At Blockbuster Firewood Processors, we’re committed to continuous improvement, and our latest enhancements to our Firewood Cleaner demonstrate this dedication. Through careful engineering and customer feedback, we’ve refined our already robust cleaner to deliver even better performance and user experience.
Why is a Firewood Cleaner Important for Your Operation?
A quality firewood cleaner offers numerous benefits that directly impact your bottom line:
- • Enhanced Customer Satisfaction – There isn’t a single customer who wouldn’t prefer less debris (snow, rocks, dirt) in their firewood.
- • Faster Seasoning – Clean firewood will dry/season faster, improving your inventory turnover.
- • Reduced Post-Delivery Cleanup – Less time spent cleaning up after dropping off a load means more deliveries per day.
- • Improved Product Sorting – Ability to sort firewood that may need to be re-split or package the right amount of kindling in packaged wood—ensuring your customers get the exact sized firewood they desire.
- • Competitive Advantage – Gives you a step up on the competition, providing one more reason for customers to choose your product.
- • Increased Profitability – Happy customers equal repeat business and the ability to command a premium price for a premium product.
Optimized Design for Maximum Efficiency
Our engineering team has implemented several key improvements to enhance the cleaner’s functionality. The newly redesigned infeed trough features subtle but important contour adjustments that ensure smoother firewood flow into the cleaning drum. This seemingly minor change makes a significant difference in maintaining consistent operation and reducing material hangups.
Strategic Motor Placement
After a thorough engineering analysis, we’ve relocated the drive motor to the exiting side of the guard and chain. This modification offers multiple benefits:
- • Enhanced protection for both the motor and hydraulic hoses
- • Improved accessibility for maintenance
- • Easier chain tensioning from ground level
- • Simplified drum exchange process for multi-drum operations
Versatile Height Adjustment
The cleaner maintains its impressive adaptability with adjustable discharge heights ranging from 4 to 7 feet, accommodating various loading scenarios and processing setups. Our new removable and adjustable outfeed chute provides additional flexibility for different operating environments.
Optimal Cleaning Performance
Through extensive testing, we’ve determined that a 4-degree operational angle provides the ideal balance for effective cleaning. This specific angle ensures:
- • Proper tumbling action for thorough debris removal
- • Optimal firewood flow-through rate
- • Maximum cleaning efficiency without compromising throughput
Timing Matters: When to Clean
For optimal results, there are two primary cleaning windows:
- • Immediately After Splitting: Removes fresh debris and bark while the wood is being processed, potentially reducing seasoning time.
- • Pre-Delivery Cleaning: After seasoning and before loading onto delivery trucks, ensuring the cleanest possible product for your customers. This is typically the most common time to clean firewood. During the seasoning (drying) process, the wood will shrink slightly and bark will tend to loosen from the wood. This is an ideal time to run it through the cleaner, delivering the cleanest firewood to your customers.
Enhanced Safety and Maintenance Features
The latest design includes:
- • Tighter, more adjustable guards that better conform to the drum
- • Improved protection for hydraulic components
- • Simplified drum change process for those using different drum spacing to sort firewood by size
- • Maintained ground-level serviceability for ease of operation
Built with the Operator in Mind
Whether you’re feeding directly from a processor or using a skid loader, the Blockbuster Firewood Cleaner integrates seamlessly into your operation. These latest improvements reflect our commitment to providing equipment that not only performs exceptionally but also offers the durability and serviceability that professional operators demand.
By continuously refining our designs based on real-world feedback and engineering insights, we ensure that Blockbuster equipment remains at the forefront of firewood processing technology. Contact us today to learn how our enhanced Firewood Cleaner can elevate your operation’s efficiency and product quality.
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A Legacy of Excellence Continues Under New Leadership
In a significant development for the forestry equipment industry, Blockbuster Inc., renowned for its premium firewood processors and accessories, has announced a change in ownership. This transition marks the end of an era as founders Tim and Kerry Batey step into retirement after dedicating over 35 years to building their company into an industry powerhouse.
Continuing a Tradition of Quality
The acquisition ensures that Blockbuster’s respected product lineup will continue to operate under its established brand name. The new ownership brings nearly five decades of industry expertise to the table, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining and enhancing Blockbuster’s reputation for excellence.
Leadership Transition
To ensure seamless operations, Jeff Huber has been appointed to spearhead sales and operations for the Blockbuster product line. With 20 years of experience in sales and engineering, Huber brings valuable expertise to this role. Furthermore, in this Blockbuster Inc new chapter, key employees will remain with the company, ensuring continuity and maintaining the high standards customers have come to expect.
Looking Forward
The new ownership has expressed their dedication to preserving Blockbuster’s legacy while exploring opportunities for growth and innovation. This commitment to excellence suggests a bright future for the brand that has been synonymous with quality firewood processing equipment for over three decades.
About Blockbuster Inc.
For more than 35 years, Blockbuster Inc. has stood as a beacon of quality in the firewood processing industry. Based in Washington, Iowa, the company has built its reputation on manufacturing superior equipment, including firewood processors, cleaners, conveyors, and grapples. Their commitment to unparalleled workmanship and American manufacturing has made them a trusted name in the industry. Learn more about us.
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In the world of firewood processing, efficiency and innovation are key. Blockbuster firewood processors have integrated an air return system that simplifies operations and enhances overall performance. This blog will explore the components, benefits, and troubleshooting tips for this air system, ensuring operators can maximize their machine’s potential.
Key Components of the Air System
The air system in Blockbuster processors (18-20, 18-20+, 22-20 and 22-22) consists of several essential components that work together to optimize functionality. Understanding these components is crucial for effective operation and maintenance.
- • Compressor: The heart of the air system, responsible for generating the necessary air pressure (135psi shut-off, 115psi turn-on).
- • 2-Chamber Air Tank: Stores compressed air for use in various functions within the processor.
- • Splitting Cylinder: Utilizes air pressure for returning/retracting the cylinder and this is plumbed into the small section of the air tank and can see pressures of 300-500psi when the cylinder is extended.
- • Dump Tray (22-22 only): Utilizes air to extend the dump tray cylinder so it automatically returns to the “up” position when the dump tray lever is released – also plumbed into the small section of the air tank.
- • Saw Cylinder: Utilizes air to automatically retract the saw cylinder so it returns to its upright position after the saw lever is released – this is the only cylinder plumbed into the large section of the air tank.
- • Auto Stop/Measuring Stop (Standard feature on the 22-22, an option on the 18-20+ & 22-20) Uses air to automatically retract the stop cylinder to avoid “pinching” the log when being cut and is plumbed into the small side of the air tank.
How the Air System Works
The air system operates under pressure, filling the air tank to approximately 135 pounds. This pressure is crucial for the various functions of the processor. Regular checks for oil or moisture in the air tank are essential to maintain optimal performance. A small amount of oil or moisture is normal, but excessive amounts could indicate an internal bypass issue in one of the cylinders (more than a mist or a few tablespoons).
Key operations of the air system include:
- • Automatic return of the splitting cylinder after it completes its stroke.
- • Automatic saw cylinder return (to the upright position) when the saw lever is released.
- • Automatic retract of the Auto Stop/Measuring Stop cylinder.
- • Automatic return on the dump tray (on the 22-22 model only).
Benefits of the Air System
The air return system in Blockbuster processors offers numerous advantages that enhance user experience and operational efficiency:
- • Autocycle Functionality: The system allows for a more automated operation, freeing the operator from additional manual tasks.
- • User-Friendly Design: With no electric solenoid valves or complex wiring, the air system is straightforward and easy to service.
- • Efficiency in Operations: By running the same pump section for both the splitting cylinder and saw motor, users can cut and split wood simultaneously.
- • Reduced Maintenance Needs: The simplicity of the air system means less potential for electrical faults, leading to easier maintenance and repairs.
- • Helpful to have compressed air at the worksite to inflate tires and blow/clean off the machine at the end of the day.
Troubleshooting the Air System
While the air system is generally reliable, issues can arise. Here are some common troubleshooting tips to ensure smooth operation:
Low Air Pressure
If the air pressure is low, check the following:
- • Ensure the key is on to activate the pressure switch and compressor power.
- • Inspect the 80-amp fuse; a blown fuse will prevent the compressor from turning on.
- • Check for power at the compressor; if it doesn’t turn on, there may be a relay issue.
Identifying Leaks
If air pressure doesn’t maintain (during operation or while shut off), you may have a leak. To identify it:
- • Use soapy water to spray fittings on the air tank, hose ends, compressor, and cylinders. Look for bubbles indicating leaks.
- • Listen for gurgling sounds in the hydraulic tank, which could suggest bad packing in a cylinder.
Testing Cylinders
To determine which cylinder might be causing issues:
- • After running for a few hours, drain the air tank on the smaller chamber, if oil is present (more than a mist or a few tablespoons), check the splitting cylinder, dump tray cylinder and then the auto-stop cylinder (if equipped).
- • Cap off the air hose to one of the cylinders that has air going to it, turn on the compressor and see if air pressure stabilizes, which can help pinpoint the issue to a specific cylinder. Do this one cylinder at a time.
- • After running for a few hours, drain the air tank on the larger chamber, if oil is present (more than a mist or a few tablespoons), check the saw cylinder.
- • Cap off the air hose to one of the cylinders that has air going to it, turn on the compressor and see if air pressure stabilizes, which can help pinpoint the issue to a specific cylinder. Do this one cylinder at a time.
Conclusion
The air return system is an innovation that helps set Blockbuster firewood processors apart. The simple yet effective design combines reliable performance with easy maintenance, allowing operators to maximize productivity while minimizing downtime. Whether you’re running an 18-20 model or the larger 22-22, understanding and properly maintaining your processor’s air system is key to ensuring years of efficient operation.
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