Modular Machines Inc

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION OPTIONS

SPLITTER

Modular Machines Inc. offers four styles of splitters with a wide range of features. These features are:

1. V-Trough Splitter for the Forester Light Series, or as a stand-alone unit handling blocks up to a diameter of 16”.
2. Standard Box Splitter used on the Forester 1000 & 2000 Series. These can handle blocks up to 20” in diameter and up to 24” in length.
3. Pedestal Splitter. This upright unit can handle blocks up to 48” in diameter. The Pedestal Splitter has one blade and the block sets on a rotating base. The Pedestal Splitter can be operated manually or set on automatic to split the entire block into wedges.
4. Hi-Production Continuous Feed Splitter. This unit has a set of 8 trays that can be filled with a single large block or a group of smaller blocks. When a tray is full, it indexes into the splitting area and the entire group of blocks is extruded through the splitter knives. This system can produce approximately 10 cords per hour.
5. Bulk Splitter. This unit fits directly under the wide body bulk infeed. Instead of blocks being tripped to the side, the block or group of blocks drops into the special splitter tray. This keeps the group aligned for splitting.

Features of the standard box splitter for the Forester Processor Line

1. Rugged design of the splitter frame
Our box frame design does not simply rely on the splitter beam for its strength. By
enclosing the entire unit in a box, the splitting forces are distributed and the blade,
instead of being connected only at the base, is housed in a frame that supports all ends
of the blades.
2. Splitting in sink with saw cut cycle
Because of the hi-production capability of the processor, the splitter has an oversized rod for rapid return of the plunger. Depending on the splitter configuration to achieve a five-second-or-less cycle, the minimum engine pack should be 50 HP with a 30 GPM pump for 2,500 PSI up to 90 HP for 4,000 PSI.
3. Adjustable splitter knife
The splitter knife is adjustable six inches vertically. This allows for the optimum sizing of the extruded block. In addition, with the full automatic system the positioning of the blade can be automatic, set from the height of the log clamp during the cutting operation.
4. Knife has removable blades
To extend the life of the blade we have made the leading edge of the knife removable. The easy-to-remove insert can be removed and sharpened later.
5. Incremental splitting
Our vertical blade always hits the block first. By being 1.5” wider than the other blades, the block is split in half and weakened before passing through the other blades.
6. Four, six, eight, or twelve-way splitting
The larger the block gets, the more knives are needed in order to avoid re-splitting. By having blade configuration options, one can choose the blade best suited for one’s area.

INCLINE - OFF LOAD CONVEYOR

As with all our system components, the incline conveyor can be mounted onto a road kit and operated as an autonomous unit. It can also be part of a complete processor.

1. This can be provided with its own engine kit or be plumed directly into the splitter or in-feed hydraulic system.
When used as a standalone unit we suggest that it be supplied with a 5 HP engine pack and the light road kit. In this configuration there is a mounting kit that uses the road kit frame to support the engine pack.
2. Built in 10-foot sections
By making the incline in sections, the design allows for two or three sections to be connected to make a much longer incline trough.
In addition when mounted on a processor frame, one section can be folded back
over the splitter so travel from sight to sight is made more convenient and safe.
3. Optional bulk or packager selector. This allows the operator to send firewood up the incline to bulk storage bins or direct it into the firewood grader and packager system.

LOG DECK

The Forester Processor log decks are made of 3x 8” tubing in 5 & 8’ lengths. Because these are also modular, they can easily be bolted to the infeed bed or infeed bed extension. Features of the log deck:

1. Optional hydraulic cylinders for folding up during travel
2. Optional log stops
These are simply pin stops that pop up after a log has been loaded into the infeed bed. When in the up position, the log deck can be run forward so logs that may be lying crooked on the deck can be straightened.
3. Optional automated infeed-load cam
The automated infeed-load cam simply rotates, flipping the log situated in the load area of the log deck arm into the infeed bed as soon as the previous one passes a photo eye sensor. This automation can significantly increase production by freeing the operator to do other work.
4. Optional group infeed trip arms
The group arm trip can be used only on the wide body infeed tray.

ENGINE PACK
Because there are so many engine pack options, we recommend that you decide the configuration of components desired and fit the pack to it. We will be glad to assist you in this.

STATIONARY FRAME OR ROAD KIT
As is the case with engine packs, the components and production goals dictate whether the unit will be portable or stationary, and determine the style and size of the frame it will be mounted on. You may want to decide if you will need to add features to the system in the future, as this will impact your initial choice. Remember you are the design engineer of your production and profits. We suggest that you carefully consider all the options before making your choice.

PRODUCTION SAW MILL CARRIAGE
Often the firewood operator has logs that could be more profitable as cants or rough lumber. By adding our saw module, you upgrade the profitability of the system without greatly increasing the cost. This upgrade allows you the operator to process portions or all of a log into firewood. Also the log ends can be trimmed and the log then turned into lumber. Even with this system, there is no waste, as the slabs with bark are turned into firewood. The lumber or cants produced bypass the firewood block trip and move onto a by- pass conveyor where it is side shifted onto a green chain for stacking ether manually or automatically. We believe that we have the fastest portable saw mill in the industry.

ACCESSORIES
Accessories may be the difference between just making a living and having a competitive edge in your market. For example, some operators would like to clean the sight and profit from what would otherwise be waste. With this in mind they may choose a hi-speed processor with the addition of production saw carriage & chipper. This combination gives you the opportunity to get a return from the entire tree. To help with a complete harvest concept, we are adding or about to introduce the following accessories.

Log loading boom
For those systems where the logs are brought to the landing and piled, the addition of a loading boom eliminates the need of secondary equipment. This is mounted directly adjacent to the splitter, and has a reach of up to 14 feet if mounted to the Forester 2000 frame.

1. Operator cab
The addition of the operator cab immediately over the splitter makes it convenient and comfortable to operate the processor in any type of weather.
2. Remote hand-held operators pendent
The remote-hand pendent gives the operator the freedom to operate the system from a loader or simply from a convenient position.
3. Chipper
Branches, tree tops and brush can be turned into chip and later sold for a variety of uses. We will soon be introducing a pelletizer that can make fuel pellets from the scraps of the logging sight. In addition, we will be introducing a lumber molding line that can turn trash chip into profitable lumber and moldings that look nice and can be fire retardant and even bug resistant.
Two by fours made from this have the strength of a natural softwood counterpart. They also have the added advantage of not having knots or splits. We feel that the improved appearance and durability of these will quickly catch on in the lumber industry.
The advantage for you as the field contractor is that you can compete with the larger distributors by reducing the big company overhead and longer shipping costs.
4. Field Pelletizer and Bagger
Another product line that will soon be introduced is a pelletizer and bagger. By adding this to the accessories mounted on the frame, you maximize your profit from both the processor and logging sight.
5. Fire Wood Bundler
We will also be introducing a short incline that feeds directly to an automatic grading bundler system. This system will allow you to choose bulk processing and feeding into dumpsters or packaging bundles for retail operations. Again your product-to-profit ratio skyrockets when labor is either greatly reduced or eliminated.