lot harder than I would have guessed anyway.

Proof the rollers are actually black!

The chain is on!

I also added two more trailer jacks to support the weight of the logs sitting on the in-feed rack.

Because we got snow last night, I'm not sure I'll have time to clean it all up and pull the processor out of the garage tonight. With my tractor raising and lowering the processor, I can install the splitting head again and then have the log deck to re-attach. Since it's all right outside the kids bedroom windows, I'd have to get it all done before they go to bed. I'll post video of some of the process since the processor will be running to install the splitting head and then video of the first couple logs this weekend. Thanks to all those who stuck with this very long drawn out thread!

mikefromnh · Mar 4, 2015

:drink:

CDN Farm Boy · Mar 4, 2015

WOO HOO!

kiotiken · Mar 5, 2015

Well, I took it out of the garage after work last night. After giving it a quick test to make sure there were no new leaks and that the roller system and new pusher system works, I tried to take it to the back to set it up beside the wood pile. That's when I dropped it

As I mentioned yesterday, it snowed and I had to clean that up before moving the processor. Since I had the zamboni on the tractor, I had to either put the blower back on (really good ballast) or take the easy route and throw the scraper blade on (which does a nicer job with small amounts of snow). Not thinking about moving the processor afterwards, I chose the blade. So when I went to move the processor, I didn't have nearly enough ballast.

It was a lot worse sitting in the seat than it shows in the video. The snow bank broke the processors fall so it didn't damage the legs and stopped the tractor from going over. The only damage I can tell is the handle of the new jack I installed was destroyed.

kiotiken · Mar 5, 2015

I left my phone in the tractor and it didn't do the best job filming the first test. The vibrations of the processors engine caused the camera's stabilization to make a mess of it. It was also getting pretty close to dark, so it's a little tough to see much.

I'm a little disappointed that the cylinder isn't a lot faster. I was hoping 28 gpm would give me really good cycle times. I don't think the 1/2" ports on the cylinder are big enough to take advantage of the full flow from the pump. Oh well, with a 6 way wedge, it's automatically 3 times faster than my log splitter with a 2 way.

Better video to come this weekend.

CDN Farm Boy · Mar 6, 2015

So are you all prepped to test that puppy out tomorrow? We are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring and it all hinges on you having a successful run so your car can get back in the garage just in time for it to warm up. :laughing:

Fingers crossed for ya buddy!

kiotiken · Mar 6, 2015

CDN Farm Boy said:
So are you all prepped to test that puppy out tomorrow? We are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring and it all hinges on you having a successful run so your car can get back in the garage just in time for it to warm up. :laughing:

Fingers crossed for ya buddy!

LOL, I levelled the processor out using the 6 jacks after work today and set the log deck in place so I'm ready to go tomorrow! Yup, I'm excited to give it a try tomorrow, I'll post a video however it goes!

Wild Bill the 2nd · Mar 6, 2015

Looking forward to seeing it also. No offense but I'm hoping that our build goes a little more smoothly.
You just never know though...

I imagine that I'll have a better idea in a couple months.