how to build a firewood processor

[chris 77]

anybody got plans or ideas to build something like this
http://www.chomper.net/page2.html
i love the way this machine operates but i dont have the 12 grand for the smallest one.

[fordy]

..............I kinda gave it the once over ...and... never found any Reference as to HOW many times you have to shut down to Sharpen the Blade(s) on their machine. If you owned one of those you could go into the firewood bizzness......fordy

[Kirk]

I think one would have to be real handy to make one of these at home but boy what a niffty toy. From watching the video it looks like it would take at least 6 or 7 hydraulic rams plus the winch. Then you have to find a shear blade and design the carraige for it. I suppose you could simplify it at the cost of losing the automatic cycle. I think you would have to be in the firewood business to justify the cost. Another thing that comes to mind is the wood they show being proccessed looks like it would be worth more as lumber than firewood, around here it seems like the crooked trees are the one that go into to fire box
Kirk

Ah yes, the chomper. Look into one of these thing a few years ago. From what I was able to find out, the chomper is better than a bag full of twenties, provided you are processing the right wood (small and straight). If you are processing the wrong wood, it is a curse. Biggest problem (even in the right wood) is that the shear head gets screaming hot. Never used one so cant tell you more than that.
Best processor on the market (IMHP) is a Cork King (http://www.cord-master.com/) in Canada. Multiteck (http://www.multitekinc.com/) is considered the industry standard in the USA. Timberwolf and Valley processors (www.timberwolfcorp.com/) also make good equipment.
I have run a simple valley processor that used a 13hp Honda motor and a 066 magnum chainsaw and was quite pleased with the speed of the machine. Big problem was that you were quickly buried in split wood making a conveyor a necessity.
Another design I have researched is made by power split international (http://client.forestindustry.com/powersplit/). There self propelled vertical double and single splitters with conveyors are a really unique design that fill the gap between a simple hydraulic splitter and a firewood processor. If you know a little bit about welding and hydraulics you could probably make one for yourself.

[comfortablynumb]

They have some monster machine near me that eats EVERything. whole trees stumps pallets trees.... the drop it in the top and these massive hammers beat the crap out of it all and it comes out like kindling wood... toooo cooooool. the guy said it would even shred a car if they dropped it in there.

I ask santa for one... didnt get it.

[tobo6]

This is too funny, but following your link I just found out that they are from my little town. Small world!

I'm going to show this to my dh, who will think that is the tool of all tools and much better than his wood splitter behind the tracter!

mljjranch