building a shear to cut firewood

[coyotedown]

Hi

Have any of you ever built a shear to cut firewood and if so what kind of steel did you use and where did you get it. I bought an older self propelled reel lawn mower with a 37 or 39 horsepower kubota motor on it. I was originally going to make a log splitter out of it, but now I am thinking of adding some sort of cutting apparatus to it to make a little processor. I am not adverse to making a cutting device out of a large saw blade, but I do not know where to buy them. Any and all discussion of this build would be fun for me. Thank you for your time.

 

[Mike Van]

This company http://www.chomper.net/page2.html and probably some others make shear type machines. Check out their product, find out all you can about engines, pump size, etc. Try to find one near you to watch work. It must take some incredible tonnage to shear a 14" dia hardwood log, I'd think the saw cutoff would be easier/cheaper to build.

 

[gtstang462002]

This company http://www.chomper.net/page2.html and probably some others make shear type machines. Check out their product, find out all you can about engines, pump size, etc. Try to find one near you to watch work. It must take some incredible tonnage to shear a 14" dia hardwood log, I'd think the saw cutoff would be easier/cheaper to build.

+1

 

[redprospector]

This company http://www.chomper.net/page2.html and probably some others make shear type machines. Check out their product, find out all you can about engines, pump size, etc. Try to find one near you to watch work. It must take some incredible tonnage to shear a 14" dia hardwood log, I'd think the saw cutoff would be easier/cheaper to build.

I've got one of the 14" chompers, and you're right, it takes an incredible amount of tonnage to shear through a 14" hardwood log. But a 6" cylinder with 2500 to 3000 psi will generate incredible tonnage. I cut mostly soft woods so a 7" cylinder might do better, but it would be a little slower.

Andy

 

[gink595]

The sheer mat'l is probably AR plate, maybe like a AR400 abrasion resistance steel, it's hard and it's some bad tough stuff. As for a supplier look in the local phone book for steel suppliers if they don't have it in stock they can order it, just be ready to hand over your whole check book because that puppy won't be cheap, you'll have to buy what ever stock lengths they sell at you could end up having to buy a 4' x 8' sheet.

 

[Junkfxr]

Try ice-va.com for large diameter saw blades.

 

[Ohiowoodguy]

You might want to take notice of all the used, but recently-purchased Chompers that are for sale and ask yourself "Why?". I'm sure they're fine for wussy softwood, but I question how they hold up to dry oak, locust,etc. (My apologies to those with no real wood in your area).

Maybe a hydro pump to a high-speed hydro motor running a chainsaw would be easier and safer. Notice how the Lexan on the used CordKings is always cracked:jawdrop: