DIY Firewood Processor

This is my DIY Firewood Processor, more of a system really. I have always hated making and handling firewood since I was a kid, but its a necessity on the farm. A few years back I decided it was time to make the task of creating firewood easier. My first thought was a firewood processor. It didn't take long to realize the cost of one of these things, even a used one, was totally not going to happen. My next thought was a commercial grade splitter with a conveyer, way less expensive than a processor but still out of my price range. And then there is the stacking, storing, unstacking, moving the wood to the the burner or point of sale. I started seeing YT videos of people using log bags to stack, store, and move firewood. Was this the answer I was looking for, but they were all using conveyors to load the bags. I really did not want another piece of expensive equipment to operate and maintain. Then it hit me, why can't I use gravity to load the bags. Gravity is free and never breaks. The splitter is key to the whole system. My splitter, which was the horizontal /vertical type where the wedge is attached to the ram and the backstop is fixed to the beam. I modified it by cutting off the backstop and attaching it to the ram and fabricating a box wedge for the end of the beam. I made a tilting outfield table, so the splits would just slide down. Then I built platform on one of our many hills where I could position the bags about 6' lower than the splitter. I really like this system, it makes firewood easier and faster. The down side are the bags which only last maybe 3 years if stored outside and they are pricey. Instead of bags I started using large custom wood boxes which hold a cord of loose stack splits (180 cu'), still working out the details but they should last a lot longer.
For a more detail look at the system: • Details on my DIY Fire...

[@tennet100]

Nice setup, i am glad to see someone adding some efficiency into this process.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@justing6594]

That's awesome! Great job!

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@WoodchuckCanuck]

That's a pretty good set up. I've been thinking about doing something similar, but as a mobile setup, so that it can all move down the log pile. Basically bring the setup tot he log pile rather than the log pile to the setup. If you catch my drift.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks, Ya I see what you mean. For me, moving the logs is all tractor time. Not having to touch the log or the splits is key. I don't have a huge log pile, I cut trees as I need them, usually half dozen at a time, or what I think I can do in a day.

[@mattwaters6987]

That's a great setup. Going at your own pace. 👍😊

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks Matt

[@rheagriffiths3838]

Dude!!! I love this.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Very nice set up .

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@nebraskawoodstr]

Nice little setup. Good work. Started my channel last year and just got into an entry level processor. Way easier on the body.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks Mike, definitely easier on the body. Good luck with the new processor.

[@davidmorrisii69]

Wonderful, and yall did it yourselfs.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks, yep easy and cheap DIY

[@Boone860]

Wow very slick, nice setup!

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks!

[@nikkihazelton6420]

Man that's a beauty set up

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@mikeadams2339]

Great set up.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@philliphall5198]

Great setup and it works 😊

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@jimhlavnicka5225]

I like your setup, good job....

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@obi1kahnobee549]

well done great set up

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks!

[@user-fl2kq3qs5z]

👍 довольно таки простая и остроумная задумка!

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@MikeOrazzi]

Nice set up.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks Mike

[@UsDiYoNa]

Good idea. I like it.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@fergusonto-2032]

Great job

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@MountainBeaches]

Very clever!

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@jdboy9]

Love it!

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks

[@wadebanks3710]

Nice. I just need the tractor.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks. Ya, the system doesn't work without a tractor.

[@jrmorrissey207]

Rich... Great setup you have there. Couple of questions... Is that a hole you dug for the firewood bag to go down into? Also, can you possibly follow-up with discussion of how you installed the chainsaw to the holder? Or at least describe it a bit. Looks like a piece of c-channel or something bolted to the bar of the saw. Thanks for this.

[@RichMenzel]

Not really a hole, just a 6' high cut into the side of the hill. That way you can drive a machine, tractor, forklift, what ever up to it. The chainsaw mount uses bar extender nuts. Having a lathe and mill I machined them from a piece of solid steel. You can buy them online from a number of places, here's one: www.baileysonline.com/logosol-extender-nut-each-m8.html
I really like using the extender nuts, no modifications to the saw needed. Wasn't sure if they would be strong or hold the saw securely , but they are working great so far. I'll try to post another YT video showing the details. The system was super cheap and easy to build and works way better than I even hoped for!

[@RichMenzel]

Video showing more detail: th-cam.com/video/F93eGBlT5pM/w-d-xo.html

[@mikemuniak4711]

Where did you get the fire wood bags ? And how much are they ?

[@RichMenzel]

I bought the Log-Lift bags directly from the manufacture NNZ.com. The last time I bought them was 4 years ago and I don't remember what I paid. I stoped using them because after 3 years they start falling apart. Now I make my own firewood boxes out of wood. They are a lot bigger, three times the size, and should last a lot longer. Because I mill my own lumber off my wood lot they only cost are the screws to put them together and my labor.

[@lovesloudcars]

pretty simple setup. Gravity seldom quits working or blows a line!
How much have you messed around with loose vs stacked volumes? 180 loose I have found in a pile it seems to end up closer to 200 in a cone I calculated last year it turned out closer to 220 which was crazy since 128 is the stacked volume.

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks, I don't really ness with cords, stacking, counting or handling the firewood, don't have to. I sell firewood by the piece at my self serve road side stand. Up to now I have been using bags and according to the manufacture they hold 1/3 of a loose cord. Actually I have no idea if that's even close, but I guess it could be. For me, the bags only serve as a catch, transport and storing mechanism. The down side of the bags is they only last maybe 3 years. Im switching over to wooden boxes will see how that goes, should last longer and because I mill my own lumber cheaper.

[@lovesloudcars]

@@RichMenzel cool. Yhe bags aren't cheap. Hopefully wood baskets work well for you. As long as they're tough enough to take the abuse of time. I built one basket that holds a half cord loose or stacked. There's always a trade off, but the less handling the better.

[@hitied1]

Info on the wench that you used?

[@RichMenzel]

It's the small HarborFreight 2500lb winch, plenty of power. It came with a wireless remote and steal cable, but I think the synthetic cable would be better. I just use a 12 volt battery which will out last me and I charge it at the end of the day.

[@hitied1]

@@RichMenzel Thanks Rich, what a great setup, I just bought a Super Split and I’ll cut my rounds with your method.
So glad I found your channel

[@RichMenzel]

Video showing more detail: th-cam.com/video/F93eGBlT5pM/w-d-xo.html

[@amandadavis9726]

@@RichMenzel you could always wire it to a solar charger if you don’t want to have to deal with putting it on the charger at the end of the day.

[@RichMenzel]

@@amandadavis9726 Sounds like a good idea, Thanks.

[@stevencrabtree1960]

As they say, Work Smart not Hard

[@RichMenzel]

Thanks