10. Under const.

                               

JANUARY 15th, 2015 UPDATE: 

I am pleased to announce that we are now an ACCREDITED BUSINESS under the Nova Scotia Better Business Bureau as well as an ACTIVE MEMBER under the Firewood Vendor's Association of Nova Scotia also found under Access Nova Scotia.

Please check out what consumers say about my business and way I do things under the Nova Scotia Better Business Bureau under Customer/Consumer Reviews

WOOD ISSUE UPDATE May 28th, 2015. This noted below is very important to read. And once you do, take heed and DO THE MATH!

After receiving several calls this week about companies; and in general, wood sellers, some registered with the Registry of Firewood Vendors in Halifax and surrounding areas, and then after a conversation with Measurement Canada referencing the same, I am appalled at the response on the matter. Classified as being sold as a 'UNIT', this so called practice is way less than a proper cord by MEASUREMENT CANADA STANDARDS and Measurement Canada informs me that this is LEGAL, even though it is not a proper cord based on a STACKED CORD of 128 cubic feet. When I look at this, I see TWO STANDARDS here and sadly, YOU, THE CONSUMER, you are the ones being SCREWED ONCE MORE by the way of Government. We need CONTROLS - not people being allowed to change the rules or say, 'it is legal as long as the customer is told it is a UNIT or some other wording letting them know it is NOT a PROPER CORD, all in all, being sold 'LEGALLY LESS' than a cord and in the process of that, not using the words 'CORD or STACKED CORD' What the hell is wrong with people? And here I thought Measurement Canada wanted to make this an even playing field.

Having ONCE AGAIN checked Measurement Canada's site on Firewood, the following ARE NOT CONSIDERED AS LEGAL MEASUREMENTS pertaining to FIREWOOD. (Short Cord, Face Cord, Thrown Cord, Processed Cord (for which a UNIT CORD TRULY IS coming in between 85 to maybe 100 cubic feet), apartment cord and other amounts not listed and are TOTALLY ILLEGAL MEASUREMENTS in CANADA. So, my question is, why suddenly is Measurement Canada in Nova Scotia allowing this? In my books, it is allowing others a path to SCREW the consumer. So, be on your toes, always insist on a 'PROPER STACKED CORD AMOUNT, and above all, get your calculator out and do the math before ordering short cords as 'UNITS' or any other method of description. Remember, a guaranteed cord is 128 cubic feet. On a $300.00 cord, based on 128 cubic feet, that literally works out at $2.43 a cubic foot. On a 'UNIT'  sold, that becomes anywhere from $3.17 to $3.52 per cubic feet. So, WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DOUBLE STANDARDS and GOVERNMENT. 


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In life there are NO easy solutions. We try counteracting this by making intelligent choices by, and based on the facts that we get proper and clear direction in our search for the proper answers. As for what is right, and for what is wrong for the Property Owner, it is he, or she, who should be the one that is in charge of making the correct decision in life as by what his, and her family needs are.














Please note: This is a maintained forum in which to present issues of concern involving issues pertaining to wood, and problems related to the firewood, firewood heating and firewood processing part of the industry. Please feel free to contact us with any issues of concern at any of the supplied contacts. More on Scammers and Tactics can be found on my other Website under my old name with links on this site. It is in your best interest to learn the things that does happen in the wood industry.
Thanks you.

Wood Sheriff Outline in contained info:

June 03/2102/ Scam Update in HRM.
Jan/27/2012/ Frank Update on comments.
June/04/2012/ My Consumer Report on the Kakki 1X37 Wood Processor I purchased.
June/04/2012/ Update on Scam in HRM reported above on June 03/2012.


June/03/2012 UPDATE on a SCAM recently pulled off in the Halifax area.
PLEASE NOTE: I have removed both of the names involved to go with all of the Email addresses other than the copy forwarded to myself. This letter was forwarded to a gentleman that was SCAMMED by the same individual last year. Sadly, this thing will keep happening if YOU, the CONSUMER DO NOT DO YOUR HOMEWORK in checking the BBB, The Registry of Joint Stocks, any and all contact information and avoid paying for wood BEFORE IT IS DELIVERED, DUMPED and ARE SATISFIED to your own standards. FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION - PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING EMAIL MESSAGES AND BEWARE OF THIS INDIVIDUAL POSING AS A REAL WOOD SUPPLIER WITH CREDIBILITY who advertises on Kijiji under over a dozen names in 8 different areas of Nova Scotia.


-----Original Message-----
From: ---------@ns.sympatico.ca [mailto:@ns.sympatico.ca]
Sent: May-31-12 5:28 PM
To: ----------@accesswave.ca
Subject: Firewood complaint

Hi ------,
Exactly what you described happened to me this week.  I ordered 4 cords of wood from a place listed on KIJIJI.  He comes in a big truck has me pay and sign a receipt before you drops it.  I thought that made sense since he could drop it and I not pay.  Anyways it was apparently in bins.  I could tell as soon as it was unloaded that it was not 4 cords.  Once piled up it was just over 2 cords of wood.  The company that got you is it "Willies Firewood" phone number 902-802-9913?  He is not answering his phone or returning my phone calls.
Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: ----------Home Email [mailto:@accesswave.ca]
Sent: May-31-12 9:49 PM
To: -----------@ns.sympatico.ca
Cc: 'Frank Rhyno'
Subject: RE: Firewood complaint

Well ---;
This is how that guy operates...I have since found out that his name is Arland Gave and lives at the junk yard plywood fortress on the end of Bissett Road in Cow Bay. You need to report to Measurement Canada and the Better Business Bureau. They won't do anything but at least it's on file. You will have a tough time recouping anything from that guy....he's a known crook. He has about 10-15 ads on Kijiji using different names such as Beacons, Big Charlies, Franks, Sonny's, A&G, etc. etc.

Willies is actually the name of the old scrap yard where he operates out from.

He has at least 10 cells phones and a guy who used to work with him told me he sits in his living room with the phones lined off and waits for a call. He avoids answering if he knows its number that he recently sent a delivery to..when you finally get him he calls you a F@#$%^&* asshole and hangs up.

No one such as police or BBB or measurement Canada will do anything about him. I tried to run havoc with him on Kijiji but it caused me more grief than it was worth. Kijiji seems to be afraid of him for whatever reason. He has ripped a lot of people off and continues to do so. Please post on my Kijiji discussion area. It may help others steer away from him.

I cc'ed a guy named Frank Rhyno. He's another supplier that's battling it out with Arland. In fact, Arland stole his name by registering it himself, Franks Antique Tractors and Firewood.

Nonetheless let me know if you want to know more...

-----Original Message-----
From: @ns.sympatico.ca [mailto:@ns.sympatico.ca]
Sent: May-31-12 5:28 PM
To: @accesswave.ca
Subject: Firewood complaint

Exactly what you described happened to me this week.  I ordered 4 cords of wood from a place listed on KIJIJI.  He comes in a big truck has me pay and sign a receipt before you drops it.  I thought that made sense since he could drop it and I not pay.  Anyways it was apparently in bins.  I could tell as soon as it was unloaded that it was not 4 cords.  Once piled up it was just over 2 cords of wood.  The company that got you is it "Willies Firewood" phone number 902-802-9913?  He is not answering his phone or returning my phone calls.
Tim
****************************


From: [mailto:@accesswave.ca]
Sent: June-04-12 11:16 PM
To: Frank Rhyno
Subject: Fwd: Firewood complaint

FYI
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
****PLEASE NOTE: I remove all direct Email links and names from complaints and correspondence. (Frank)
From:  Name removed!
Date: 4 June, 2012 10:48:05 PM ADT
To: Home Email <Name removed >
Subject: Re: FW: Firewood complaint
Hi there,
Thanks for the e-mail.  Actually I filed a complaint with the BBB last week and received a reply with my file number today.  I also called the police last week and chatted with them.  They felt they could not get involved since it is a civil matter that could only be handled by going through small claims court.  They said that would prove difficult to accomplish because I do not know his name or his real address to serve him court papers.  As well they pointed out that I would have a hard time collecting any funds from him.

I called the local by-law officer for help.  He told me to contact Measurement Canada also.  He called my wife back later with the phone number for them but she does not know where she put it.  I haven't called the by-law officer back again for the numbers.

My next door neighbour has two retired RCMP officers doing some work for her.  I discussed the problem with them.  They pretty much told me the same thing as the officer told me.  However, they encouraged me to go right down to the police station to help me to set up a kind of sting operation so as to get his real identity.  Their idea was to have a friend of mine order some wood from the guy and then to have the police on standby so that when he shows up with the wood they show up too and check his identification and get his licence plate and to check the wood order.  They said, of course, my friend would turn down the wood shipment.  Anyways I haven't decided what I am going to do yet.  But just a little information for the two of you.

Thanks for your time.
Tim
*****************************************************
---- Name removed! Home Email < > wrote:

Tim:
If you want to try to do something about your experience look over Franks
email and you can decide from there. Measurement Canada seem to be working
something on this guy…
Td

From: Frank Rhyno [mailto:franksbestbuywood@xcountry.tv]
Sent: June-04-12 9:30 AM
To: mailto:
Subject: FW: Firewood complaint
Hi Td;

I do not feel it is proper for me to contact this Tim fellow, but this
response is worthy of you making contact on the enclosed letter to the Feds
on the matter. Erica is the one totally in charge and the only one in a
capacity to push incidents forward through Governmental Regulations. I am
going further with this myself and strongly suggest if this Tim wants
answers and solutions, he contact Measurement Canada and REQUEST them to
come over and do a proper measurement. From there, once that has been done,
he should then wager three complaints as (1) Registry of Joint Stocks
whereas it is against the law to ADVERTISE and CONDUCT business under a
business name not REGISTERED. (2) Issue the complaint; regardless of the
waste of time, to the BBB for file. It would be entered as an ongoing
complaint as not settled by someone operating illegally in the Province not
using a proper registered business name. (3) Contact the police after the first
two steps have been taken. I do agree with Erica. However, if he signed a
receipt, it should also be faxed to Erica, the BBB and the Registry of Joint
Stock for file and complaint procedures.

From that point, once that is/was done, I do think a call to the TV and
Radio stations are more than in order. Also, have him Contact Frank Magazine
and have Amanda contact me or however he wants to address it. These things
WILL NOT STOP unless people are willing to step up to the place and swing
with the bat.

And for the record, I am into this and I want this bastard before the year
is out. If this Tim wants to contact me, I am open to any and all
correspondence. I will assure you that this is one time I have placed myself
in a position to try make a difference.

Frank _____  
                    ****************************************

From: Erica [mailto:Erica.@]
Sent: June-04-12 9:07 AM
Subject: RE: Firewood complaint

Hello Frank,

The proper steps for Tim to take would have been to write down the license
plate of the delivery truck, obtain a receipt, and call Measurement Canada
to have us measure the wood. We would have been able to provide Tim with
statement of the amount of wood received at which point we would have
recommended that he file a police report. The more police reports that are
filed, the more likely the police will take the time to deal with this
matter.

I have contacted Kijiji to request an information/warning notice to
consumers to be posted in the firewood section.

Regards. 
Erica
District Manager
50 Brown Avenue, Dartmouth NS B3B 1X8 |
Telephone | Téléphone 902-426-9982
Facsimile | Télécopieur 902-426-1000
Teletypewriter | Téléimprimeur 1-866-694-8389
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
_____________________________________________
From:   Poirier,   
Sent:   Monday, June 4, 2012 8:19 AM
To:      Erica:
Cc:     Belliveau, Michel:  
Subject:        RE: Firewood complaint. 

Hi Erica,

Emails below for your information and possible action re. MC presence on
Kijiji and possibly forwarding the information provided to our RCMP contact.
Also, do you want to respond to Mr. Rhyno?

Michel:         FYI, Mr Rhyno is now registered with the Registry of
Firewood Vendors, but he is also quite vocal on firewood measurement issues
and has a history vs. Mr. Gaves.
******************************************

Hi Jean;

This was sent to me by my friend Todd who has responded to Tim in the manner
set out directly below. I have removed the original addresses and names, but

I am willing to pass the original on to you if needed. They were removed
because I am posting it on my site.

I think reading the original letter to him below from the 'Screwed over
customer like he was also' is worth the read. Personally, I feel bad for
these people being ripped off and somehow and someway with the resources
available to your department I see no reason why some serious efforts ARE
NOT MADE to stop this son of a bitch. Sadly, he makes it bad for everyone.
The worst is, ' by doing nothing it only makes his tactics stronger, bolder
and unstoppable.'

As for Kijiji, there has to be some way to bring this form of advertising
also into a format that is both honest and comforting to people. However;
and I have said this repeatedly, as long as people make themselves the
targets by trying to buy cheap and make deals, the Neanderthals will not
stop unless there are Government Regulations pursued that are made to
protect the unsuspecting people of society. I do think the system owes
people that much.

I also think it is time for someone to step up to the plate in this Province
and do something that will put people as this out of business once and for
all. Nothing will change unless those in the position place this forward as
important with the idea to TRY to make it happen. 
Frank Rhyno
 ***************************************************
I suggest the above is all the more reason to read the insert below.







A few truthful comments from me:

I would like to personally thank you for following us to our new updated website. There are a couple of things I would like to address beginning with the January 27th/2012 comments below. In the process of that, I would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused to you by the thoughtlessness of the individuals responsible for this personal attack on me in trying to gain my business and yours. I would like to further this, by adding that their inability to function in a business community in an honest manner, clearly identifies to how low in the ditch these individuals will crawl to prove just how crooked they are. To me, it clearly identifies, and shows the true calibre and colour of the people that they truly are. It is sad to see just how far they will go to continue their evil and misrepresented methods, while shading the real truth, by their crooked and outrageous actions. Simply put, I suggest all persons dealing with the now 'NEW' owners of my former name, 'FRANK's BEST BUY FIREWOODBE CAREFUL and protect yourselves by all means possible. I truly confess, if you do trust them, you have been warned and YOU ARE GOING TO NEED all the protection possible. The spots on a leopard do not change with age. They just get craftier and unpredictable.
************************

JUNE/04/2012; HAKKI  1X37  FIREWOOD PROCESSOR SOLD IN CANADA.
This section is now under way and will be completed over the next week or so with corrected and furthered updates of the past 12 months incidents with this machinery.  
Note that this is not quite completed and proofed.

To some, this may not be of importance. However, to me it is and when you look at the flaws on, and with this piece of equipment, one should question the common sense factor of the Federal Government for allowing these machines to be shipped into Canada with the poor design and safety features that ARE NOT IN PLACE. Whether it is under some form of Trade Agreement and Import Agreement pact, the issues are simple. These are poorly designed machines with many flaws for use in the wood industry in Canada. Perhaps in Norway or different countries where softwood is a main issue, they would be great. Here, they are more trouble than they are worth. As for the comment to me by the SELLING DEALER as, 'If you have a safety issue, design issue or flaw issue, contact the manufacturer. It is our job to sell the machine. All other issues are not our concern.' This was a direct quote to me on May 11th/2010. Since that time, all issues and problems have been well documented as well as complaints made to the N.S. Department of Labour and the Federal Government for investigation into the quality and lack of SAFETY FEATURES pertaining to these junkers as I personally classify them.

Over the past year I have had many discussions with people who do own these machines. Don't get me wrong. They do work. However, the issues are many in design, convenience and safety. Simply put, 'in my opinion, they are damn dangerous machines.' I will be enclosing a series of pictures describing and showing both manufacture flaws and safety concerns. When you see one of these operating close up, it is no wonder why there should be concerns. Like any machinery, there should be every possible safety design in place. It is not hard to understand that broken machinery is repairable. However, the human body in many cases is not. If it is a lost finger, hand, arm, smashed face, crushed hand, arm, foot or any functioning part of the human body, more will never be as was. The question is simple. Being so many of these on the market, it is normal to think it is safe when many of the flaws are directly related to both safety and working around a machine that is safe?

There have been many people that I have spoken to with these machines that have stated many of the same problems are of concern. The one that gets me is the amount of MARK-UP or PROFIT MARGIN the dealer has both on the Machine and Parts. What I have learned is that if you want to maintain this machine, learn to find parts OUTSIDE of the SELLING DEALERS. A simple thing as belts are three times the normal cost as through other sources. the conveyor parts the same. Bearings and labour if at the dealer is outrageous. As for simplicity, do as I do, maintain it yourself, source your parts from other locals because 90% of the parts for these machines are able to be sourced thru other local businesses and parts places for less than half of dealer prices.
******************************************************  


Different views of the hole that could have removed my face or other parts when a piece of jammed wood flew up out of the cage from the cutting knife and actually went through the protective metal cage. Sadly, a machine like this with working hydraulics and a protective cage made literally out of TIN is totally ridiculous, not to mention stupid. Also, when the cage is up to REMOVE jammed wood, notice the position of the saw blade and chain. The chain on the bar NEVER STOPS unless you go around and take the power unit (PTO) out of gear and bring all of the moving parts to a complete stop. Imagine, they have the nerve to say you can cut a cord of wood an hour. Simply put, that is the biggest load of crap since the Exxon Valdez ran a ground. Hey.....we all know the story on that one. So, shutting the whole operation down creates wasted time. However, it is the only safe way to remove jammed wood or wood that is or has become criss-crossed in the drop channel.  Even if you decide to try and remove a jam or something with the saw running, the conveyor belt still runs unless you shut that down also. If you don't, the conveyor still goes. Any questions, please do not hesitate. I do think these are valid issues pertaining to safety and a lot of flaws on this machine. Please note the series of pictures below pertaining to the direct working area around and near the saw cockpit. A mechanic by trade, welder and autobody technician retired, this kind of machine makes me look and question why the lack of safety features. As interesting as it is, the next model up (considerably more expensive) does have many of these changes incorporated in different way as the saw blade stopping when the pull down handle for the bar and chain is reversed. 

The picture to the bottom right is a view of the cutting table adjacent to the hydraulic loading table.  Sitting this way, the equipment looks fine. however, it isn't running yet.


*********************************************************************************

When you look at the bottom left picture, you can clearly see the bar and chain totally visible. consider that when a piece of wood jams in the drop channel or goes crooked in the drop channel, again to remove it or straighten it safely the machine should be taken out of gear. To do this again wastes precious time. However, when you consider the bragging posts by the dealer and manufacture that, 'this machine will cut a cord of wood an hour' trust me, that is hog wash. This can only happen if NOTHING GOES WRONG and two people are running the operation. I have cut several hundred cords of wood, corrected many of the things wrong with this piece of junk and ONE PERSON CANNOT cut a cord of wood an hour. On a normal run alone and with nothing going wrong, the best you will hope for is two cord in three hours. Then there is another issue. I have ran power saws all of my life. When you consider the amount of chain oil used per cord, it is astounding of the waste of oil because the chain never stops. Cut the flow of the oil back and then you burn off the chain groove and either have to reverse the blade or replace it and the chain. Simply put.....too many moving parts when they shouldn't be moving. It is a machine. It needs lubrication....and plenty of it.

Also on the issue of the feed channel and open passage way under the saw, be advised that they advertise the machine will cut a 14 inch piece. It will if it is a perfectly straight piece of wood and you can get it through the feed channel below the saw without hitting the cage opening. If the wood is not straight, one has to be careful that the wood DOES NOT bump into the edge of the cage in front of the saw. I have had it happen several times because of knots on wood, crooked wood and so on when the piece of wood comes forward. The metal is about 1/8 inch and flimsy as hell and easily bends pushing the metal into the saw blade and chain. when it happens, shut her down, straighten the metal, take the chain off and go re-sharpen it because you will have just burred up all of the teeth. Been there, done that one about a dozen times and no matter how careful you are, it can still happen.

On the opening of the cockpit channel where the wood drops down, it is also important to remember that even if you put the sliver lever on the left side into neutral and the wood goes crooked or refuses to properly go in the channel as supposed to be the chain is still active and running. As for the push ram, I personally don't trust it because it is a machine and one without enough safety precautions unless you close it down. The cutting bar is major sharp and the least slip can give you one heck of a cut. As for the protective cage supposedly designed to keep you safe, and when the handle on the left is placed in neutral position, again the chain is still running and there is nothing but faith to keep you safe from the push ram. I have built my own diesel wood splitter several years ago and for a home made machine there is more protection than this factory made piece of junk. These are just some of the smaller issues on this machine. 

On mine, in 300 cords of wood in one year, I have replaced 5 bars and a total of 11 chains due to a multitude of reasons from the metal on the bottom of the hydraulic reservoir being driving into the chain and bar by a piece of wood or the chain flying off for no reason. Sadly, when the chain does come off, it ends up in the splitting channel and usually in the process of an automatic split where the chain goes into the splitter channel and ends up being bent, crushed or just beat all to hell. The piece of metal I am speaking of is just on the left side of the chain and bar that meets where the rounded part of the reservoir comes down to the feed belt or conveyor. So, when this machine is advertised as a machine capable of cutting and processing a cord of wood an hour, I strongly suggest ANYONE CONSIDERING ONE, make sure that the dealer can load, cut, split and process a full and proper cord of wood. If he refuses to do it, he knows it cannot be done. Trust me......DO NOT TAKE THEIR WORD ON WHAT THE MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF BECAUSE THE MACHINE IS NOT CAPABLE OF THIS FEAT AS A ONE PERSON OPERATION BASED ON THE HOUR PER CORD AS PROMOTED. (remember.....a ground laying or standard cord of unprocessed wood is 128 cubic feet. That IS NOT a cut and split cord of wood. To get a processed cut and split cord of wood, you will have to cut 168 cubic feet of wood to make 128 cubic feet of wood as based on stats by Measurement Canada. One of those must be calculated as being one for resale and to be sold and piled as 128 cubic feet. To do that, you will have to run 1 1/4  to 1 1/3 cords of wood through this machine.) IT CANNOT BE DONE IN ONE HOUR!  IF IT IS ADVERTISED AS PROCESSING  a cord of wood an hour get it in a written guarantee before investing in a piece of over-rated junk like this as I did. There are many more issues as yet to be discussed further down.

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So, at this time you wonder, is this machine a problem or am I exaggerating? I only ask you read and then be the judge yourself. I was in my yard yesterday working when a gentleman came in and asked to see my machine. we talked extensively as I pointed out the problems that have been and are associated with this machine. As he said....and I quote, 'my son and I are looking at buying one of these. We have about two hundred acres that will generate a lot of wood.' My answers were simple, if you want to waste your money, send it....give it to the province. They need it more than the people behind this Hakki junk. By the time we were finished, he was aware of all of the problems associated with the machine. when t was running, he too was floored by the issues of chain never stopping, wood jamming, over heating and other things I am about to disclose. He thanked me and said he would not be buying one. My thoughts toward the local dealer for their lies on this piece of junk were also not pleasant and cleared it by stating hell would freeze over before I would buy anything from the crooks they proved themselves to be. My trailer episode with them was another clear indication of their truth. when you buy a trailer as a  2011 and it turns out to be a 2010 left over that they couldn't sell, and the paperwork was doctored to reflect otherwise, it shows credibility as toward what their character really is. Oh yes...the trailer went back after much deliberation back and forth and the deal cancelled. No matter, my story continues.

Nothing the picture below on the feed conveyor belt with the open side, as the wood moves forward, there is NO WAY to stop wood from pushing outward through the open space. when it happens, you must stop the work, reverse the conveyor, pop a pulp hook into the wood and pull it back and guide it INTO the feed channel to the saw. If no pulp hook is used, then you must wrestle with it. However, in the process of reversing the machine, then the back of the wood jams into the feed auger and creates another problem with the next piece of wood that has already because entangled in the mess. Note the two large pieces on the ground. when reversed, then the conveyor kicks the wood backward and it falls to the ground off of the machine creating yet more work.

When this machine was built, it should have had a guard built in between the conveyor rollers to keep wood from going sideways or pushing up into the 'so called' covering or protective cage which then proves to be another problem on wood. However, the machine is great for softwood as discussed before or  wood UNDER 9 inches in diameter. Anything over this, headaches become part of the issue. As for the wood on the ground, go on, wrestle with the wood. you will find that for one person it is a problem. So, when you finally decide a heart attack is not worth the body slamming of an eight foot piece of wood, in comes the tractor and chain to lift it up on the machine. Wait....another waste of precious time; not to mention more work and wasted effort. As those two large pieces of wood lay, both became positioned where they are because of the feed conveyor jamming the wood in between the rollers. This is another downfall since there is no guard to keep the wood in place. This area had to be modified to correct the faults of the machine. Do I get paid for this extra time and work. NO!


                 


Using the picture directly above again, I want to also point out another problem. For a hydraulic feed table that cost 5 grand, one would think it too would be designed better than what it is. Note the two feed augers on the back side where the rubber side slide rollers are. this is literally a poor design.Note the angle of the feed augers. I have changed the angles and still we endure the same problems. If the wood IS NOT PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, and if there is a knot, indentation, mounded part on the wood, the wood will jam between the auger feed catching on the 3 inch sleeve tube extending from the feed table itself. when this happens, again we must get into a Hulk Hogan wrestling match with the wood. You can reverse it and most times this procedure will be unsuccessful causing the wood to just lay there jammed, caught between the rollers and auger feeds, or fall off to the side as to where you see the wood. Also note the brackets on the table that were factory welded in place. I questioned these when purchased. As the dealer said, 'it is an option for extra rollers.' On this one, it really looks like it came in with them already there. You could see where something was removed.  I questioned that and was explained that they had installed a pair to see if it made a difference. As was then disclosed, the option would be extra and that they did have them in stock. I questioned this then and still do now. Would I trust them to be telling the truth? Not for a damn minute.

Another flaw on the table is where the wood rolls into the holding channel housing the three uprights that are to hold the wood in place. This is another poor design since the bottom of the  uprights are too short and allows wood to either roll over the top therefore doubling and sometimes tripling up on the feed augers. This creates yet another problem since you CANNOT safely move the wood ahead. When it happens, again comes a new wrestling match as you try to get the wood back, or off of the table and conveyor. It gets worse. Note the area I am pointing to. Just below it to the right is another issue that has become dangerous in many incidents as the wood rolls down and falls in front of the area where there is no continued steel to hold and keep the wood from falling through. I moved the table forward to avoid this and this then created another problem by putting the feed auger guide rollers lower than the machine rollers. When you do this, the wood then jams against them and creates and other jam wasting yet more time.

Noting the second picture below, you can see the square tube that I made to off set this problem. However, this also is without problems since being the wood is not always perfectly straight, it can and has jammed between the belt and piece. Is there a safe solution? Not really. It is just poorly designed. No matter how the table or machine is positioned, these problems are encountered.  When a piece jams, again the work stops and adjustments and wrestling becomes part of the task. On the other side of the coin, this area is your work area and if you DO NOT find a way to keep the wood from falling through, you can count on the hydraulic hoses being damaged, your toes getting smashed, or worse yet, being hit in the legs as the wood advances from the auger feed. What I find interesting is that the 'so called book of instructions' fail to address any of these flaws. However, it is real good in telling you what not to do and what there is no warranty for. So there is no confusion, falling and jammed wood has broken the hydraulic lines 5 times last year. Wait....just another expense.



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The picture directly below is another fun place. We spoke of the amount of chain oil used. Well, this is another good indication of waste. First, the sawdust gets so oil soaked that it will not properly exit the exhaust chute. Note the two different colours of the sawdust. Once the chute is cleaned, the sawdust will exit for several cuts. the build up of chain oil then clogs the channel because the sawdust is wet and will not slide or blow out. This then creates a jam up problem. Above this chute is another place you cannot see. the direct exit off of the chain into the protective chain chute is about 1 inch wide and about 1 1/2 inches deep. As soon as the sawdust gets wet, it begins to build up UNDER the chain in the smaller chute. This then creates another problem causing the sawdust to clog and run against the chain. All of a sudden, the sawdust does not exit and will build up into the drop channel as the wood is cut. when this happens, it falls under the machine and gets into the slit wood as it goes through the cutter and splitter and will eventually end up on the truck in a person's wood. Is there a solution? Yes.....DON'T BUY ONE OF THESE PIECES OF JUNK!

In the picture below, it clearly shows the build-up of sawdust underneath the machine whereas this problem causes the sawdust to drop under the machine rather than properly exit the machine. On mine, the problem had gotten so bad that the exit chute HAD TO BE REMOVED. If not, the machine was continually being shut down on the PTO to get inside both channel exits to get the sawdust out. NEWSFLASH.....more wasted time. and how this machine can be advertised as being able to process a cord of wood an hour for and by one person does elude me. Simply put, 'There is not way in hell that this is possible.' No matter, the sawdust has to be removed under the machine several times. If not, it builds up onto the side covering the hydraulic lines inside of the protective cage on the below picture.
As in the next picture below, you can clearly see the result of the problem in exiting pertaining to the sawdust. In a way, much of the demo clips are like the Storage Wars Program on television. All Staged and done to make the program look better. as a matter of fact, so good that innocent people buy these pieces of junk hoping they will produce and perform as shown. funny tho; did you ever wonder why many of these programs or clips are always done on pavement and without sawdust and regular working conditions? I do now. I see the junk for what it is. also, if you notice the build-up of sawdust dust......it clings to everything because of the mount of oil in it.
I really like the next picture because it truly demonstrates a major flaw in the machine. This is a shot of the picture directly behind the cutting bar in front of the exit conveyor belt. This is yet another aggravating flaw considering this mess of crap is left-over chippings and pieces from the cutting bar. This continually builds up under the machine,and if not cleaned every 5 minutes or so, it will hamper moving the exit conveyor up and down, as well as side to side. What is worse, it will build up and finally prevent the chute from being moved at all. What I have found is the following; to remove this debris in ONE CUT CORD, it will take about 10 to 12 times. The exit chute sawdust cleaning from both channels, another time about the same. WAIT!!!!!! This is also included in the machine being to cut one cord per hour. Mmmmmm....does this mean we should be using a stop watch for timing so we can eliminate all of the other wasted time and work. Hell....they never told me that and totally neglected to point out these little flaws. On top of that, the build-up still comes from another place as demonstrated by the next picture causing another series of issues yet to be pointed out.

Directly ahead of the black hose that is behind the conveyor motor is another headache. considering the conveyor chute is closed in for safety, we have a major time consuming area when the jam problem happens. As the wood goes through the splitter and exits; along with the debris of which some eventually ends up in the load, some of the debris will fall off of the end and the carry blades on the conveyor belt will actually allow them to drop down on the safety opening protector (in the picture below where you can see a piece of debris) and go back inside of the chute. This did happen here and what resulted was the blades broke the piece of debris and jammed part up top and the rest ended up being jammed down inside at the bottom next to the motor for the conveyor.

Here is the neat part. In their wisdom toward safety, there is no way to get to the jam unless you take the conveyor out or off of the truck, move the truck ahead and fold up the conveyor to release the pressure and jam on the belt. again, this is more wasted time. when the jam occurs, the system will bypass the exit hydraulics and keep working otherwise. Other times, a jam will cause the belts to squeal and one must shut the machine down. To get the piece of debris out can take as much as several minutes again wasting 5 to 10 minutes of cutting time. Wait......do we use the stop watch here. So, how does this machine cut a cord an process a cord of wood an hour? After going on two years, I have never bettered a cord in 1 1/2 hours by myself. Even with two of us, it cannot be done.

Another one that happened to me this winter was that some sawdust and debris was in the chute and stuck there. It froze. I was unaware that there was anything left in the chute. That was an experience since the wet sawdust welded itself to the metal. I remember the day well because it too almost two hours to get the damn thing working.
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Note the chute exit below. The mouth of the conveyor safety chute is a real problem as it is. No, I have not removed it YET! However, a few interesting things happen here, as you can see by the jammed piece of debris,  the safety mouth is all bent. this is from multiple jammed pieces that happened from time to time. This machine was three months old when these pictures were taken and things happened. Since then, I could write a book. No natter, another problem not thought of in this tremendous design is fly back wood. sometimes when the chute is going fast, wood has flew back and jammed in the mouth. this also must be removed since the machine again will by-pass the system.

One of the things I want to draw your attention to is the opening on the right. Notice the shiny metal where the paint has disappeared. This is from the conveyor belt continually working its way to the right. In the process of that; and no matter how much you adjust it, it happens, sooner of later the metal flaps designed to carry the wood bind up as the lodge against the metal and jam. this then causes the conveyor belt to stop as the system once again by-passes. Hey....all this takes time and cuts into that cord of wood an hour which CANNOT be done by one person.


Below in the two pictures is the area directly below the splitting chute where the jams continually happen due to debris feeding back through the closed in exit chute. you can clearly see the debris caught in there that I wrote about in the picture above. When this happens, be prepared to both waste time and be patient because you will become frustrated quickly. If you have one of these pieces of junk and none of this has happened to you, congrats. It is apparent you didn't get the Friday built machine or the lemon in disguise. For safety, the machine and PTO must be shut down. If not, there would be a kick back on the dislodging process when the conveyor was freed up.

Below is a different angle of one of the first pictures showing the so called protective cage housing and covering the work area. As before, this is junk and nothing here is designed for safety looking at 18 gauge metal. when you consider the force of the push ram, the speed of the spilt, the tonnage and pressure, what Neanderthal would devise this as a safety cage and perceive it that way? Another interesting point, this machine is not supposed to be able to cut, split or work if the cage is not down all the way. Wrong again. if the chute is pulled to the work side all the way, you lift the top, it will not go down all the way unless you straighten the angle of the chute and lower the cage. however, the cage does not insure safety because the machine WILL FUNCTION with the cage cover not all the way down. Remember, the chain NEVER stops.
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the picture below is a closer look at the work area we spoke of in the first of this composition. Note several things: (a) the mess from the amount of chain oil this piece of junk goes through. The work area becomes quite slippery adding a note of danger. (b) the drop on the saw blade extends BELOW the hydraulic tank and opening. For this, if you put a large piece through; and as discussed before, it jams on the edge on the bottom left just below the black edge of the safety cage, the ear on the metal is pushed forward into the saw blade and chain. However, the danger here is that the chain is going as the wood is advanced. We encountered issues that when the larger wood makes contact, the chain will fly off from coming in contact with the wood and can, and in my case, has bent two bars. (c) The access build-up of oil soaked sawdust is unbelievable. I have steamed off (pressure washed with 3500psi) my machine several times and you cannot stop the mess. If you cut back on the oil flow, be prepared to buy chains and bars. You can only reverse them once. and the chains, you can only sharpen them so many times. however, once bent and the links run out of trueness, forget it because you will teatr up the end of the bar from the bent chain links.
In the picture directly below and where I am pointing, this is the trouble area when the wood hits it. Once it does, it will drive it directly into the moving chain. however, if the chain was not moving or going while the rest of the machine is idle, this would not be a problem in several ways. Also, inside of this area is the other smaller exit chute directly below the chain. Note the build-up of the oil soaked sawdust and how it is partially closed off.

On top of this, there is another issue. The handle that directly controls the pull down procedure or cutting procedure is made of a thin round one inch tube made from about 24gauge round metal. Bent in several directions to manoeuvre the cage and methods of how it is designed to work, within two months mine literally cracked and broke in two. The worst thing about the handle is that when you have a saw or blade jam while sawing wood, there is no way to remove it unless again you disengage the PTO and manually remove it.
In the picture below, you can clearly see the conveyor path to the open channel for the cutting procedure. The interesting thing here is that here is another conveyor belt that one cannot keep running proper. It has to be constantly adjusted. On another note, the belt as it comes off and goes around, it actually bends up in the center and ends up causing path problems as it revolves.
This picture below is what I find really interesting. How does one define and decide what this means. This is how one is supposed to understand the functions of this machine. To me, the Neanderthal who designed this really did not do a very good job. Oh, I have read the booklet. however, it does not discuss the real problems with this machine. And this is only some of them. There will be more to follow.

Below are the foot controls for splitting and reversing the log feed procedures.
There are many other issues here and they will be updated when I have more time to devote to this project. all in all, I strongly suggest looking at other machines and alternatives.






10. The Wood Sheriff