wanting chain feeds speeds for log deck and saw set up designs

[Randy88]

I'm back working on my saw setup, have most of it done but the hydraulics to run the log deck and also the saw bar configuration.   

Was wanting to know if anyone can help me out with the sprocket sizing and feed speeds for a log deck, I'm planning on running a 160ish rpm motor for the log deck and in feed roller and would like to know what feed rates everyone likes for the log deck?

The next question is how large of cylinder do you guys use for the saw bar and does anyone have photo's of their setup and how they built it.   

Another question I have is can you use a .080 pitch drive sprocket for .063 chain.    The reason I'm asking is because I currently have a three foot bar off one of my saws that's .063 404 and plenty of chain and I want to eventually run .080 404 harvester chain eventually, but when I'm putting this thing together, I'd like to use what I have or do I need to buy a drive sprocket for each size?    Thanks in advance for any help.   

[blackfoot griz]

Randy,
I don't recall your design. When you say log deck, are you building a live deck then a trough to feed the log to the saw? IMO, a live deck should not be too fast as one log at a time is generally preferred!  I used the same hydro motors for both my live deck and log trough and #80 roller chain throughout but don't recall what I used. I also had a few different sprockets on hand to play with the final drive ratios. My log trough is really a bit too fast, but, it is easy to feather the control when advancing the log to the log stop.

I think I used a 2-1/2 cylinder on my saw and that is probably an overkill. I would highly recommend a pilot-operated flow control to be able to adjust the saw cylinder extension speed. If I recall correctly, you are going to be cutting some big logs and being able to control the saw extension speed will be handy. I found this out the hard way.

I hope others can verify, but, I think you will have to match chain & sprockets. I am amazed how long a chain lasts on a processor versus a chain saw.

Do you have any pics of your project?

[Randy88]

Blackfoot griz, I've changed my design several times, after some discussion we've mounted it on a wheeled frame, but did something different, we are using a feed mill frame to get my reduction speed to run hydraulic pumps via a tractor PTO.   

I have the frame work pretty well done, instead of using a trough conveyor to advance the log to the saw, we're using powered feed rollers instead with a hold down powered feed roll clamp.    We're adding a longer fold up conveyor also with rollers on it, to get a shorter transport width, I cross mounted the whole setup for a much shorter and narrower storage width in my shed, the whole thing is less than ten feet long and nine feet wide.     

As for now we're going to load one log at a time, since we can cut logs up to and above 4 feet in diameter and are somewhat concerned about the strength of the main frame.   

Right now we're working on the roller conveyor speeds that feed the log to the saw, we've been thinking about 60-70 feet per minute, not sure what others are, I've never calculated any others before.     

As for a needle valve, we're going with both a needle valve and also a pressure reducing valve so I can set a pressure on the bar cylinder to not exceed 100 lbs of down force so hopefully I won't break the bar or mounts at all and will help with the task of feathering the control valve handle as I cut. 

I've done some calculating and we're going to run off a tractor PTO, which I have many to choose from to hook up to the processor, and that way with my belt reduction unit I've incorporated, I can run the tractor at about 1200 engine rpm to get my needed 2200 pump rpm's to run my two gear pumps.   

I have a oil cooler off an old trencher, and like another machine I've redone, I can hook up a car radiator fan to cool the oil in the oil cooler, sure works great on my other machine I've rebuilt with the same unit on it.     

I'm going to use your fuel pump idea to oil the bar and chain, my oil reservoir is going to be part of the main frame tubes, so if I want I can have up to three gallons of chain oil.   

One thing different we're doing, we're mounting the seat and controls above and behind the log deck so I'm looking down on everything as I sit and run it, it was kind of a want, but also how it worked out to fit everything in.   I wanted a cab with heat, which may come but for now it can wait.       

As of yet no I don't have photo's taken, the whole thing is up on blocks in my shop and the log feed roll conveyor is being held up with my crane as I'm trying to weld it onto the frame. 

We're got a long way to go, but at least its in the shop in the assembly phase, and my wood pile getting low and now I have motivated help, they really don't want to use chainsaws to cut the whole log pile up, so we'll see how it goes in the next month of so.     

[Gearbox]

Just FYI a winch on a 4 wheeler runs 30 ft per min . 60 70 FPM sounds fast to me . I was thinking more like 30 ft . that would be about 1.5 seconds to move 18 inches . 24 inches a second is fast .