Firewood Conveyors- Who is giving the most bang for the buck currently?

labradorguy · July 14, 2015, 09:20:21 AM

In the market for a 35' (give or take) firewood conveyor. I wanted something to pile off of a processor and then also be able to turn around and load dump trailers with, as in use a Cat/grapple to pick off of a pile, then drop into a hopper and out to a waiting trailer. I've looked at a couple from large firewood outfits, but they seemed a bit Mickey Mouse for the $$$. Just wondering if something better is out there that I have not come across yet. Thanks!

OH logger · July 14, 2015, 12:22:23 PM

what kind of dump trailer are you going to be loading?

Gary_C · July 14, 2015, 02:06:15 PM

Quote from: labradorguy on July 14, 2015, 09:20:21 AM
Just wondering if something better is out there that I have not come across yet.

Kind of hard to answer when we don't know what you have come across yet.

labradorguy · July 14, 2015, 04:15:44 PM

Mostly loading pull behind dump trailers, 7' to clear give or take.

hedgerow · July 14, 2015, 04:54:02 PM

I have a old gravel conveyor I would have to double check but I think it is forty foot. Has a gas engine running a pump then hyd drive motor and hyd lift for height adjustment. I picked it up on craigs list for a $1,000 and it works great for firewood. I changed sprocket size on the drive to slow it down some.

labradorguy · July 14, 2015, 05:40:58 PM

That sounds like the ticket there! 1000 bucks, can't beat it.

hedgerow · July 14, 2015, 07:29:28 PM

I had found two within towing distance 500 miles or less one was in tulsa OK and the other was in Wichita KS the one in Ks had a aluminum side rails and the belt seem a little better so that was the one I towed home. I have used it for couple of years saves the back. We used to use a old ear corn elevator. It didn't seem to like firewood. We broke the chain a lot and it would get jammed up with wood splitter trash.

OH logger · July 14, 2015, 09:05:08 PM

I seem to have had better luck with bale/ear elevators than most but I have to ask if your Mahindra wont load the dump trailer or hows come your wantin to do it with a conveyor?

labradorguy · July 14, 2015, 09:32:15 PM

It will load it, so will the Cat. I need to conveyor to pile it high under a big pole barn I have. 35' will probably be the minimum to get the best use of the space, 50' would be better but $$$. The tractor or Cat is loading the log deck, it gets split, and then need the conveyor will pile it up right off the splitter. I'm looking at building a tumbler to throw into the circuit too. Store the wood where it's dry, pull off the pile with the Cat, drop it into the hopper, up the conveyor, through the tumbler to get rid of the loosened up bark and debris, then out the chute and into the dump. Too complicated for firewood maybe, but there is a lot of efficiency to be had if I can get everything firing on all eight. I'm open to better thoughts if someone has them. I'm looking at changing my delivery system too. Stacking three cords and then unstacking two of them and dumping the third is for the birds, especially when you are doing it every day. I've really been looking hard at those 1/4 cord bags or figuring out how to load two thrown cords. I have a divider but sometimes it jams up after a dump and it's a PITA to work loose. lol

hedgerow · July 15, 2015, 04:23:22 PM

Do a conveyor search on a craigs list there is one on there in your area.

sam-tip · July 15, 2015, 08:07:37 PM

Yep keep doing daily search on craigslist. I found a Rapat 70' belt conveyor on Craigslist last fall with 12 hp honda. Seed company was getting rid of it. $2000 My biggest problem was with bad gas in the fuel tank. I did slow it down by changing both gear boxes to 2:1 ratio from 1:1. Was rated for 2500 bushels per hour. Now it is a nice and slow.

Then I also found by word of mouth a Kewanee elevator that I put a 1.5 hp electric motor on. $200 It jams if the pieces are just the correct length. But nothing breaks with the electric motor. Tried gas motor but it broke the chain. To much power.

https://youtu.be/oZcq0X3IKtI

https://youtu.be/ePd2ZXnC1Ho

OH logger · July 15, 2015, 09:54:59 PM

cool videos! can you guys come here and make wood like that!? that was neat to watch especially cause it says it was for charity. nice job. and I agree with you on putting the electric motor on the bale elevator and doin away with the gas motor. that's the key

sam-tip · July 16, 2015, 10:04:04 AM

I did price new firewood conveyors but $8k was to much for just a 30 ft conveyor. After using the 70' Rapat the 30 would have been to small. I drove by a tree service that does firewood yesterday and they had a guy on top the pile pushing the splits down because they only used a 30 ft conveyor.

labradorguy · July 16, 2015, 12:25:08 PM

Quote from: hedgerow on July 15, 2015, 04:23:22 PM
Do a conveyor search on a craigs list there is one on there in your area.

I'm not finding it, but I will keep searching for it, maybe I am looking in the wrong area. Thanks

sam-tip · July 16, 2015, 02:17:14 PM

$275 or obo

(craigslist link removed by admin)

hedgerow · July 16, 2015, 07:51:46 PM

Quote from: labradorguy on July 16, 2015, 12:25:08 PM
Quote from: hedgerow on July 15, 2015, 04:23:22 PM
Do a conveyor search on a craigs list there is one on there in your area.

I'm not finding it, but I will keep searching for it, maybe I am looking in the wrong area. Thanks

I just looked there is 40 conveyor on craigs list lake of the Ozarks mo. $2000.00. Just bring up Lake of the Ozarks craigs list and put conveyor in the search several will come up.