One-Man Firewood Processor Mounts On Skid Steer Loaders

One-Man Firewood Processor Mounts On Skid Steer Loaders TRACTORS Skid Steer Loaders “I worked in and around the logging and trucking industry for years and would often hear people wish there was equipment for skid steers that would handle cut and split firewood in one operation ” says Glen Halverson a Pine River Minn inventor “So I built a small affordable machine that’s ideal for home owners farmers and small firewood producers ” Halverson says it took him more than a year to build his first prototype and 2 1/2 more years to perfect his machine It’s a combination log fork squeeze arm chain saw and log splitter that attaches to skid steers with a universal mount The compact HWP-130 and HWP-140 are built to handle logs up to 10 ft long and 10 to 15 in in diameter “The processors fit most 40 to 60 hp machines allowing one man to handle cut and split about 1 1/2 to 2 cords an hour under ideal conditions ” Halverson says The machines need a minimum of 15 gpm hydraulic flow at 2 800 psi Halverson says “The key to my processor’s efficiency is the 22-in long chain bar with an effective cutting length of 18 1/2 inches It’s a heavy-duty bar and chain with an automatic oiler driven by a hydraulic motor It took me a long time to get this idea perfected including design work by a hydraulic specialist When a log is held in place by the hydraulic clamp the operator activates the saw and it makes a straight cut in just seconds The piece of cut wood drops onto the splitting platform and is pushed through the splitting wedge by a 3 1/2-in hydraulic cylinder with a 27- in reach The cylinder and ram delivers 27 000 lbs of force The whole operation is done from the driver’s seat inside the cab ” In addition to the cutting and splitting platform the processors have 2 reinforced lift arms made of 3-in tube steel The end of each arm has a 3 by 8-in metal bracket to help lift logs from a pile and keep them from sliding off the lift arms as they’re tilted up The working width of the processor is just over 12 ft Halverson says both models of the processors have been sold to customers across the U S and Canada and have been “virtually maintenance free” The HWP-130 sells for $12 500 and slightly larger HWP-140 sells for $15 490 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Halverson Wood Products 199 College St Pine River Minn 56474 ph 218 587-2065; www halversonwoodproducts com

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