Any homemade log turner ideas?

Tdawg · February 04, 2012, 10:52:23 AM

Hey Guys,
I'm in the planning stage of making my own bandmill. I think I'll purchase a sawframe kit from Linn Lumber and build everything else myself. I'd want to add some basic hydraulics and I'm wondering if anyone has come up with a homemade log turner that works good.

Thanks,
Terry

paul case · February 04, 2012, 12:13:34 PM

Have you looked here?

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,39860.0.html

PC

eastberkshirecustoms · February 04, 2012, 12:43:04 PM

My turner is still in the design stage.

It is a chain turner with lugs welded to the chain. Turners are not a complex unit (except those claw turners-they seem to have some geometry going on). Member GF has some nice photos of his home built unit, probably others as well. See what a search comes up with and build what suits you best.

pineywoods · February 04, 2012, 11:57:24 PM

go here https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,39860.msg573196.html#msg573196

follow all the posts, one of them has some pdf files attached. Autocad drawings with dimensions and pics. I've built 3, they work good...
more pics in my gallery

ladylake · February 05, 2012, 04:21:15 AM

I'd never give up my chain turner a lot like 2 posts above, works great and simple. Use at least 60H chain or heavier, make it as long as will fit in the mill and put the pivot point close to the edge for the small ones. When my replacement chains got too spendy I made my own using 60H instead of 60 which has held up way better than 60, welded some U shaped metal on every 5th link. Steve

bandmiller2 · February 05, 2012, 07:39:40 AM

The three types of log turners chain,pineywoods,and two plain have one thing in common they need hydraulics.Probibly your best bet is the pineywoods turner from the plans listed.My bandmill has a two plain and I'am well pleased,the clamping option is worth alot.the two plain flips cants handily but on the first turn on a round log you need to chalk the log and get anouther bite.For safety and to keep peace with your back you need a turner,its much better to be safely away from the log and let the hydraulics turn it. Frank C.

Tdawg · February 05, 2012, 08:36:12 AM

Thanks everyone. Is there a glitch in the search function? Sometimes I will search a word or phrase and I'll get "sorry no results", then I re-enter the same word or phrase and a "Revise Search (or something like that)" button will pop up, I click on that and then the results show up. In this case I searched "log turner" and I got two results-neither of which were relevant. I dunno, maybe it's just me.

Anyway, I am definitely going with the Pineywoods model-it's simple and effective. I really like the fact that it serves as a turner and a clamp. I have a couple questions, though. I'll be making a trailer model, is there enough ground clearance when the clamp is closed up? I wouldn't want to have the cylinder rods open under the trailer and be exposed to mud, sand, salt, etc.

After the log is turned into a cant and the backstops are retracted, do they stay above the bed a little to act as the back end of the clamp?

Piney, thanks for sharing your design. You probably spent more time helping guys out on the other thread than you did designing and building :D :D :D

pineywoods · February 05, 2012, 03:57:56 PM

Tdawg, there is enough clearance unless your mill is mounted on small wheels. There are some compromises. It won't clamp or roll anything under 6 inches, and it's possible to get a large cant jammed between the backstops and the clamp. . I find the clamp function to be almost as useful as the turner. I don't even know where my woodmizer cam clamp thingy is. ;D FWIW, I didn't just sit down and design this package. It sorta evolved over a couple of years. If you look at the proto-type on my mill, you'll see a lots of Uh-Oh's, extra holes, obvious patches, and re-designs. The backstops fold all the way down. There is a small 1/2 inch high protrusion on the clamp side of each bunk to serve as a fixed backup for cants. Look at any woodmizer.

And yes, I do like KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid.

robnrob2 · February 08, 2012, 09:29:59 AM

.

Magicman · February 08, 2012, 09:39:26 AM

robnrob2 · February 08, 2012, 09:57:31 AM

.

pineywoods · February 08, 2012, 10:27:53 AM

Robnrob, looks a lot like a light duty version of the Pineywoods turner/clamp. I started out with something very similar, just kept tweaking and improving. It indeed does make a very nice clamp. Eventually went to 2X12 cylinder for the lift part, that still wasn't enough, so I added another one . The single cylinder for the clamp function is adequate, but be prepared to beef up the other. What are you using for pump?

robnrob2 · February 08, 2012, 01:38:12 PM

.

Tdawg · February 08, 2012, 11:17:06 PM

Robnrob, don't take this the wrong way because I'm all for ingenuity...but I'm also for safety. I've been a welder/fitter for 30 years building/modifying machinery and heavy equipment. While those little cylinders may be rated for 3600 lbs. I can assure you that the 5/16" or 3/8" bolts and the 1" or 11/2" square tubing (which appear to be stick welded, probably 6011 on a little buzz box??) are not. The joint just before the claw will not last. My suggestion would be to use bigger, stronger material but if you want keep what you have get some flat bar and stitch weld it to the top and bottom of your excavator stick ;D ;D. Swap out the bolts for cold rolled or alloy pins.

york · February 09, 2012, 04:58:22 AM

Rob,as above-your pivot point looks to be about 1/2 in. But way too small-Don`t forget logs are tapered and have lumps,while being turned they tend to move end for end-so at you pivot point it needs to be wider or a a-frame-also more-at the piston end of the upper or claw hyd. cyl. you could incorporate "plumb in" a HYD.accumulator-this would buffer the action of the claw-make it work like a powerful spring-something to think about-albert

Cutting Edge · February 09, 2012, 09:45:49 AM

Rob, were there any issues with using the winches for running the turners? They appeared to work well in your video! May add something similiar to mine, just looking for feedback.

robnrob2 · February 09, 2012, 10:00:26 AM

.

Cutting Edge · February 09, 2012, 10:28:43 AM

Rob, I noticed you sawing pine, and up here I'll be into big-n-heavy oak, poplar, maple...some 36" dbh. Would you recommend using the winches? I figured on using another block to "double up" the power. Or maybe you already did that. With you breakages/experience, cheaper in the long run or go hydro?

bozzaa69 · February 22, 2012, 10:35:49 AM

I just joined this forum last week. I haven't got a galley yet. I have a gallery on the DYI Bandmill forum. Gallery 8 Boza's mill. A chain log turner is the way to go. Easy to make and easy to make run with hydraulics. PLEASE READ FORESTRY FORUM RULES. NO OFFSITE PHOTOS. PHOTOS MUST BE IN YOUR FORESTRY FORUM GALLERY.

ladylake · February 23, 2012, 06:46:08 AM

Quote from: bozzaa69 on February 22, 2012, 10:35:49 AM
I just joined this forum last week. I haven't got a galley yet. I have a gallery on the DYI Bandmill forum. Gallery 8 Boza's mill. A chain log turner is the way to go. Easy to make and easy to make run with hydraulics. PLEASE READ FORESTRY FORUM RULES. NO OFFSITE PHOTOS. PHOTOS MUST BE IN YOUR FORESTRY FORUM GALLERY.

Welcome to the forum, nice pics of your chain turner and your right easy to make and work real good. Looks like you had quite a bit of snow in some of those pics. Steve

ladylake · February 24, 2012, 06:38:12 AM

Quote from: bozzaa69 on February 22, 2012, 10:35:49 AM
I just joined this forum last week. I haven't got a galley yet. I have a gallery on the DYI Bandmill forum. Gallery 8 Boza's mill. A chain log turner is the way to go. Easy to make and easy to make run with hydraulics. http://www.diybandmill.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=13&g2_itemId=19764

New member with 1 welcome in 2 days? Welcome again. Steve

york · February 24, 2012, 06:51:23 AM

steve,your right and bozzaa69 welcome to the FF-have looked at your mill build,ya did very good,i too like chain turners better....albert

Silver_Eagle · February 24, 2012, 09:22:30 AM

Hello bozzaa69, Welcome to the FF.

eastberkshirecustoms · February 24, 2012, 10:57:45 AM

Yeah Boza, welcome! I already 'know' your from the DIY site, so it slipped my mind. Good to have you here also. You've done some nice work on your mill with the hydraulics. I'll probably want to pick your brain as to what speed hyd. motor and gear ratio you are using on the turner.

bozzaa69 · February 25, 2012, 09:26:13 AM

This would be a good motor for the price right now. I bought the highest torque I could find for the lowest price. I ended up with the 22.6 GPM motors for $99.99 a couple years ago. I bought 10 of em. That's a steal. But these 18 GPM motors would work just fine. Basically the lowest speed with the highest torque for the lowest dollars for all my applications. I think my gear ratio is 2:1. I used a #60 chain and welded the steel grippers to the chain links.