Year: 2020

South East Field Days

Whilst most chipper shredders are designed to be hassle free and to deliver many years of operation, they will still require some maintenance in order to keep them in tiptop condition. One of the few areas that will require occasional attention is the drive belt mechanism – the good news is that you should be able to adjust your belt in under 5 minutes.

Step 1: Let the engine cool for at least 15 minutes after use. Then, use a ¼ inch socket to remove the two belt guard bolts and washers that secure the guard to the shredder. It should be located in front of the engine.

Step 2: Use a rag to wipe away any accumulated dirt and debris from around the drive sprocket. The presence of dirt can actually lessen the life expectancy of the belt if it is left to fester.

Step 3: Place your thumb halfway between the two ends of the belt (the drive sprocket will be on one end and the chipper shredder mechanism on the other) and deflect it slightly by pushing down.

Step 4: Judge the amount of deflection in the belt when you apply moderate pressure. If you can deflect it more than ¾ of an inch, the belt is too loose. Loosen the engine mounting bolts using a 3/8 inch socket.

Step 5: Slide the engine towards the handle of the chipper. Tighten the mounting bolts after you have moved the engine as far as it will go. Make sure that you move the engine the same amount on both sides.

Step 6: Reinstall the belt guard using the bolts and washers you removed in the first step. You will need to test the shredder for normal operation and make any necessary adjustments to the engine.

Even though you should add adjusting the belt to your list of chipper shredder maintenance tasks, it is important to note that there are times when you will have to check the belt’s tightness regardless. If you notice any slippage from the blades, for example, it is important that you stop the chipper as soon as possible and check that the belt is in order.

Wimmera Machinery Fields Days

You have probably noticed that your log splitter has a set engine speed it uses to cut through timber. This engine speed actually controls the amount of force that the wedge is exerting on the wood to break it apart. If you want the wedge to exert more force you will need to increase the engine speed of your splitter; this can be achieved on some models, but not all.

The main reason that you might need to adjust the speed of your splitter is to help the wedge break through harder timbers. In these cases, a faster speed will cut through the timber in far less swings and without blunting the wedge.

Step 1: Take a look at your owner’s manual, which will provide you with the full specifications of the splitter (such as its engine size, force and torque). How fast is it currently operating at and can you adjust this?

Step 2: Find the ‘force adjustment’ dial somewhere on the body of the splitter. If your model does not have one of these dials, the only way to adjust the speed will be by changing the engine power, which is extremely dangerous.

Step 3: Make sure the log splitter is turned off before you attempt to make any adjustments. Accidentally bumping or turning a dial could start the engine and cause serious accidents and injuries.

Step 4: Turn the dial to a lower force or speed. It is best to start low and work your way up. On some models, you will be able to do this one step at a time until you have reached your desired speed.

Step 5: Start your engine up and test out the new speed by putting a piece of wood beneath the wedge. If it moves too quickly, pieces of timber can fly out and hit yourself or others, causing serious injury.

As you can see, it is possible to adjust the speed of some log splitters using the dials provided by the manufacturer. Whilst it is possible to adjust the speed in other ways, it is important to keep in mind that these are highly dangerous and are not recommended in any way. You could also try sharpening the wedge, as this will help it to move through the timber much quicker.