Automatic Processor Cuts, Splits Firewood
Making more firewood in less time was the main objective of Warren Aikins, Rainier, Ore., when he first designed his "Chomper" Firewood Processor several years ago. Since then, he has reworked and refined the machine to the point where he now produces several versions of it for sale through his company, Rainier Hydraulics.
The Chomper processes firewood from cut logs of any length. It uses a shear blade to slice logs into lengths from 12 to 20 in. long. All functions are hydraulic, including the winch that pulls logs into the processing chamber and shear.
Here's how it works: A winch pulls logs into the processing chamber. Once the log is loaded, a shear blade cuts 80 percent of the way through the log. Then the shear blade moves forward, pushing the log through a set of fixed splitting blades. Once the log is split, the shear blade completes the cut. As the split firewood falls forward, the shear blade raises up and moves back to begin the process again.
"What makes the design unique is the way the shear blade cuts only part way through the log and is then used as the mechanism for automatically feeding logs into the splitter," notes Aikins.
The splitting bar is adjustable so the operator can split cut wood into 4 or 2 pieces. An 8-way split attachment is optional.
Rainier Hydraulics makes four self-powered versions of the Chomper and one that is pto powered (requires at least a 45 hp tractor). The engines are needed only to power the hydraulics. Even the winch uses a hydraulic motor.
The largest has an 80 hp 4045D Deere diesel. A Perkins 104-22 45 hp diesel powers the second. Both of these processors can be set to operate automatically, cutting and splitting one log while the operator prepares to load the next one. These two larger, automatic versions can handle logs up to 16 in. or 14 in. in diameter, respectively. Each cut/split cycle takes 8 to 10 seconds, which means a 16 in. 16 ft. long log, cut at 16 in., would be processed in less than 2 minutes. Cutting into 12 in. lengths would add less than a minute to processing time. These machines can turn out 3 to 4 cords of wood an hour, depending on how quickly logs can be supplied to the Chomper.
The smallest self-powered model has a Honda 18 hp Twin V gasoline engine and is designed for logs up to 14 in. in diameter. The cutting/splitting operation is manual, meaning the operator must run the controls for each cut/split. Cycle time is 5 to 15 seconds per cut/split, depending on the size of the log. A single operator can cut and split up to two cords an hour. This Chomper has the same specs as the pto-powered machine.
Aikins has a fourth self-powered version that will also handle a number of smaller limbs, stems or slabs at once, using either winch or gravity feed to deliver them to the shear blade.
Aikins says the Chomper has several advantages over other woodcutting and splitting systems.
"The shear blade will handle dirt and stones without dulling. In fact, the blade is self-sharpening, so you don't spend time sharpening saw blades," he says. "And since it doesn't use a saw blade, there's no sawdust to get rid of, either."
Prices range from $8,950 for the pto model to $32,500 for the largest self-powered Chomper. Belt conveyors to stack or load wood are available. Other options include trailer packages, fenders and lights, automatic engine shutdown system, and tachometer/hour meter for the engine.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Warren Aikins, Rainier Hydraulics, Inc., P.O. Box 748, Rainier, Ore. 97048 (ph 800 457-9136; E-mail: chomper@aone.com; Web site: www.forestind.com/chomper).
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Automatic Processor Cuts, Splits Firewood WOODLOT EQUIPMENT Wood Splitters 25-1-43 Making more firewood in less time was the main objective of Warren Aikins, Rainier, Ore., when he first designed his "Chomper" Firewood Processor several years ago. Since then, he has reworked and refined the machine to the point where he now produces several versions of it for sale through his company, Rainier Hydraulics.
The Chomper processes firewood from cut logs of any length. It uses a shear blade to slice logs into lengths from 12 to 20 in. long. All functions are hydraulic, including the winch that pulls logs into the processing chamber and shear.
Here's how it works: A winch pulls logs into the processing chamber. Once the log is loaded, a shear blade cuts 80 percent of the way through the log. Then the shear blade moves forward, pushing the log through a set of fixed splitting blades. Once the log is split, the shear blade completes the cut. As the split firewood falls forward, the shear blade raises up and moves back to begin the process again.
"What makes the design unique is the way the shear blade cuts only part way through the log and is then used as the mechanism for automatically feeding logs into the splitter," notes Aikins.
The splitting bar is adjustable so the operator can split cut wood into 4 or 2 pieces. An 8-way split attachment is optional.
Rainier Hydraulics makes four self-powered versions of the Chomper and one that is pto powered (requires at least a 45 hp tractor). The engines are needed only to power the hydraulics. Even the winch uses a hydraulic motor.
The largest has an 80 hp 4045D Deere diesel. A Perkins 104-22 45 hp diesel powers the second. Both of these processors can be set to operate automatically, cutting and splitting one log while the operator prepares to load the next one. These two larger, automatic versions can handle logs up to 16 in. or 14 in. in diameter, respectively. Each cut/split cycle takes 8 to 10 seconds, which means a 16 in. 16 ft. long log, cut at 16 in., would be processed in less than 2 minutes. Cutting into 12 in. lengths would add less than a minute to processing time. These machines can turn out 3 to 4 cords of wood an hour, depending on how quickly logs can be supplied to the Chomper.
The smallest self-powered model has a Honda 18 hp Twin V gasoline engine and is designed for logs up to 14 in. in diameter. The cutting/splitting operation is manual, meaning the operator must run the controls for each cut/split. Cycle time is 5 to 15 seconds per cut/split, depending on the size of the log. A single operator can cut and split up to two cords an hour. This Chomper has the same specs as the pto-powered machine.
Aikins has a fourth self-powered version that will also handle a number of smaller limbs, stems or slabs at once, using either winch or gravity feed to deliver them to the shear blade.
Aikins says the Chomper has several advantages over other woodcutting and splitting systems.
"The shear blade will handle dirt and stones without dulling. In fact, the blade is self-sharpening, so you don't spend time sharpening saw blades," he says. "And since it doesn't use a saw blade, there's no sawdust to get rid of, either."
Prices range from $8,950 for the pto model to $32,500 for the largest self-powered Chomper. Belt conveyors to stack or load wood are available. Other options include trailer packages, fenders and lights, automatic engine shutdown system, and tachometer/hour meter for the engine.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Warren Aikins, Rainier Hydraulics, Inc., P.O. Box 748, Rainier, Ore. 97048 (ph 800 457-9136; E-mail: chomper@aone.com; Web site: www.forestind.com/chomper).
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