DR Rapid Fire Rack & Pinion

[Dozer Man]

Related question...

Dozer,

Here are the dimensions you are looking for:

Clutch is 1.75"
flywheel is 18.25"

DR Power

DR Power,

By chance do you know if the 1.75" measurement comes from the outside diameter of the clutch? Or is that measured from where the inside belt runs at the bottom of the groove?

Thanks,

Dozer

 

[mikereynolds]

Mike, glad to see you are flying through the timber. One question: Are those jams you are still having due to the wood just getting stuck on the wedge? Have you solved the jams due to chuncks getting between the ram and the table? I hardly have those anymore. Still get those Knot jams though. I don't split pine so I don't get as many as you. Those poor guys on the SPEEDCO site are having all sorts of issues with that CHINA built thing. I have cleaned up and painted up my Troy-bilt hydro 27 ton unit to sell on Craigs List. I don't want to have to bend over for hours again as long as I split wood. I'm 60 and don't need that crap anymore..Happy, Happy, Happy.:biggrin:

Still having jams but fount a claw hammer frees the ram easier!

 

[mikereynolds]

30 cord split update

Well after 30 cord cut, one of the the belts fell off and I reinstalled them and adjusted the tension, I think there should be v grooves in the flywheel and don't understand why there is not! I also had another failure this time the where the ram returns, it hits a soft 5/15 bolt which bent over and needed replacing. Greasing the rack is a pain but it hauls banannas! My other hydraulic splitters are rarely being used as my guys would rather team up on the DR than use the old machines. I built a large bench (4' X 16") to cut logs and stack rounds adjacent to the splitter and have a conveyor placed at the output of the DR to help reduce handling time because the split firewood piles up fast and needs to get out of my way! All in all I am satisfied and would buy it again.

 

[Steve NW WI]

Well after 30 cord cut, one of the the belts fell off and I reinstalled them and adjusted the tension, I think there should be v grooves in the flywheel and don't understand why there is not!

Until a couple years ago, I had an old Monitor jack style well pump. It drove off the flat on the flywheel, no problems for many years (with the belt anyway, broken antique cast parts in the middle of winter made me go submersible finally). Just keep em fairly tight - not guitar string tight, but maybe 1/2" or so of deflection when you push on it, and it shouldn't be a problem. I suspect it was a cost saving over a more complicated casting form, or machining the grooves into it.

 

[rwoods]

Our wood ministry continues to be pleased with the production of the DR Rapid Fire. Unfortunately, the owner lost the end of his thumb just below the nail Saturday when he somehow accidentally cycled it while removing a stuck round. Just a reminder to be careful. Ron

 

[nysparkie]

Belt Off

Well after 30 cord cut, one of the the belts fell off and I reinstalled them and adjusted the tension, I think there should be v grooves in the flywheel and don't understand why there is not! I also had another failure this time the where the ram returns, it hits a soft 5/15 bolt which bent over and needed replacing. Greasing the rack is a pain but it hauls banannas! My other hydraulic splitters are rarely being used as my guys would rather team up on the DR than use the old machines. I built a large bench (4' X 16") to cut logs and stack rounds adjacent to the splitter and have a conveyor placed at the output of the DR to help reduce handling time because the split firewood piles up fast and needs to get out of my way! All in all I am satisfied and would buy it again.

Mike: I had one come off also. After about 20 cords. I blame us. New Belts will stretch and we should have been aware. I was so happy flying through the cords I never checked....my fault. Took 15 or 20 minutes to take covers off (How about those interior nuts in getting them off and on)
and to adjust the engine to tighten everything up. I snugged it up for no more than 1/2 inch play. Works fine. I say as long as the flywheels and the pulley are in line and at 90 degrees, the clutch grooves will keep the belts in place as long as the tension is sufficient. What is the word hydraulics mean? :msp_biggrin:

 

[nysparkie]

Demensions

DR Power,

By chance do you know if the 1.75" measurement comes from the outside diameter of the clutch? Or is that measured from where the inside belt runs at the bottom of the groove?

Thanks,

Dozer, Did you get this measurement you wanted? If not explain what this measurement exactly is and I will put some calipers on it and give you the decimal equivalent.

 

[mikereynolds]

40 cord update

Well after 40 cord split I took the machine out of service today...It is showing wear. After several (way too many adjustments) the belts are wore out and the return spring broke. today and the guys were not happy to be back on "Ole' Reliable" I'll be calling DR tomorrow for a "Hail Mery" warranty parts order with "spares"...Let's see how long my macnine will be down! I'll probably have to find a spring that will work and hit the auto parts store for the belts...Not a happy camper when production gets shut down at the peak of the firewood season.

OK DR Power....I know you are reading this what do you think? I like the machine but I suggest better quality fasteners, V-Belts & return springs or perhaps packing some spare parts with new orders and V-Groves in the flywheels.

 

[doubleh]

belts

After reading about your belts coming off I decided to check mine this morning. Sure enough, we were at about 3/4" slack so we tightened things up. One of my guys mentioned the springs, wondering how long they would stay "springy." I'm thinking about calling DR and asking for a deal to buy replacements before I need them. Been running both my I & O hydro and the DR and it's painful having to wait for that hydro ram. Would hate to have to use it full time. And I know someone mentioned this in the other DR thread, but I do believe you have less chance of getting hurt with the DR because you are always paying attention; too easy to get distracted with hydro while you're waiting for the ram to extend or retract. No such down time with a flywheel splitter.

 

[nysparkie]

Down Time

Well after 40 cord split I took the machine out of service today...It is showing wear. After several (way too many adjustments) the belts are wore out and the return spring broke. today and the guys were not happy to be back on "Ole' Reliable" I'll be calling DR tomorrow for a "Hail Mery" warranty parts order with "spares"...Let's see how long my macnine will be down! I'll probably have to find a spring that will work and hit the auto parts store for the belts...Not a happy camper when production gets shut down at the peak of the firewood season.

OK DR Power....I know you are reading this what do you think? I like the machine but I suggest better quality fasteners, V-Belts & return springs or perhaps packing some spare parts with new orders and V-Groves in the flywheels.

I don't know how much more expensive the machine would be by casting flywheel with grooves for the belts. As both sides have to weigh the same it would take wheel weights or separate made castings to ensure equal weight on both sides. One can look at the belt coming off as a signal to PM the machine. Just saying. It does bother me that the return spring gave out after just 40 cord.:msp_confused: I know it can't be that much to replace but just the same. I'll have to take one off now and head up to a Auto or Tractor Supply store to have xtra's on hand. Might as well buy two xtra belts too. I am also looking at threaded pipe and a couple of elbows for the oil drain. One can use a suction appliance to empty the crankcase but I am in favor of a complete drain of the old. Did this on my Toro Zero Turn Mower and it has worked out well. The biggest hurdle is the initial install. The engine has to be lifted up far enough to install a threaded elbow into the drain hole. Then just screw in a threaded piece long enough to overhang the frame. Another elbow and a threaded end plug. Drain the oil easily then.

 

[mikereynolds]

Called customer support today

Called DR this morning and the belts are not covered on warranty as they are a wearable item (This machine has only been in service for less than one month) but the springs are. Then she said 7-10 business days for shipping! But when I mentioned that I was reporting the machines progress on this forum she talked to the "Big Boss" and offered to ship the springs and throw in a couple belts (one time only) 2'nd day! Can't wait to put this machine back in service! I will be getting extra belts and springs in stock and ready.

Good idea about the elbo for draining oil... while the machine is out of service, I'll be doing that too and giving it a complete once over while it's inside the shop.

 

[Circle B MN]

Well after 40 cord split I took the machine out of service today...It is showing wear. After several (way too many adjustments) the belts are wore out and the return spring broke. today and the guys were not happy to be back on "Ole' Reliable" I'll be calling DR tomorrow for a "Hail Mery" warranty parts order with "spares"...Let's see how long my macnine will be down! I'll probably have to find a spring that will work and hit the auto parts store for the belts...Not a happy camper when production gets shut down at the peak of the firewood season.

OK DR Power....I know you are reading this what do you think? I like the machine but I suggest better quality fasteners, V-Belts & return springs or perhaps packing some spare parts with new orders and V-Groves in the flywheels.

I have easily double the volume of wood through a "similiar" machine and have yet to do anything more than add gas. Could there possibly be an operator issue involved..? It has been my experience that hired hands aren't always as "caring" of a piece of equipment as the man that wrote the check for it. Just saying....

 

[mikereynolds]

I have easily double the volume of wood through a "similiar" machine and have yet to do anything more than add gas. Could there possibly be an operator issue involved..? It has been my experience that hired hands aren't always as "caring" of a piece of equipment as the man that wrote the check for it. Just saying....

What machine do you have?

All equipment breaks and needs maintence peroid!

I agree hired hands rarely care for equipment as if it were their own even though their jobs depend on the equipment they opperate. So if a splitter or chainsaw is down, they clock out and go home and get less pay. It's their job and in their best interest to report potential problems or maintence needs. I'm also a contractor and have a dedicated mechanic that services and maintains my heavy equipment, work trucks, trailers and small machinery chainsaws power tools etc. He has a PM schedule and keeps a daily reccord. He knows his business and does it well. Every piece of equipment I own needs and gets constant attention.

I don't want to sound like I am unhappy with my purchase of the DR Rapid Fire...quite the contrary, I would buy it again and might even buy a second one (or a SS) next season. I want to give a clear and honest report on how this new machine performs for those that are considering purchashing one over their competitors like the original Super Split, The (my undersanding) made in China Splitfire, and semi China made Woodwolf.

 

[Pcoz88]

Any body consider the mech. splitter from Howard ,Ohio???

 

[nysparkie]

Ohio Machine?

Any body consider the mech. splitter from Howard ,Ohio???

I am clueless, What Howard Ohio machine is that?:msp_mellow:

 

[nysparkie]

DR Telephone call

Called DR this morning and the belts are not covered on warranty as they are a wearable item (This machine has only been in service for less than one month) but the springs are. Then she said 7-10 business days for shipping! But when I mentioned that I was reporting the machines progress on this forum she talked to the "Big Boss" and offered to ship the springs and throw in a couple belts (one time only) 2'nd day! Can't wait to put this machine back in service! I will be getting extra belts and springs in stock and ready.

Good idea about the elbo for draining oil... while the machine is out of service, I'll be doing that too and giving it a complete once over while it's inside the shop.

I have had similar excellent response from DR with other equipment I have bought from them: DR Field and Brush Mower for one.
They have been good to me in the past.

 

[Pcoz88]

Melvin Yoder
Flack Hill Machine LTD
7799 Flack Road
Howard,Ohio 43028

Here's a phone # you can leave a message or get lucky and you might get Melvin(its a community phone)740-427-2723 And its not any where near Howard,Ohio but Howard must be the closest town with a post office.

Pete
http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/181787.htm

 

[D&B Mack]

Finally Broke Something

So the ram plate broke off. A problem we have been having; occassionally a piece of wood gets wedge between the table and the beam. Sometimes, this catches the ram and keeps it from return travelling. Well, this piece got caught under splitting pressure, it put torque on the ram against the rest of the round. Upon completing the split, ram plate fell off. Emailed DR this morning, we'll see what they can do.

 

[nysparkie]

Ouch

So the ram plate broke off. A problem we have been having; occassionally a piece of wood gets wedge between the table and the beam. Sometimes, this catches the ram and keeps it from return travelling. Well, this piece got caught under splitting pressure, it put torque on the ram against the rest of the round. Upon completing the split, ram plate fell off. Emailed DR this morning, we'll see what they can do.

You are the first one I have heard of that had this issue. That had to be some tork to break that push plate off that ram. I also notice, if it is not an optical illusion, your wedge looks like it has waves in it (Bends off center) on that last pic. Is that so or is it just the way the picture came out?
Also how many cords did you get split before this metal fatigue hit your ram? I have gone through 30??? Now I am going to take a look for hairline cracks in my push face/ram weld. I have had this Wood wedging between the ram and table going on also. Not so much lately for I am careful how I place the stumps on the table -rarely flat side down. That is how I get more jams. SO how many cords - to ask again?

 

[Circle B MN]

You are the first one I have heard of that had this issue. That had to be some tork to break that push plate off that ram. I also notice, if it is not an optical illusion, your wedge looks like it has waves in it (Bends off center) on that last pic. Is that so or is it just the way the picture came out?
Also how many cords did you get split before this metal fatigue hit your ram? I have gone through 30??? Now I am going to take a look for hairline cracks in my push face/ram weld. I have had this Wood wedging between the ram and table going on also. Not so much lately for I am careful how I place the stumps on the table -rarely flat side down. That is how I get more jams. SO how many cords - to ask again?

Looks like that weld for what ever reason lacks sufficient penetration, at least from here. What you feeding that thing to make the wedge twist...?