Firewood Processors: Further Information
A firewood processor is a machine used to cut and split logs into manageable and practical sizes. The firewood business, in which firewood processors are generally used, is a sizeable industry that sells wood to be used in many different contexts, from personal uses such as heating one’s home to manufacturers simply using the wood as fuel.
Firewood Processors
A firewood processor is an essential tool for anyone in the firewood business as it dramatically reduces the time it takes to chop and split logs. More traditional means of firewood processing, such as the manual use of axes and saws, are often very time consuming and can take a negative physical toll on the worker. A firewood processor is overwhelmingly used in professional settings such as lumber sites but is not exclusive to such locations. As logs prove difficult to transport in their natural state, trucks are often used to transport firewood processors to locations where trees are initially chopped down. The firewood processor will then reduce the wood into smaller pieces that are much easier to transport to their various destinations.
Log Cutters
A firewood processor is comprised of two main pieces: a log cutter and a log splitter. Log cutters usually take the form of a circular saw that is raised and lowered according to the specified length at which logs are to be cut. Firewood processors may also use a hydraulic sawbar, as is the case with the popular Hakki Pilke 60 model, for example. Before inserting any logs, the user will specify the length at which the wood is to be cut. This will differ depending on the eventual purpose of the firewood. The most common length that a firewood processor will cut logs at is 22’’. This is the length of firewood that is destined for personal usage. Once the log is inserted into the firewood processor, it is pushed against a steel block that stops it at this specified length. The circular saw then automatically lowers, cuts the wood and allows it to fall into the log splitter, the last stage of firewood processing.
Log Splitters
The log splitter if the component of the firewood processor that slices the wide log into smaller pieces. After the log is sliced lengthways and the portion of log falls into the splitter, a hydraulic pump pushes the log against a sharp steel plate that splits the wood. This splitting blade is changeable on certain models. As users will undoubtedly have desired widths for the firewood as well as desired lengths, the splitting blade can be changed from a single plate that slices the log into two pieces of firewood to a more complicated design that splits the wood into quarters or sixths.
Small Firewood Processors
Firewood processors are normally used in professional settings but models designed for domestic use are increasingly common. The fact that a firewood processor usually runs on hydraulic power makes it a greener alternative to gas-powered chain saws. Firewood processors for domestic use tend to be smaller in size with less capacity for heavier logs. Whereas professional firewood processors will have a 20-tonne capacity or more, small firewood processors intended for home use will often remain in the 2 to 5-tonne range.