new processer

[windfall]

Hi mate, im thinking of getting a ks50. Never had a processor before but we do do around 200+ cord a winter. I know that sounds crazy but i feel the investment should be getting the wood first - processing second. its alot of Oak too from clearfell sites so its big short lumps and small twisted suff.

 

anyway im off the point. Id like to know more about it, pros and cons etc. And if there are any other makes that you feel are upto the job?

 

Another thought is chain or circular saw? seems to me the circular saw cuts faster with less waste but is far more difficult to maintain, is this right?

 

From what i can gather the likes of Dunn, Japa, Hakki Pilke seem to be the lower end. Palax in the middle and Pocsh the upper end. THis maybe off in the opinion of others? Would you agree?

 

Just looking for a second opinion on these machines really....

 

cheers

 

 

Looking for the same views... anyone got any tips for those of us just thinking about taking the first big step?

[Chris Sheppard]

Looking for the same views... anyone got any tips for those of us just thinking about taking the first big step?

 

Yes, think long and hard about the sort of timber you'll be typically handling and may also be handling in the future and work to that rather than budget specifically.

 

Also, if you're still in the process of taking the big step, don't get too fixated on processors - yes, they are great on the right stuff but I know some people who do hundreds of cube a year with only minimal kit (big splitter and sawbench) and do very well out of it.

 

Also, a processor needs something to load it with, whether it be by hand (in which case you'll be dealing with short lengths or thin poles) or with a deck of some sort which will need loading by mechanised means.

[gensetsteve]

My splitter is like an old friend the processor is something that sits in the corner broken and get swore at alot. or at least it feels that way. Cord wood is getting so large now u need a forklift and log deck to go with it.

[windfall]

My splitter is like an old friend the processor is something that sits in the corner broken and get swore at alot. or at least it feels that way. Cord wood is getting so large now u need a forklift and log deck to go with it.

 

Can i ask what machine you have and what have you found to be the most common break downs for your processor?

 

I have a good splitter at the moment and its occurred to me that i can get two long pipes made up so i can position it inside my field shelter so i am out of the wind and rain. My neighbour also has a good sized saw bench that he is willing to a do a deal on. IE firewood for next winter. I am just a bit scared of the saw bench, it was made well before health and safety so i would need to make some serious modifications to it to get it safe and easy to use.

 

At the moment i am enjoying being debt free and any cash i earn goes into a cognac glass in the kitchen cupboard! Obviously if i spree £10k on a 4x4 delivery vehicle with hiab and tipper and £6 or £7k on a processor it will mean i will have at least a £10k loan which will probably be around £300 a month.

 

So machinery wise i have a couple of routes to go down.

 

With regards to the wood i am getting is not all straight or all under 10 inch, some is trunks cut into manageable/liftable bits, some is 4 foot 10inch sections, some is 3 foot 15inch sections.... basically all my timber is coming from a tree surgeon who is hand loading a tipper or tipping trailer at the clients property as a result all the wood i am getting can be lifted manually by one or two people even if only for a short distance.

 

Wood types i have been getting recently are softwood - macrocarpa seems quite abundant locally, Ash, Sycamore, Beech, Larch & Eucalyptus. Local forests are Pine mainly. This timber dries quickly and burns very fast, mainly its good for kindling / getting your fire hot for burning hardwoods.

 

I am thinking about/researching buying timber in from our local forestry department, but its not cheap so margins would be considerably lower. Also my mate runs a haulage firm and has an arctic lumber type trailer so its not unfeasible for me to import cord wood from a supplier in the northwest and bring it over to the isle of man on the freight ferry.

 

thanks

[Guest BOB WAUGH]

I am using a Hakkie Pilkie 1 x 42 with log deck. Bought it 3 years ago from M Large in Belfast. To be honest when i bought it i had not a clue about firewood production i am not even in the business of tree surgery. The machine landed and i didnt have a notion where to get wood. Well 3 years on and what a steep learning curve:confused1: Apart from the obvious problem of having nothing to cut i had no way of delivering the end product ,no way of filling the log bench and no tractor to run the machine:thumbdown:. I eventually got going about a month later and have never looked back. My advice to you is if your going to buy a processer then look at the big picture not just the machine, and forget about being debt free :lol:cause its the last time you will be for a few years

[windfall]

I am using a Hakkie Pilkie 1 x 42 with log deck. Bought it 3 years ago from M Large in Belfast. To be honest when i bought it i had not a clue about firewood production i am not even in the business of tree surgery. The machine landed and i didnt have a notion where to get wood. Well 3 years on and what a steep learning curve:confused1: Apart from the obvious problem of having nothing to cut i had no way of delivering the end product ,no way of filling the log bench and no tractor to run the machine:thumbdown:. I eventually got going about a month later and have never looked back. My advice to you is if your going to buy a processer then look at the big picture not just the machine, and forget about being debt free cause its the last time you will be for a few years

 

Hi Bob, thanks for sharing your experience. What was your solution for cord supply and delivery to user?

 

I understand what you mean about the bigger picture, it is something that my wife and I have been doing a lot of over the last year.

 

Did you have problems gathering all of your equipment within budget? At the moment i am looking for a front loader for my tractor or a tractor with loader or a skid steer oh and a large hydraulic pack the list seems endless. It also does seem that without getting a loan my pockets are not going to be deep enough for what i want...

[Guest BOB WAUGH]

I buy all my timber in from the forestry at a set price. I tried cutting my own but with out much joy. Least this way i have a set cost and no where i stand cost wise. Set your self a price that you need to make a decent realistic profit and never go below it even for bulk lots. Also beware of other people that sell fire wood ringing for bulk loads at keen prices cause you will bust your balls to fill there orders for very little profit if any and miss your good customers.

I think the skid steer is a good bet to start of with . With a set of pallet toes and a bucket there isnt much you cant do. i tried a tractor and loader but it was very slow and awkward.

[Blaisey]

I would agree about the skid steer. I brought a wood splitter for mine this year £480.00. I haven't got round to making a feed table yet when I have done the splitter will only be connected to the Boxer by the hydraulic pipes . The machine could easily run a couple as it is only on tick over running one.

 

I have decided to sell fire wood again after a 8 year break concentrating on other things.

[Skye Wood]

I'm in a similar position in that I need a whole bunch of new kit and am in a quandary about what to choose.

 

I currently run an ancient Palax Combi II...it has good points and bad. The saw I love. When I firt started I thought chain would be the way to go but am now totally convinced by the circular blade (cutting straightish larch and SS/NS) However, anything much less than straight is a bit of a pain. The splitter lacks power at 5.6t. The Honda powering it drinks fuel and is under-powered. Putting the transport wheels on is a royal pain. It eats belts. Having to lift each length onto the machine is hard work and reduces productivity. There seems to be no ryhme or reason to how the logs fall into the splitting chamber...a very high percentage fall crosswise and then jam the splitter if you're not quick with the lid. I do however like the fact I can drop big rings into the chamber. I guess much of this machines problems come with age but would be interested in others experiences.

 

So, what criteria does this lead me to?

 

Circular saw, min 700mm TCT

Min 10t splitting force

Ability to split larger rings

PTO driven

Self loading/log deck

Conveyor is a must-have

Hydraulic drive rather than belt

 

What is on your must have list??

[gensetsteve]

Can i ask what machine you have and what have you found to be the most common break downs for your processor?

 

I have a good splitter at the moment and its occurred to me that i can get two long pipes made up so i can position it inside my field shelter so i am out of the wind and rain. My neighbour also has a good sized saw bench that he is willing to a do a deal on. IE firewood for next winter. I am just a bit scared of the saw bench, it was made well before health and safety so i would need to make some serious modifications to it to get it safe and easy to use.

 

At the moment i am enjoying being debt free and any cash i earn goes into a cognac glass in the kitchen cupboard! Obviously if i spree £10k on a 4x4 delivery vehicle with hiab and tipper and £6 or £7k on a processor it will mean i will have at least a £10k loan which will probably be around £300 a month.

 

So machinery wise i have a couple of routes to go down.

 

With regards to the wood i am getting is not all straight or all under 10 inch, some is trunks cut into manageable/liftable bits, some is 4 foot 10inch sections, some is 3 foot 15inch sections.... basically all my timber is coming from a tree surgeon who is hand loading a tipper or tipping trailer at the clients property as a result all the wood i am getting can be lifted manually by one or two people even if only for a short distance.

 

Wood types i have been getting recently are softwood - macrocarpa seems quite abundant locally, Ash, Sycamore, Beech, Larch & Eucalyptus. Local forests are Pine mainly. This timber dries quickly and burns very fast, mainly its good for kindling / getting your fire hot for burning hardwoods.

 

I am thinking about/researching buying timber in from our local forestry department, but its not cheap so margins would be considerably lower. Also my mate runs a haulage firm and has an arctic lumber type trailer so its not unfeasible for me to import cord wood from a supplier in the northwest and bring it over to the isle of man on the freight ferry.

 

thanks

 

Mine is a hakki pilki 2x rated to 12" but we found anything over 10" is easier with the vertical splitter. Major things rarely break its more minor adjustments and sharpening. The machine froze last winter and ripped the idle gear through th middle of the chassis took 14 hrs to repair other wise its belts bearings bushes roll pins all 20 minutes stuff but regular.

 

My wish list for the next machine would be

 

Under 10 k with vat

370mm + capacity

7 tonne splitter is enough if it gets stuck more effort to unjam 10t

In feed conveyor and out feed essential

Not bothered about belt drive at least cheap to replace

Good spares back up

log deck max 2 k ,without one you only have half a machine

 

The only machine I can see fits the bill would be hakki 1x37