KWith firewood sales booming, many firewood professionals are taking processors out of storage or making firewood in full swing. To ensure your firewood processor's best performance for decades to come, it's always a great idea to inspect and maintain the machine after storage or extended processing periods.
When maintaining the firewood processor, it is important to prevent potential faults in advance. A good practice is to thoroughly inspect the machine each time you take it out of storage and put it back into service.
We've put together a four-point checklist that will take you far and help ensure your firewood processor lasts for decades to come:
- Go through the machine in general. Check that the machine is in good condition and clean it if necessary.
- Grease the machine's grease nipples if you have not greased them before storing the machine.
- Check the chainsaw chain and chain bar or circular blade for their condition.
- Check the condition of the hydraulic oil and filters. Replace them if necessary.
Cleaning the firewood processor first to make the condition check easier
The general condition of the firewood processor can be checked visually. This quickly ensures that the machine has not been damaged during storage or transport. Cleaning the machine makes it easier to check its condition. For example, it is much easier to check the condition of the blade when it is clean. It is also more pleasant to start working with a clean machine.
It is recommended that the grease nipples on the firewood processor be greased before the machine is stored. If you forgot to grease them before storing the machine, it should be done before the machine is put back into service. It's also a good idea to clean the grease nipples before storing.
For Hakki Pilke firewood processors, you can find the grease nipple locations with pictures in the manual. The manual also specifies the exact greasing amount for each grease nipple.
Checking the hydraulic oils and filters
In hydraulics, the condition of the oil is a decisive factor in terms of service life and reliable operation. With clean oil and filter, hydraulic components work smoothly and the oil temperature remains at a moderate level.
The oil and filters should be checked each time the firewood processor is taken out of storage. They should also be checked whenever the machine has been unused for an extended period.
During winter, you can experience problems if there is any water in the oils. The water may freeze at the bottom of the tank. If the oils appear gray, water has gotten into them. In this situation, the oils and the return filter must be replaced.
For Hakki Pilke firewood processors, we recommend the first oil and return filter change after one hundred hours of use or after the first season. Thereafter, the change should be made every two years or every 500 hours, whichever comes first.
You can find the best oils, filters, and blade accessories for your Hakki Pilke machine from your local dealer. You can find your closest Hakki Pilke store at here.
Maintenance of a circular saw and a chainsaw
Before starting the machine, also check the condition of the chainsaw chain and guide bar, or in the case of a circular saw, the condition of the teeth and ensure the blade is properly tensioned. If you notice the blade is dull or has cracked teeth, it should be replaced with a new one.
The chainsaw chain and chain bar of the firewood processor should be maintained regularly. Read the detailed instructions for the maintenance of the chainsaw chain and chain bar in our previous article.”How To: Sharpening Your Chainsaw Chain”.
See also our instructional video on sharpening the chainsaw chain.
Sharpening your chain with an electric sharpener is an easy and fast way to achieve correctly sharpened chain edges. Check that the cutters are smoothly sharpened and the surface looks uniformly bright.
Check the bar rail for wear and grind the tops of the rails with a grinder.
The service life and functionality of the circular saw can best be affected by careful storage and use. Always check the condition of the blade carefully. If you notice cracks or broken teeth in the blade, the blade must not be used but must be replaced or repaired.
A damaged blade is always a major safety hazard and should never be used. Blades should always be maintained by a specialized dealer.
When installing a new blade, you should always check that the chain bars are also straight and clean. If the bars need to be replaced, they should always be purchased as original parts.
Always check the circular saw and the chainsaw before processing firewood.
Also, always check the circular saw blade or chainsaw chain before you start processing. Regular maintenance of the circular saw blade and chainsaw chain and bar ensures efficient firewood production. At the same time, you maximize the lifespan of your firewood processor.
Using a dull blade can cause a variety of problems: the machine heats up, the chain sprocket wears faster, and the saw slows down, requiring more time to cut. Be sure to clean the blade after each use, for example with compressed air or a brush.
If you find that your machine needs new parts, contact your machine manufacturer or local dealer.
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