With the UK currently experienc-

Confused? Look no further…
With the UK currently experiencing a boom in firewood processor
sales, potential buyers could easily
be driven to distraction with the
huge selection of makes, models
and designs that are currently available. This month we take a look at
some of the models on offer.
BGU
BGU’s KSA 450 with its 20” chainsaw harvester bar running .404
chain has the capacity to process
18” diameter logs. It can be driven either electrically, with a power
requirement of 15kW, or by tractor
PTO. It has a two-speed splitting
ram with a force of 24 tonnes and a
14-way splitting cross.
November 2011 will see the
launch of a new updated version
of the 450.
With an 8 tonne splitting force,
the lighter-weight KSA 370 can
process 4 cubic metres an hour. The
370’s unrestricted infeed conveyor
makes it ideal for cutting crooked timber. A 3500mm conveyor
comes as standard but an extra long
4500mm option is also available.
BGU’s range also features two circular saw firewood processors. The
SSA 310 Evolution has a 750mm
tungsten-tipped blade with the
capacity to cut 12” diameter logs
with a splitting force of 8 tonnes.
The second circular saw processor,
the SSM 250 Z Compakt, has a
700mm blade and 10” diameter
capacity. With a 6-tonne splitting
force it is capable of processing 3
cubic metres per hour. It has a roller
bearing feed table and is available
with or without a conveyor.
www.perryplanthire.co.uk
01363 866174
Bilke
The Bilke 2 processor with tractor
PTO drive uses a rotary shear to cut
wood to any preset length from 23
to 55cm and can take roundwood
of up to 22.5cm diameter, or slabs
of up to 34cm diameter.
An automatic feeding conveyor
carries the wood into the machine.
There is no need for the operator to
do anything except load it. Several
thin stems or slabs may be placed
on the feeding conveyor simultaneously to improve productivity.
The discharge conveyor is
extremely wide ensuring that there
is no risk of jamming. Both conveyors fold up easily for transport.
www.mlarge.com
028 9034 2838
Binderberger
Binderberger offer three different
machines for sawing and splitting
firewood.
The automatically controlled
Profi 450 has a maximum cutting
capacity of 45cm and can produce
logs from 15-50cm in length. The
logs are carried into the machine
from the log deck by a hydraulicdrive conveyor belt, and are cut to
the preset length by a hydraulic harvester chainsaw head with integrated chain lubrication and hydraulic
chain tensioning. The wood is rolled
into the trough of the 16-tonne
automatic splitter, where it is split
into a suitable number of pieces
(dependent on the log diameter).
2, 4, 6, 8, and 12-way splitting
blades are available. The firewood is
discharged from the machine by a
hydraulically driven conveyor.
The Profi 520 operates in either
automatic or semi-automatic mode
like its smaller sibling, but has the
capacity to cut a log up to 55cm in
diameter. The splitting force is 30
tonnes and a 16-way splitting blade
is an option. Both the 450 and the
The Posch S-350 is Wilsons’ top-selling machine.
520 can be powered by tractor
PTO, 3-phase electric motor or Hatz
Silent Pack diesel engine.
For those processing very big
logs Binderberger offer the sawing
and splitting Gigant, which can
saw logs up to 75cm in diameter.
Splitting force is 40 tonnes.
www.marshalllogging.co.uk
01892 770788
Ireland & Scotland 028 2073 2700
Dalen
Marshalls also distribute Norwegianbuilt Dalen firewood processors.
The entry-level machine is the Dalen
2052 which is manually operated
(hydraulic control is an option), and
has a cutting capacity of 40cm.
The Dalen 2054 is fully hydraulically controlled and has a cutting
capacity of 44cm. Because these
machines have wide infeed sections with hydraulic-driven conveyor belts, they are particularly
adept at cutting bent, awkward
wood with ease. Both machines
have 8-tonne capacity splitters,
hydraulic discharge conveyors that
swing through a 2-metre arc, 2,
4, or 6-way splitting blades, and
pressure-fed chain lubrication. The
Dalen 2054 uses a harvester bar
and chain.
www.marshalllogging.co.uk
01892 770788
Ireland & Scotland 028 2073 2700
Fuelwood (Warwick)
Fuelwood (Warwick) is the only
British manufacturer of firewood
and kindling machines. Fuelwood
say their machines enable large
diameter timber to be sawn into
very short lengths (down to 6”) yet
still be processed without disruptions caused by logs twisting inside
the machine.
The Kindlet, Kindlet Pro and
Splitta all use the ‘X-Blade’ system.
The Splitta produces firewood and
nets of kindling. With bulk loads, if
the diameter of timber processed
changes, the machine produces a
constant maximum sized log with
no need for different blade configurations.
The Transaw 350, designed for
short logs and twisted timbers, utilises a low-maintenance, fast-cutting, circular saw system. The range
has been extended with the launch
of the Transaw 350 XL model, with
increased cutting capacity up to
55cm (22”). New auto two-speed
splitting doubles the splitting speed,
and the new ‘No Grip – No Saw’
technology adds to the safety features on the machine. A mobile
Transaw 350 with twin road axle
and a Hatz diesel engine will soon
be available. www.fuelwood.co.uk
01926 484673
(Left) BGU’s SSA 310 Evolution with 12” cutting capacity. (Right) The Dalen 2054-EHSX firewood processor from Marshall Agricultural Engineering.
Forestry Journal 7/11
www.forestryjournal.co.uk
25
(Left) The 22” capacity Transaw 350 XL from Fuelwood. (Right) The Multitek 2025 from Metpro International.
Gandini
Chippers International offer the
Forest Cut firewood processor from
Gandini.
A
heavy-duty
professional
machine, the Forest Cut weighs just
over 1000kg. It can be powered by
a 35hp tractor with the option of
3-phase electric motor.
All controls are operated from a
central work console; the machine’s
internal hydraulic system powers
the pumps and cast iron motors.
Capable of cutting logs up to
380mm (16”) diameter, timber is
loaded onto the infeed conveyor
table and moved to an adjustable
stop for different log lengths.
By operating a single gate lever
the chainsaw arm is lowered hydraulically, giving high performance cutting ability even on the hardest
timber. As the cut log drops and the
saw arm is raised, the splitting ram,
which has up to 15 tonne capacity,
is automatically activated.
Logs can be split 2, 4 or 6-ways.
The mechanism can be hydraulically
raised and lowered to accommodate the appropriate log diameter
and can be removed in seconds to
allow smaller logs to pass straight
through.
A major feature is that the saw
arm can be raised, the chain stopped
from rotating, and, by pushing a
single button, the splitter can be
operated on its own for off-cuts and
awkward-shaped pieces. As logs are
pushed through they are carried by
the discharge elevator which has an
adjustable discharge height of up
to 3.5 metres. An optional loading
table is also available which greatly
increases output to up to 50 tonnes
per day.
The whole machine can be folded for transport with an overall
width of 2.5 metres.
www.chippersinternational.co.uk
01789 414871
Hakki Pilke
Hakki Pilke offer a wide range of firewood processing equipment.
The Eagle, tractor or Honda petrol
engine powered, has a 700mm TCT
cross-cut blade with cone type splitter. Aimed at the first-time buyer,
domestic or small-scale commercial
user, over 285 units were sold in the
UK and Ireland in 2010.
The OH60 is an ideal machine for
high output of logs up to 250mm in
diameter. Features include 700mm
TCT cross-cut, 6-tonne log splitting
and 3.2m of outfeed conveyor.
The 1X-37 can cope with logs
up to 370mm in diameter and features a 16-inch chainsaw cross-cut,
7-tonne splitting force and 4-metre
outfeed. Users have a choice of
either manual cross-cut, or hydraulic joystick option.
No longer a new runner in the
The Hakki Pilke BigX47 is ideal for processing large diameter timber.
26
Hakki Pilke stable, the 1X-42, introduced into the marketplace almost
4 years ago, came with a few initial
technical issues.
However, the introduction of the
much improved 1X-42 hydraulic 18
months ago addressed these. The
1X-42 offers full hydraulic power
(no belt transmission), heavy-duty
infeed conveyor, joystick controls,
20” harvester bar and .404 chain
cross-cut, 13 tonnes variable speed
splitting force, laser and mechanical
log length measurement, 4-metre
hydraulically powered and slewing
outfeed conveyor and oil cooler.
For those needing to process
large-diameter timber, Hakki Pilke
offer the BigX47, with a 470mm
maximum log diameter, and the
new BigX50. This has a 500mm
maximum log diameter, full hydraulic log clamp and 4 to 30 tonnes
variable splitting force. Other standard features include a sawdust
extraction unit, and operator working platform.
Due in early autumn, the 2X +
Carry is built around the PTO-driven
2X machine, adding fully legal road
running gear. With a Honda 13hp
petrol (key start) engine, 15” bar
for log cross-cutting, twin splitting
chamber, 4-metre outfeed conveyor
and hydraulic drive with variable
speed control, this machine is worth
considering for mobile firewood
processing.
www.mlarge.com
028 9034 2838
Japa
The Japa range includes the Japa
300, a new Japa 700, and the Japa
375.
The Japa 300, a compact, selfpowered machine, is available in
low-cost tractor hydraulic or PTO
versions. The Japa 700 can take
timber up to 12” in diameter and
requires a minimum of 20hp from
the tractor PTO. The sawn logs drop
into the splitting trough and the
hydraulic cylinder pushes the log
through the splitting knife.
The new Japa 375 is the latest in
www.forestryjournal.co.uk
the chainsaw cutting range with a
capacity of 14½” diameter and an
8-tonne single splitting chamber.
All 375 models now have 4.1m folding outfeed conveyors and 2.3m
reversible infeed conveyors, with an
option of joystick controls, Expert
and Pro models. New lower prices
for the 375 range have just been
released.
www.fuelwood.co.uk
01926 484673
Multitek
Metpro International are the sole
UK agents for the Multitek range of
firewood processors.
The 2040XP2 has a log capacity
of 50.8cm diameter by 12.2 metres
and can split log rounds into up to
16 pieces for the production of bundles, kindling, or cooking woods.
The machine is available in .404”,
¾” or 60“ circular saw configurations. Available in diesel and electric
form, it can be used in conjunction
with various conveyor systems and
debris cleaning options.
The patented overhead shuttle grapple log feed system was
designed by Multitek in the early
1980s. With its ability to grab and
feed the log forwards and backwards, it can handle crooked logs
with ease.
The 3040XP2 is popular where
oversize logs would otherwise go
to waste. With a 72” circular saw, it
cuts logs up to 77cm in diameter.
The 1610EZ and 2020 series have
many of the industrial features of
the 2040XP2 and 3040XP2, and are
designed for the small and medium
sized firewood business.
The 1610EZ is a single-operator
machine that will cut and split logs
up to 16” in diameter and 10’ long.
It can be towed behind a pick-up
truck and offers an integrated 13’
firewood elevator for quick set-up
and mobility.
www.metprointernational.com
www.multitekinc.com
01656 657457
Palax
The newest arrival in the Palax range
Forestry Journal 7/11
(Left) Riko UK’s WP36 with its unique self-loading system. (Right) The KS50S is the latest addition to the Palax range from Caledonian Forestry Services.
is the KS50S, a fully hydraulically
controlled machine capable of high
production. With a cutting diameter
of 50cm and a splitting force ranging from 4-24 tonnes, this machine
operates at approximately 15 work
cycles a minute.
The smaller machine in the range
is the Palax 55, suitable for the
domestic market and small contractors. The 55 is available in three different models, powered by either a
mini tractor PTO, electric motor or
its own engine.
The Combi MiII has features
such as adjustable automatic belt
tension, and adjustable elevator
height and direction. The tungstentipped blade cuts up to 25cm. With
only three grease nipples on the
machine, the Combi is easily operated and maintained.
The Power 70S also cuts up to
25cm and is hydraulically controlled
via a joystick. The Power 70, which
is manually controlled, offers excellent value for money.
The KS35S, operating from a
single control lever, is fully hydraulic
with a cutting diameter of 35cm
and, like most models, has a 4.3m
elevator.
The Palax Power 90 and Power
100 are the larger circular saw
machines in the range, producing
a cross-cut of 35 to 40cm. The opti-
mising stroke splitting system makes
these very fast machines, splitting a
variety of sizes of timber just as
quickly as the smaller machines.
The Mega log deck is fully
hydraulic and connects directly to
either of the machines.
www.caledonianforestryservices.co.uk
01764 663798
Pinosa
Pinosa offer machines for timber
diameters of 16½”, 18½” and 24”.
The machines process smalldiameter branchwood, sawmill offcuts and low value twisted timber,
cutting several bundles of smalldiameter timber at the same time.
The automatic circular saw compensates for variations in log lengths
so no short off-cuts are left in the
machine. The patented gripping
and transfer to splitting ensures
short logs can be processed without
twisting. The machines automatically select how many pieces to split
the log into, based on diameter.
They also automatically centre the
knife so uniform logs are produced.
www.fuelwood.co.uk
01926 484673
Posch
Jas P Wilson import the Austrian
Posch range, aimed at the professional producer.
Posch sales in the UK tend to
be mainly small to medium sized
machines with circular saw blades.
The 280 model was recently introduced with a foot pedal system for
splitting. It cuts up to 28cm and has
a 10-tonne splitting force.
The 3100 and 3200 machines are
offered with tilting tables and varied
knife options.
The star of the Posch processor
range is the S-350, which, from its
launch in May 2010 till mid June
2011, saw 82 units sold. It cuts
35cm-diameter logs, has a folding
conveyor and proportional joystick
controls. The machine is designed
to be used with a powered log deck,
although some customers have
opted not to use a deck.
Posch also offer much larger
machines, namely the S400, with
circular saw and the K480, K540 and
K580, all with chainsaw.
All of these are factory machines
and are generally used in conjunction with a smaller firewood processor.
www.jaspwilson.co.uk
01556 612233
Sami
New to the Fuelwood range is the
Sami Autochopper. With fully automatic operation, the machine boasts
a cutting diameter of 44cm and
splitting power of 16 tonnes.
The logs are continually monitored to balance out the length,
never leaving a short piece at the
end, and the splitting knife’s position is adjusted automatically so that
equal size split logs are produced
automatically. www.fuelwood.co.uk
01926 484673
Mastersplit
The WP30 and WP36 firewood processors from Riko UK, which will cut
30 and 36cm diameter timber, are
especially suitable for twisted, awkward timber, so common in the UK.
A unique self-loading system
means there is no need for a log
loading table/rack. The operator
simply rolls the length of timber on
the ground onto the loading arm.
As the exiting piece of timber in
the processor is being split, the arm
lifts the next length onto the infeed
ready for cutting. Once the timber
is cut and splitting starts, the uncut
timber is automatically fed to its preset length ready for cutting.
Unlike other processors that use a
flat infeed conveyor, the timber on the
WP sits in a ‘V’ shaped trough which
feeds it forward. Operation is by a
single lever, leaving the operator’s
other hand to ‘assist’ any awkward
shaped timber being processed.
Finally, the new Continental 550
pro­cessor takes timber up to 55cm
in diameter and has a splitting force
of 25 tonnes.
www.alpinetractors.com
01420 487300
Fuelwood – woodfuel – Fuelwood – woodfuel – Fuelwood - woodfuel
New
Japa 700
High output logs
& kindling wood
up to 120 nets/hr
- Sawbenches
- Firewood machines
- PTO & Self Powered
- Towable versions
New
Model for
2011
Range of trailer and cranes
Range of mobile sawmills
Log Splitters
8 ton to 38 ton
Various power options
Drum
chippers
Claywood, Beausale, Warwick, CV35 7NX - Tel: 01926 484673
e-mail:- [email protected]
Forestry Journal 7/11
www.forestryjournal.co.uk
web:- www.fuelwood.co.uk
27