If you are have ever searched about what is a Guillotine Firewood Processor and did not get enough understanding, read through this article to find out in detail.
It is a type of wood splitter that does not use a chainsaw, rather uses a double-edged blade that slides through the whole trees to cut them into pieces and then split them at the same time. It is a type of machine which is used to cut and split the logs with minimal human intervention.
It has four main parts, all having their specific function. The processing starts with the log pile which is de-limbed from the trees and cut to a length of about 10 to 12 feet. The four main parts of a guillotine firewood processor are:
Log deck
It is used to stack the logs using an excavator with a grapple or skid steer. Logs are pulled mechanically into the trough that then feeds them into position to be cut into rounds or firewood length pieces. A lot of firewood processors also use a combine feeder chain to move logs in the log deck.
Cutting Station
These logs are then split into firewood using either PTO or hydraulically powered guillotine. It also needs periodic sharpening using a disk grinder as the edges of the blades go blunt after continuous cutting. As soon as one cut is done, the round drops into the position of the split in the next process. Some guillotine splitters, cut and split the wood at the same time.
Splitting Chamber
The wedge that splits the round into firewood pieces is placed in the splitting chamber. These logs are simply pushed into the wedge through hydraulic pressure for splitting. Wedge cuts the logs into several pieces based on the size of the log and usage.
Outfeed
It is a conveyor that drags the split firewood away from the main processor and keeps them somewhere else for later usage. There are a few machines that have multiple conveyors and tumbling systems for cleaning the firewood.
How much does Guillotine Firewood Processor cost?
The cost of a guillotine firewood processor depends upon its size and capacity. It ranges from about 15-20 grand for an entry-level (one cord an hour) to about 50-60 grand for an industrial (five to six cord per hour).
You can also make one DIY which generally costs way cheaper than the standard products available in the market. All it would need is time and effort at one’s end to DIY. But if you are not tight on budget, you can always purchase one. Some well-known brands are Blockbuster, Wood Beaver, Hakki Pilke, Multitek, and DYNA.
How to make a firewood processor on your own?
There are various manufacturers available in the market who sell off-the-shelf products which can be purchased and used directly for operations. However, the cost of these processors might not suit the pocket of many. You can also make one at your home or workshop using components and tools. This takes a bit of effort at one’s end but these homemade firewood processors come out to be comparatively easy on the pocket and user-friendly as well. There are videos available on the internet which can help you with DIY.
What are typical use cases?
There are different types of used cases for a guillotine firewood processor. If you are someone who wants firewood for big outdoor wood boilers, you would need big chunks of slow-burning hard firewood whereas if you want firewood for campfires, small-size pieces of fast-burning softwood. Food chains or restaurants usually prefer small sizes of hardwood.
How to determine output rating?
The standard way to measure the output rating of a guillotine firewood processor is ‘cords per hour’. The output rate for a machine depends on variables like temperature, size of wood, species of tree, number of splits, length of the round, etc.
Manufacturers give their standard rating output basis some standard variables and hence if there is a change in any of the variables, the output rating gets impacted drastically.
It is always advisable to watch the machine functioning live or in video processing the firewood to determine what is the kind of output you require and how much is it providing.
What are the safety instructions to be followed?
If you are purchasing the off-the-shelf guillotine firewood processor available in the market, always read the safety guide which comes along with it. It has all the safety instructions mentioned in detail specific to the model you are purchasing.
However, if you are operating on a DIY product, always wear gloves, safety glasses, and a helmet while operating on it.
Always pay full attention to the machine and do not try to multitask during the operation. It not only eliminates the risk of injury on the site but also increases productivity and takes fewer hands and feet to produce the same volume of firewood.
