To Weld or not to weld, that is the question...

[muddstopper]

I am starting my new processor build soon> I am supposed to have the cylinders next wk. I will be using two 4.5in bore cyl and have 47tons of splitting force. Might bump the pressure up to 3600psi which would give me 57tons if it becomes necessary. I will be using a box slide wedge also. Log capacity will be 27in dia. and a 12 way split. similar to this HALKAISUTERÄ 16 OSAAN, HAKKI-PILKE 42, myynti, ilmoitus 39258644 - Keltainen Pörssi, except it will be in a box slide. I believe by simply raising and lowing the wedge, I can do multiple different number of splits on different dia rounds. If i raise it all the way up, I can do single splits on anything less than 12in dia, Split 12dai in to 4 pieces by centering the wedge on the round. It will take some fignigeling to keep for ending up with a bunch of splinters.

 

[Sodo]

Sodo, I dont know where you came up with your 3500lb numbers for a forklift, or that it might be over kill. The processor he is building will have a 4in bore cylinder and at 3000psi, thats 37,699 lbs of force. Over 10 times what you are estimating.

I was referring to the lift carriage structure on a small forklift, one "rated 3500 lbs". All I know is some preliminary pics so I'm not yet clear where the cylinder mounts or where the forces are. Was only commenting on the slide and its ability to remain straight when the log gets sideways in there.

 

[muddstopper]

Just trying to make sure you are aware of the forces involved with multiple split wedges. While you are correct that the first few inches are the hardest part of the split, I have bogged my splitter half way thru the splits because of knots. Splitting some 30in dia maple just yesterday, wood had a rotten center. That stuff doesnt split, it just wads up in the multisplit wedge. Splitter stayed in the low flow/high pressure side of the pump almost all the way thru the wood. I'm pushing a true 28tons, not some over rated box store number. I just wanted to make sure that no one looks at a ready made structure, made for heavy lifting, and considered it overkill for a multisplit wood splitter. Chances are, it would have to be a very large forklift before I even started thinking overkill. In fact, I wish I could find one of those oversized forklift mast for my processor build, maybe I would finally stop worrying if my current design will hold up. I think for the splitter I have planned, the slider box will have to have longitudal support at the bottom, middle and the top, but I'm talking around 50tons of splitting force, way more than most anybody else would need.

 

[aczlan]

I just wanted to make sure that no one looks at a ready made structure, made for heavy lifting, and considered it overkill for a multisplit wood splitter. Chances are, it would have to be a very large forklift before I even started thinking overkill. In fact, I wish I could find one of those oversized forklift mast for my processor build, maybe I would finally stop worrying if my current design will hold up. I think for the splitter I have planned, the slider box will have to have longitudal support at the bottom, middle and the top, but I'm talking around 50tons of splitting force, way more than most anybody else would need.

We have some 6500# rated forklifts at work with 4 stage masts and the bottom section is C channel that is at least 1/2" thick, probably closer to 3/4" thick.
For a woodsplitter like this, I would go with 3/8" to 1/2" C channel for the wedge rails (so that they are one piece instead of 2 pieces of angle) and back it up with a piece of 2x2 3/8" angle set so that the long edge is toward the middle to keep it from straightening out the side of the C channel.

Aaron Z

 

[muddstopper]

C channel is what I am planning on using. Wrapping the edges with angle and then using home made c clips just for good measure. This is one place I dont plan on skimping on material. If I cant find it used, I'll buy new before I compromise in this area. Just to throw another cog in the mix. At work we have plows on equipment to plow rock into and out of the railroad bed. The plows slide in a box frame. The frame is 1/2in channel with what looks like 1/2 plates welding inside the channel edge. I assume for wear purposes more than the extra strenght. The interesting thing is the actual plow follows the channel on big rollers at the top and bottom only. In other words, the plow isnt supported the full length of the frame. Some of the older plows actually use solid blocks of metal instead of the rollers. The machine that pushes the plow weights around 44,000lbs with 6068 JohnDeere engines. We have ripped the entire plow assembly off those machines a few times, but I cant ever think of a single failure with the box frame.

 

[Scooby074]

This one is 80t with a box wedge. Pretty beefy on the wedge supports.

 

[like2wheel]

I have no plans to ever process firewood, yet I can't stop watching those videos. :shocked:

 

[muddstopper]

Heres you one with high production, Sweet Homemade firewood procesor - YouTube. at the 1:39 mark, you can also see what I was talking about with the chain feed and the top roller. This log is pretty straight and the chain alone didnt want to move it down the conveyor.

 

[Scooby074]

Heres you one with high production, Sweet Homemade firewood procesor - YouTube. at the 1:39 mark, you can also see what I was talking about with the chain feed and the top roller. This log is pretty straight and the chain alone didnt want to move it down the conveyor.

I was trying to find that video to show the wedge thanks! It was in one of my processor playlists but i think it must have got deleted. That operator is as busy as an octopus on meth lol

I think he needs to improve his cleats, thats why its slipping.

 

[kiotiken]

...I wouldnt over complicate the wedge. Otherwise you could end up with something like this one lol .. Must be 20 different wedges or more on it (dont like how its supported either!)

That is the most complicated processor I've seen so far! It just doesn't make any sense to me.