current project "firewood conveyor"

[behindbars]

I've had this idea in my head for a while.  To convert an old hay and grain elevator into a firewood conveyor.  We'll use it to load logs into the dump trailer and pile up split wood coming off the log splitter.  It's turning into a major project. 

Here's what it's supposed to look like but I'm too cheap to buy one new.



Here's what I bought off craigslist for $85.






It was the most intact one I found after months of searching.  I don't know how old it is but it's freakin' old.  I can't find a  freakin' old hay and grain elevator    parts store.  So engineering Tractor Supply parts is becoming the norm.   


It had an electric motor that someone removed.  We're adding a gas motor to it to make it more portable but had to come up with a way to mount it.  A couple of the bearings were bad and had to be replaced and some cancer had to be cut out.  The hardest thing we've done so far is come up with the right gear ratio on the pulleys to slow it down.  The first time we started it up it was fast as hell and threw the chain. I think we got it figured out now. 

All we have left to do is fab up an idler pulley to use as a clutch so you can start it.  We're also going to make a cage out of expanded metal to protect the engine and pulleys.

So far I have about $400 in it and 2 days of work.  They're about $3000 new. 

[Cujo]

New Holland used to make elevators once upon a time. I don't remember who bought New Holland out, but you might be able get some legacy part through them. You're bringing back some memories of my summers when I was a kid putting straw and hay away.

[behindbars]

I have no idea what brand it is.  The lettering rusted off about 40 years ago.

Actually it's very simple,  chains, sprockets, shafts, and bearings.  All the parts are common sizes.   TSC has a wide array of parts.  The problem is they only have one or none of the parts I needed.  Ended up at 2 tractor dealers and 3 TSC's to get everything we needed.  Good thing fuel's down to $2.60/gal.

Can't wait to get it running.  Gonna sit in a lawn chair,  , and have it set up over a bonfire dropping logs on it.   

[mayfair]

That's one HELUVA garage that you've got there bars !!

[behindbars]

That's one HELUVA garage that you've got there bars !!

That's my buddies garage.  Him and his wife make good money and have no kids.  He got all the toys in it too.  I'm real nice to him in case he dies before me. 
 

[Buford445]

My mother's Nephew (Not My Cousin hehe ) has cut wood for a living for years has done this not shure which Hay or Grain but it works

[behindbars]

Well well well. This thing got some use in 1-1/2 years. It is the cat's behind set up under a log splitter.

It was time for some TLC again. The end shaft supports were buckled causing it to toe out and eat the bearings. The ladder chain was too loose and out of adjustment. The drive chain was stretched out. The gas motor was a pain in the arse to start because it didn't have a clutch and it spun too fast. The wheels/hubs had no bearings and we couldn't pull it down the road. 

So here's what I did with my hillbilly mind, hands, and budget.

I had a 2 hp 3750 electric motor in the parts pile. It was too big and too fast. I went to the tool pawn shop and traded them for a 1 hp 1750 rpm. Welded a bracket and new pulley on it and put new cord on that a broken surge protector donated.


Made a SRT-1 hood for it.  Added a trailer axle from my buddies scrap pile. Repacked the bearings and added some 33's from the scrap pile.


Added some support and re-trued the end bearings and put in new bearings.


Took 2 links out of the ladder and 1 link out of the drive chain. Welded all the joints on the sides of the box to stiffen it up. Fixed the winch. Gave her a fresh coat of hillbilly gloss black (aka used motor oil).



I got $10 in new lug nuts, $9 in a pulley, $15 in steel, $40 in bearings, and about $15 in welding supplies. It will probably run up 20 cords of firewood this fall. Well worth it.

[aka_chewy]

That's pretty cool.  I love those, 'well, what crap can we use to make this work' kind of projects.

[Mitch]

That is pretty cool. I love playing with old stuff like that. A friend of mine's dad has a ancient farm junkyard next to the house that is full of old stuff like this, just rotting away.

[CTDhogHead]

Thats a sharp looking IH tractor your buddy has. 

[behindbars]

Yeah that's his pride and joy. He's grandfather bought it brand new.

[NickC]

Lookin good dude! 

[behindbars]

Yesterday 3 of us turned this



into this 





Winter may commence. 

[NickC]

Assuming it was you and 2 other guys... it looks like you had a lot of fun handing each others wood!

 

[Cujo]