Firewood chopsaw- for the small user

[DMcCoy]

As much as I would like a processor I could never justify owning one.  I cut just for myself.  I burn between 5-10 cords a year.  Cutting firewood gets less exciting the older I get.

I was given a section of lumber yard roller conveyor, had an old trailer, an extra chain saw, and a 12' electric belt conveyor.

This helps with the nuisance wood 4-12" in diameter.  I can load the log deck with the tractor forks.  Roll them onto the conveyor by hand and advance them to the saw by hand.


 


 
The counterbalance is a paint bucket filled with gravel, 3 pulleys and some 1/8" cable.  Hanging chain determines length -12-24".
This assembly must be removed and the saw lifted and tilted over to fill the gas and oil - a simple process.


 

Belt conveyor takes takes the rounds to a pile that later gets split (hydraulic) then back onto the conveyor into a pile to dry.

[ckhenshaw4]

Your setup is like I would like to do.  I am getting TOO old to continue cutting on the ground, but too poor to purchase a "real" processor. I am looking for a "free" conveyor that I can get to make something like you have. Nice work. Would you happen to have any close-ups of the bracket you made for your saw ? 

;D

[DMcCoy]

I can get you a couple of pics.  I made a plate with holes, same as where the guard would fit - very secure.  Damaged some internal clutch parts of the saw from heat because the plate had bur/ridge that pinched the blade (chain) to tight. All better now.

[Philbert]

Interesting set up!

Add some 90° nipples to the oil and fuel tank so that you can fill in place?

Philbert

[DMcCoy]

Here are a couple of more pics.   
Plate for connecting saw to frame.  Standard 4"door hinge.  Welding not so good - low gas pressure  >:(


 
Because it tilts for refueling I had to add an adjustment 'stop' bolt so it will cut square(vertical)


 
Lots of pulleys to get the counterweight to hang free and clear.


 
Philbert - I wondered about making adapters for gas and oil.  Wasn't sure if fuel tank is pressurized or not.

[ckhenshaw4]

Thanks DMcoy,
Great set-up.  I will probably be a "copy cat"
A powered Log Conveyor would be nice also !!!!!!!!!


Thanks again.

[Hilltop366]

Great Ideas for making it easier!

I wonder if you could run separate tanks for your gas and bar oil with some longer fuel and oil lines?

[DMcCoy]

Thanks for the compliments - this forum has been helpful to me it was time to return the favor.

Saddle tanks - I agree.  Does anyone know if the fuel tank on this saw is pressurized? That is the only thing that stopped me from doing that.  It would make construction easier. 

A couple of other details-
1) The saw blade intentionally comes down between two rollers so I didn't need something to hold the log end.  You see a lot of processors with hydraulic holding arms on the log side of the saw but no outboard roller.
2) It needs back fence on the roller conveyor side.  Wood gets pulled against the metal tube that supports the chain for determining the length, but on the roller conveyor side there is no back support.  After a couple of times getting your hand smacked against the conveyor frame....->back to the shop for some modifications.  A guy could make some dogs for either side of the saw to keep small wood from spinning too.

[ckhenshaw4]

Sorry to be a PAIN, but would you happen to have any pics of your pivot point for the saw to go through the logs ?  I see the hinge that lets your saw pivot to the side for re-fueling.
Thanks.

[Hilltop366]

I doubt if the tank is pressurized, I have never seen a pressurize file tank on a chain saw.

The fuel pump is on the carb, I think all you would need to do is remove the existing fuel line and route a new longer one to your larger tank (don't forget to put a fuel filter on the new line). I'm not sure how much pulling power the pump will have so you might have to experiment on how low the tank could go if it ha to be below the saw.

I have made a fuel tank before by using a regular gas can and drilling a hole in the cap, I made the hole smaller than the fuel line so the line fit tightly and formed a good seal. It was the style of gas can with a separate vent so  when using the engine I would loosen vent cap. The best part was that when I needed more fuel I could unscrew the cap and pull the line out and swap in a full tank.

[Philbert]

Most modern chainsaws that I have seen have a vent in the fuel tank.  If you extend the fuel cap opening with a 90° 'L', that would not be a problem.  If you are running off of a separate, external tank, you will have to factor that in.  And, of course, you are dealing with gasoline, so be careful.

Philbert

[DMcCoy]

Here are the pictures you requested.  Big sq tube is mounted to roller conveyor.  Saw frame pivots on 1/2" water pipe inserted into some DOM tubing I had laying around.  All very crude - first ever.

 

Looking toward the hing you wanted to see from the operators position.


 

[Swatson]

I like it...Ive gotten to where I dont cut wood in the woods anymore.  I drag the tree home and work it there.  That thing you made would be perfect for that.

[r.man]

Nice setup, I too would like something to help with wood and that is a nice design you have. I like the flop over for the saw but can certainly see that filler adapters would make the build easier. I am surprised you need a counterbalance. Did you try using weigh at the rear of the saw? Cables, pulleys and I don't get along well.

[Husky562]

Nice setup!

[DMcCoy]

r.man 
I tried it first without a counterbalance and found myself getting a blister on the top of my R thumb from lifting even wearing leather gloves.  The lift wasn't so heavy that a guy couldn't do it but it is worth the the effort to counterbalance it for comfort and ease of use. Having it counterbalanced also let me leave it 'up' so I can use both hands if necessary to fuss with odd shaped logs.  Little details that I didn't foresee until I used it. 
It might be hard to see in the pictures but there is a metal bar facing at an upward angle toward the operators position.  When the saw is raised the saw bar is behind it hopefully preventing an accident. It probably should be covered better - next trip to the shop.

If I had saddle tanks for oil and fuel I think weighting the saw frame would be better - fewer moving parts.   It still needs some modifications.

[Ivan49]

 It looks good but if you would have found the balance point on your saw and made the pivot point just ahead of it the saw would stay up on its own and you should be able to lift it without the cables or blister. But what ever works for you is all that matters

[DMcCoy]

Ivan 49
You are correct that could be done.  It would require @ 90 degree swing on that short of a bar (14").  I have some 24" bars which would be less motion, using your suggested pivot point. I will have to see how much time I have.
Edit: There would be 2 factors or balance points.  One with the saw completely up and the other down.  Pivoting forward of both of these as you suggest would be the spot.  Having saddle tanks would make fabrication easier.

[r.man]

I was actually thinking of a solid weight attached behind the pivot point and behind the saw just to get rid of the cables. Like they do with what turns out to be called " Boom gates". Had trouble finding a picture because I didn't know the name. Here is one. http://england.all.biz/barrier-with-aluminium-boom-g50926

[DMcCoy]

It would be interesting to see what you come up with -> pictures. 
So far I'm finding the thing overall to be really helpful.  The belt conveyor needs redoing to make it adjustable for height at the output end.  At @4' the pile isn't very high.

[birdmandog]

Very nice and simple. I just purchased a couple rollers for the same type of system. We have a old hay elevator for the split wood. Just working on the splitter parts now. Thanks for posting the picks of the chainsaw attachment.  I have been looking for a design I could copy.. Or at least try.. Happy New Year.....

[DMcCoy]

This guys firewood machine is interesting, well worth a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iDiC8UJeCI

What I see with most small processors is the need for a holder on the log end.  I used an outboard roller for underneath support and the metal that supports the cut to length chain holds the outboard backside, similar to the base and fence on a chopsaw.  Because it is supported on both sides of the saw I haven't felt a need for a holder on the log end. 
I think there is room for improvement as this was my first trial.  I plan on a 2x6 or 2x8 on the backside of the roller section.  Also a good attachment for the conveyor.

[r.man]

I like the look of the type of system that cycles the log forward with the splitter. Very simple and it would make processing both faster and easier.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4LNgparQ8o

[DMcCoy]

Now that is a smart design! 
It's hard to see all the little details.  A trough on good rollers would be almost effortless for log advancement.  Some metal fingers to hold the log while the trough retracts.  Tied to the splitter cylinder =less hydraulics, less headaches, less expense. Nice!
Good find!
A splitter, a chain saw, and a conveyor. Hmmmm....

[bandmiller2]

Very clever designs but chainsaws are an expensive high maintenance machine, and a pain in the butt to file in position. What about replacing it with a large electric cutoff saw and carbide tipped blade. Frank C.