I've had a couple false starts, but finally got everything to line up and it's a done deal. The way the economics worked out, I decided to go with the whole enchilada.
Bell's 4000. 66hp Cat/44" Simonds. Extended infeed and extra leg deck for longer logs
The option to go with a cab is still on the table, but as of right now, I just can't justify it..... If anyone has thoughts on it, please share.
Also got a:
32' conveyor with a grizzly
loading hopper for conveyor
tumbler and an outfeed conveyor
20hp Honda to run it all standalone
I'll be eating a lot of spaghetti and day old bread this coming year....
While all of this is getting squared away, I'm working on my delivery trailers and fixing them up a bit. My dump trailer really needs some new sides.
I sure do hope you know how to post pictures!!!!
I don't recall ever posting any, but I promise I will do my best to figure out how it works on here. :)
Congratulations - very impressive machines. I second it - lots of pics!
Labradorguy
Looks like you are going all in. Hope all goes well. Please post lots of pictures.
as far as a cab goes...for me I would like to have one cause I log full time and I mainly process wood when its rain or windy or... but that's just me. now what made you decide to go with bells?? just curious. don't know much about them but always wantin to learn. I heard they are a breakaway company from cord king. is that right?
Just thought they were the most bang for the buck and I liked the joystick controls.
CK looks nice but pretty paint doesn't mean they are the best. Bells is built heavier with better welds and that means a lot to me since this type of equipment is prone to stress fractures and such. Multitek is ridiculously overpriced for what you get and their sales guy is a bit of a tool too. Decided right away that paying 40%+ more was not worth it. I just did not see how they could justify their prices. CRD getting caught cheating at the Shootout and some of the other comments guys on here have made about them eliminated that outfit from consideration. Those were the only ones I checked out.
Don't believe they are a breakaway but I may be wrong. I never asked. May be something to that since they are next to each other. I just figured Bells thought they could build a better machine so got into the market. IDK
Cab would be nice at times, but another 5k on top of this bill is more than I wanted to go. I still like hopping on and off quickly too. I'm the only guy around that rakes and bales hay with an open station tractor too, so take it with a grain of salt.
looks like an awesome machine!! I hope they are at the bunyan show this weekend and i'll have to check them out!!
I looked at the bells today at the bunyan show. they look like a well built, heavy well thought out processor. the owner was there and went over the machine with me and he was very helpful and not pushy at all. seemed very genuine and straight forward. ive always had my eyes on a cord king and if comparing apples to apples I think the bells is ahead...at this point for me anyways. they are all expensive, they all have plusses and minuses so for me it all boils down to value and customer service. they will ALL break but its whoever helps you out the most when they do is what counts. I didn't talk to cord king today but in years past they have seemed so pushy. I like the idea of the cord kings lifetime warranty on the splitting chamber...if the warrenty is worth the paper its wrote on that is. anyone else lookin today??
I've heard that lifetime warranty is a tough one to get anything out of...
I met this good folks a few years back at the Paul Bunyan show, genuinely nice folks, and a very impressive processor as well, they had the cab on the one in the shoot out. It would be very tempting to get this option, could howling days are brutal, it had a heater too!
I decided to go with the cab. It was not high on my list, but eventually, my boys will be running it and I like the added protection for them. I suppose a person would not have to eat so much sawdust on the windy days too....
Quote from: labradorguy on October 08, 2017, 10:55:27 AM
I decided to go with the cab. It was not high on my list, but eventually, my boys will be running it and I like the added protection for them. I suppose a person would not have to eat so much sawdust on the windy days too....
I know that another 5 grand isn't chump change but I think in the long run you will enjoy the cab. As I get older the dust bothers me and any big job any more I use the tractor with the cab AC and heat. I went to skid loaders years ago with heat and AC and the first one was a big hit to make the jump but when I sold that one the new owner was looking for the AC,heat and the enclosed cab and it sold for top dollar because of the cab.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.... 5k now, but I will get some of that back on the other end. They build a solid cab and peace of mind while my boys are running it is worth something too.
Counting the days till she gets here. :)
I eat, sleep, and breathe firewood. I will admit I am obsessed. Bell's will be our next machine when the time is right. We are on our second CRD machine now. Everything on the Bell's machine is very well thought out. I am 28 and would probably go without the cab for the next few years. I like hoping off and on, keeping the machine moving.
I do believe Bell's is a "breakaway competitor" of Cord King. An employee of CK thought they could do it better. I would agree with earlier comments that Bell's are very very professional (and highly educated from the people I've talked to over the years).
Labradorguy :where are you located? Very excited for you! Would love to see other pictures of your operation.
Quote from: shamusturbo on October 08, 2017, 05:11:38 PM
I eat, sleep, and breathe firewood. I will admit I am obsessed. Bell's will be our next machine when the time is right. We are on our second CRD machine now. Everything on the Bell's machine is very well thought out. I am 28 and would probably go without the cab for the next few years. I like hoping off and on, keeping the machine moving.
I do believe Bell's is a "breakaway competitor" of Cord King. An employee of CK thought they could do it better. I would agree with earlier comments that Bell's are very very professional (and highly educated from the people I've talked to over the years).
Labradorguy :where are you located? Very excited for you! Would love to see other pictures of your operation.
I am the same way (obsessed with firewood). as weird as it sounds to say it is basically a hobby of mine. ok enough beating around the bush. here it is...my name is john and I'm a firewood aholic ;D. but in aall honesty I will say that I am VERY impressed with bells machines after lookin at them first hand. that's what I love about the bunyan show. its the only place within driving distance from here that I can look at all the machines first hand and look at therir layouts. the bells seem very beefy. I also took a new approach when talking with the owner of bells. I asked him to tell me what makes his machines better than all the rest. I didn't say that to be pricky but I wanted him to tell me and I think he stepped right up to it and appreciated me bein upfront with him. it was funny and I'm not bragging but when we were about done talkin he asked how many cord per year I do and when I told him he looked surprised and got me 2 hats out of his truck. one for me and one for my son. seems like a stand up guy and stand up company (and no I'm not sayin that because he gave me 2 hats :D)
We bought a 4000 bells this spring. Ordered it with the attached conveyor, circle saw and no cab. I wish we hadn't bothered with the attached conveyor and went with a stand-alone. Just because of the way it tows and it's kind of short for piling.
It is a nice machine for sure. Best part is, I haven't had to sharpen one single chain!
That's the thing right there. I looked at a lot of bar models. No thank you. I sharpen enough chains as it is.
I decided to go with the 32' and hopper so I can tumble and load from a pile independently from the processor.
How much firewood does a person need to do to get a hat?? lol
Not having any cab regrets yet. I think the benefits will outweigh the cost in the long run. Cab or no cab was my toughest decision.
Quote from: 1270d on October 09, 2017, 09:22:24 PM
We bought a 4000 bells this spring. Ordered it with the attached conveyor, circle saw and no cab. I wish we hadn't bothered with the attached conveyor and went with a stand-alone. Just because of the way it tows and it's kind of short for piling.
It is a nice machine for sure. Best part is, I haven't had to sharpen one single chain!
how many FULL cords have you run through it at this point??
3 1/2 weeks out. 8)
Quote from: OH logger on October 11, 2017, 07:14:31 AM
Quote from: 1270d on October 09, 2017, 09:22:24 PM
We bought a 4000 bells this spring. Ordered it with the attached conveyor, circle saw and no cab. I wish we hadn't bothered with the attached conveyor and went with a stand-alone. Just because of the way it tows and it's kind of short for piling.
It is a nice machine for sure. Best part is, I haven't had to sharpen one single chain!
how many FULL cords have you run through it at this point??
Haven't done much with it yet. About 50 full cord so far.
Cabs are a must and over time I doubt you'll regret adding it from the start.
I have come around to agree with that. There is the safety factor to consider. And when you think about being out of the wind, rain, blowing sawdust.... It will be money well spent.
I recently bought a 6000 bells, originally we where going to have one modified and built without a cab, wouldn't want to be around it without the cab. Brent is real decent, I've had some questions and called up and everyone has been great. Watch the proximity switch pieces on the splitter, they loosen up and keep a small screwdriver handy in case you double click the splitter and she stays ran out. I've got the grizzly on the 32" and it gets out quite a bit of bark and fines.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/34634/part0_2.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1508904034)
The Simonds tool is 140 ? And teeth are 8 bucks each, I've heard guys claim ridiculous amounts of time on teeth, I'm running fairly clean wood and changed a few at 275hrs.
I talked to the owner of bells (Brent?) at the bunyan show this fall and he seemed like a great guy. I asked him why his machines were the best. he answered in great detail and was real informative. I am sold on his machines now I just need to come up with the cash... ;D all machines are good and bad. it really all comes down to customer service and it SEEMS like a good company. blockbuster is a great company too but I'm not sure how rugged their machines are?
I know a FF member who has had great service from a larger blockbuster, I wasn't buying another barsaw machine unless it was 3/4 pitch.
Here's the only thing on the entire machine that I hate, I'm more annoyed that I've got to take belting and carriage bolts and drill holes in a new elevator. This is going to happen 2-3x a day, sometimes you can back it out, the conveyor will run in reverse. Lots of fun climbing up the elevator 1/2 full of wood to knock the piece out. Gap is to wide on the end and a thin piece gets in and jams everything up, stalls elevator.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/34634/20171024_123550.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1509591886)
Quote from: BargeMonkey on October 31, 2017, 11:26:42 PM
The Simonds tool is 140 ? And teeth are 8 bucks each, I've heard guys claim ridiculous amounts of time on teeth, I'm running fairly clean wood and changed a few at 275hrs.
So are you saying you like the sharpening tool or just swapping teeth out?
Quote from: BargeMonkey on November 01, 2017, 11:11:39 PM
I know a FF member who has had great service from a larger blockbuster, I wasn't buying another barsaw machine unless it was 3/4 pitch.
Here's the only thing on the entire machine that I hate, I'm more annoyed that I've got to take belting and carriage bolts and drill holes in a new elevator. This is going to happen 2-3x a day, sometimes you can back it out, the conveyor will run in reverse. Lots of fun climbing up the elevator 1/2 full of wood to knock the piece out. Gap is to wide on the end and a thin piece gets in and jams everything up, stalls elevator.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/34634/20171024_123550.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1509591886)
We've got the smaller elevator and one of the cross links broke off from that type of thing happening. Only 50 some hours on it.
I've got close to 5,500 hours on my 14-12 Block Buster. It's just a little guy but it's performed exceptionally well. I'm talking with them about a 14-12 Plus right now :) :) :)
Sounds nice.. I have a 48" circle cord king that I really like, it was a nice upgrade from a bar type much smaller blockbuster.. I have run both with and without a cab even down to -20* up here in AK.. Frankly I prefer to go without a cab.. we have a lot of twisted wood up here so I have to bounce out of the cab and readjust it fairly regularly.. it was nice with the block buster to just step away from the controls and fix the problem... Just one mans opinion..
Quote from: labradorguy on November 03, 2017, 02:05:36 PM
Quote from: BargeMonkey on October 31, 2017, 11:26:42 PM
The Simonds tool is 140 ? And teeth are 8 bucks each, I've heard guys claim ridiculous amounts of time on teeth, I'm running fairly clean wood and changed a few at 275hrs.
So are you saying you like the sharpening tool or just swapping teeth out?
Just swap teeth. My time around a circle saw is limited, kind of new to me on a slasher, had 2 piece on our big mill. Yeah knock the rivet out, slide a tooth in and go. Supposedly I can get new teeth put on these shanks?
Quote from: 1270d on November 04, 2017, 09:10:06 AM
Quote from: BargeMonkey on November 01, 2017, 11:11:39 PM
I know a FF member who has had great service from a larger blockbuster, I wasn't buying another barsaw machine unless it was 3/4 pitch.
Here's the only thing on the entire machine that I hate, I'm more annoyed that I've got to take belting and carriage bolts and drill holes in a new elevator. This is going to happen 2-3x a day, sometimes you can back it out, the conveyor will run in reverse. Lots of fun climbing up the elevator 1/2 full of wood to knock the piece out. Gap is to wide on the end and a thin piece gets in and jams everything up, stalls elevator.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/34634/20171024_123550.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1509591886)
We've got the smaller elevator and one of the cross links broke off from that type of thing happening. Only 50 some hours on it.
Yeah I'm not impressed, did it 3 times the other day on 5 cord. I will say that elevator has guys, in 16-20" wood it's almost down to a crawl with how fast it spits wood out.
It's ready to roll. :)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/38334/IMG_69761.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1510413958)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/38334/IMG_69751.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1510413959)
Like the pictures. ;) ;D
Thanks. It looks pretty solid. Anxious to put it to work. :)
How's the machine treating you so far ??
Sorry for the late reply, I've been keeping busy and haven't been on here in awhile. The machine is solid. So far no issues and I like everything I have seen on it. It is well built and user friendly. I'll post more as I get more time on it.
I bought a Bell 1000 processor (the one shown on their web site) Sent a long time researching. Could not be happier. Also have demoed it to others. ( i love to) Do about 30 bush cords now a year. As to sharpening; very little and not sure why. It stays sharp way longer than a chain saw??? Maybe more oil on the bar. Bought a load of maple in June last year. Logs were real muddy ( won't do that again) Figured I'd be destroying chains but still on original chain with miner touch ups. As far as customer support I still can't believe how well I've been treated.
You will love the 4000. We have had ours for a year now and so glad we upgraded from the 3000 bar saw. We did original get it with out the cab and sent it back 30 hours in and have one put on. If you can't set up with the wind in your favor it will be a miserable day processing without a cab trust me I have been there. We got the 16 foot attached conveyor single chain and did have problems with it at first busting slats off. We figured out the problem and seems to be good now.
Also it is nice not having to sharpen chains too. I have a bunch of videos of it running up on my YouTube channel if you want to check it out.
Sure do hear lots of good feedback on the bells here on the ff. I requested quotes and info from them awhile back, and have 'em on my wish list when it's time to upgrade 8)
Quote from: Tin Horse on February 10, 2018, 02:06:14 PM
I bought a Bell 1000 processor (the one shown on their web site) Sent a long time researching. Could not be happier. Also have demoed it to others. ( i love to) Do about 30 bush cords now a year. As to sharpening; very little and not sure why. It stays sharp way longer than a chain saw??? Maybe more oil on the bar. Bought a load of maple in June last year. Logs were real muddy ( won't do that again) Figured I'd be destroying chains but still on original chain with miner touch ups. As far as customer support I still can't believe how well I've been treated.
TinHorse, do you have time to update your experience with the Bell 1000. I've been looking at one myself.
Working a load of firewood right now. Normally I'm cutting logs off my own property but because of lumber order s and a shop this year I've fallen behind on cutting. So I just had a load of logs delivered 2 days ago. My own logs are cut at about 12' length. They fit the processor well. The purchased load ranges from 16'6" to 19'. A little long for the trough. For now I've just set a lift of pallets at the end and gives enough support. Not the best solution but works. I may also just cut the logs in half. But that increases feed time. I'll build something this year to improve.
It was -15 C yesterday. Sitting about a month and fired right up. I'm still amazed a what it can pull through it. Some of the purchased stuff is pretty rough. This machine is built solid. No complaints.
Let me know if I can help.
Mike.