Rethink required, billet bundles are too heavy

[difflock]

I reckon, with a correctly set up feeder rack allowing sawing to length at waist height, that I can reasonably mechanise the rest.

I think I got the plan/set-up and mechanics sorted out in my head.

Including a v simple wire-rope tipped (using the splitter ram stroke) bundler frame.

And a simple 6 toed "buckrake" type frame will lift up to 5 billet bundles at a time, 3 on the bottom 2 on top (& I got the scrap 76mm tubing to make the toes too) either mounted on link arms or mount to the forklift for higher stacking.

All is "sorted" except the log rack layout, which can get complicated with chains and hyd powered feeder rollers.

cheers

M

[Ashes_Firewood]

Sounds like a lot of complicating things for the sake of it going on Amount of time spent thinking and fabricating things could have been spent processing a lot of wood!

[rowan lee]

I reckon, with a correctly set up feeder rack allowing sawing to length at waist height, that I can reasonably mechanise the rest.

I think I got the plan/set-up and mechanics sorted out in my head.

Including a v simple wire-rope tipped (using the splitter ram stroke) bundler frame.

And a simple 6 toed "buckrake" type frame will lift up to 5 billet bundles at a time, 3 on the bottom 2 on top (& I got the scrap 76mm tubing to make the toes too) either mounted on link arms or mount to the forklift for higher stacking.

All is "sorted" except the log rack layout, which can get complicated with chains and hyd powered feeder rollers.

cheers

M

 

excuse the terrible microsoft paint effort - but could you somehow eliminate the complex chain/hydraulic system on your table rack and take advantage of the winch mechanism on the splitter. In this diagram the layout of the pulley guides would have to be ergonomically positioned as to allow the easy placing of round timber lengths up onto the roller deck.

[difflock]

Sounds like a lot of complicating things for the sake of it going on Amount of time spent thinking and fabricating things could have been spent processing a lot of wood!

 

Ashes:blushing::blushing:

You are absolutly correct:thumbup:

But I am the animal I am, and have learned to live with myself and my undoubted shortcomings:lol:

Taken me a good 35 of my 55 years to appreciate this btw:001_tt2:.

Cheers

Marcus

But seriously, bytimes when my back is creaking bad and I cannot sensibally physically work, thinking is the only thing I can do.

 

PS

Rowan, had that possibility sussed, an awful lot of "tooing-an-froing" for 5m lengths.

Now for full tree lengths, as in "up the Moss" , perhaps.

Edited September 26, 2014 by difflock

[CallumA]

This is what i use to save my back when sawing up the big logs. For the small logs i get my son to give me a hand to load the sawhorse and it's amazing how quickly you can get a fair heap of logs. I quite liked Rowans idea with the use of the Krpans winch to pull the logs to a sizing jig beside the splitter. the only problem i could see with that is unless you stack the logs first and then split them once you have a stock pile. you would have your saw ticking over a lot or have a lot of starting of the saw if you split them as you cut them! hope that makes sense.

[rowan lee]

Like that grapple idea Callum. Both for lifting/moving larger timber, plus an adjustable gripper for blocking down with (like an enlarged hydraulic version of a croc jaws saw horse).

 

I will one day make a smaller version of your saw rack. Love that as mentioned in a previous thread. I would use it for processing seasoned billets, which could then be tipped straight into a trailer for delivery.

[rowan lee]

Rowan, had that possibility sussed, an awful lot of "tooing-an-froing" for 5m lengths.

Now for full tree lengths, as in "up the Moss" , perhaps.

 

Thought you might have mate in an ideal world...haha.

[difflock]

Callum, is that a home made linkage mounted mini-forklift grapple arrangment, a very tidy job, especially if it is.

Rowan, I started my log-rack musings with attempting to figger out how to use my splitter mounted 1.0t winch to "power" the rack, since I already use the winch to pull the logs end on from the nearby stockpile.

But I would need to re-fasten the winch rope to the log after each cut, unless I use the winch to pull a sliding buttplate down the rack, but then how do I get the sliding plate back.

So it really requires hyd powered toothed feed rollers

cheers

m

[Logan]

Hi guys,

I am with you on this. Must continually strive to reduce the load each year, both for the body and mind. I like the quality that the billet system gives, and for me there is also the low infrastructure costs in a rented yardspace. It is horrible hard work indeed. A lot of our hardwood is bent and knotted and hardly suited to a graded billet, really does look easier to cut short and split in processor. But I reckon that to improve on the 3-400 tonnes I am currently splitting, would cost a lot to achieve- the machines, storage method, prob need a yard with more breeze. Up til this year have been stacking billets on bearers (just) off the mud in 20-30m long rows about 3m high. This year trying out the bundle method, bought strapping for 500 1m3 bundles, so far done about 300. Stacks 4 high but stacks end up leaning against each other. Will persevere with this idea for a while, not sure it's quicker but is less strenuous. Have got 300tonnes more to split this season so, need to get finger out. This system suits 2 people really, on my own is too slow! Did prob 150 bundles on my own by splitting into large heap for couple days, then going through bundling. This part seems like a waste of time.

If the bundle idea doesn't work out shall probably end up stacking up using the 360 and grab, but want to get away from loose rows- want to put saw under a sheet of tin and have a "sawing station" and bring bundles to it once a week or whatever. Billets stacked high with grab (loose) don't seem to travel well, not that I can see.

For sawing I currently place cords over bearers working all around the 360, and if I'm lucky someone follows round sawing using forest tape measure (slow but not wasteful) or more usually i switch off and wander round cutting. Apart from the larger stems, most logs are far from waist level so is a backache job. Apart from a processor head or a frame that i can drop log in which has a end gate to push log quickly to correct position and a saw that cuts off the 1.1m. I guess i should make one from a chainsaw bar and motor off a firewood processor...

Decks to raise logs to waist height, would you saw a few then split a few, or somehow stockpile them for splitting later?

By the way, the strap on the bundles works out at something like 45p a cubic m, and no pallets, just the same muddy bearers that get topped up each yeah, so some cost there too.

Haaa, yes, what a system! Cheers, John.

[renewablejohn]

Logan

 

I use IBC containers instead of messing about with bundles just stand the billets upright in the IBC container then using my forklift with rotator I can bring IBC to sawbench rotate through 90 degree and raise to height as a logging rack. IBC stacked upto 4 high with one of woodworks designer IBC pointed roof covers.