Clada

I have a 1X37 standard version purchased as ex-demo in 2010. It is a good machine. It can be piped for a log rack etc... There is the more expensive Easy version with extra hydraulic controls for cutting and adjusting the splitter blade height. I was recently re-evaluating upgrading to something like a Palax 100s but I figure the extra investment would not increase productivity except for solving cutting the last log problem. I have adjusted the splitting ram to travel approximately 1/3rd of the way to the splitting blade, so the first log gets split after the third log drops into the splitting chamber. Most blockages are cleared with a log pick without opening the spliiting chamber cover by accessing the chamber from behind the splitter wedge. I also have a 2011 Bilke S3 for handling the smaller diameter stuff but the 1x37 does most of the work!

Finance is definitely a problem for you. What does it cost to apply for a driving license in the UK? I get the impression that you live in a remote village and that your previous employer also possibly lived nearby so transport was not a problem for work before you were made redundant. You have a tractor driving license? Is there a tractor that you could borrow or rent nearby to get you and your chainsaws to a site within an hours drive? Perhaps an electric bicycle with a little trailer might also work for you. In the UK electric bicycle use is allowed without a license with a max speed of 15.5mph Electric bicycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia You need to start somewhere as not being mobile is restricing your ability to find work.

At that price PM me! I got one from Large' this year to complement my HP1X37. I'll cut you a deal!

You won't get one for £1K even in the nettles! Keep an eye out here for one: Used Machinery & Equipment | Used Tractors | Used Trailers | Used Trucks - Mascus UK

Reduce the ram travel to half or one-third of it's full travel, depending on the length of you cut logs. The ram will feed and return at normal speed but the distance travelled will be shorter and after 2 to 3 cutting cycles your first cut log will be pushed through the splitter by the ram and the other cut logs in the splitting chamber.

Brewpup, maybe you could have a go at measuring it yourself using this manual. It seems that you can even calculate the conversion factor. Stack Measurement: http://www.coford.ie/media/coford/content/publications/projectreports/TimberMeasurementManual.pdf See Chapter 5, page 32 (or 38 )

Tajfun is a Slovenian company. The RCA 320-2 looks mechanically a lot like a Hakki-Pilke 2x32. Tajfun / Products / Firewood processors / Pro

I think that it was the reference to Campbell that did it! A Bitter anyone?

Rojek's Irish agent R&S Biomass Equipment are quoting a relatively competitive price for the DH10 SP twin bag petrol version.

There seems to be another Czech company called Rojek producing a very similar line of what they call "Wood Crushers". Wood crusher They seem to be a rather specialised producer of woodworking machinery as well. It would be interesting to see what their prices are.

I think the Bilke [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJN7o-Vi01s]Bilke[/ame] from M Large in Antrim will do the same job but can also handle larger diameter fresh timber and it seems more robust. ...But beware of splinters in the processed firewood!

Here is a link to an article about firewood on the COFORD.IE - Home website: "Firewood from hardwood has a higher heating value per m3 than softwood, due to higher density, but on a dry weight-for-weight basis softwood is just as good a fuel. More cubic metres of softwood is needed to achieve the same energy output as hardwood, so the price (per cubic metre) for softwood firewood should be lower than that of hardwood." There is also a lot more reference material here: Home : Wood Energy

I am not going to get into a line by line reply to your post which attempts to misinterpret what I've actually said.

There are lots of threads on here discussing issues relating to volume/weight of firewood. I wonder can you substantiate your statement? My point is that softwood has a 1-2% higher energy component, resulting from resins, than hardwood has when compared scientifically.

Hardwoods are denser than softwoods but when compared by weight at the same moisture level softwoods have a 1-2% higher energy content because they also contain resin. The case for hardwoods being a superior firewood should probably be debunked especially when using a stove or furnace.