Whitlands Engineering
V8 Chainsaw Built in Australia made by Whitlands Engineering. We design and manufacture log splitters and firewood processors in Australia. www.superaxe.com.au
updated 11 years ago
As a result of this, the REX X Splitter prototype was developed. Loosely based on a kindling splitter we developed previously; we have repurposed this concept into a new splitting machine. The X blade auto cycles as the blocks move through the blade at predetermined increments. The infeed belt increments can be pre-set to produce large or small wood pieces and also kindling.
In 2020, the Rex 900 design was upgraded. The re-design has taken just over a year to complete, with the first machines leaving the factory recently. The improvements were focused on the block feed conveyor & the chassis layout. The upgraded conveyer now features an innovative steel cleat system that automatically feeds blocks in increments under the blade for splitting, producing a much better sample of split wood with less wastage and less operator input. Additionally, the legs are now adjusted hydraulically, making the set up process more efficient; and the outfeed elevator has been upgraded to 9.5m long – which also features a hydraulic winch.
See superaxe.com.au for full details
The ugly logs are generally too big and gnarly to worry about or are dealt with by workers hanging off the end of the biggest available chainsaws. Breaking these logs down to a handleable size and able to then be reworked with smaller type firewood processors is certainly an arduous task. Loosely based along the lines of the very successful Superaxe wood splitters, Whitlands Engineering have designed and built their first Rex Log Buster designed to split ugly logs up to 3 meters long and 1.5 meters plus in diameter.
Designed to be operated from the cab of a 20 ton plus excavator, the log buster can produce up to 90 tons of splitting force. The blade has a travel speed of about 100mm per second, the full travel distance through a 3-meter log being about 30 seconds. In most cases the log will have broken apart long before the full splitting stroke has been reached.
The Log Buster weighs almost four tons and requires a minimum 21 ton digger to operate effectively. Quick hitch assemblies are removable and quick hitches can be made to suit all different brands / configurations of excavators up to 35 tons.
TESTING THE FIRST PROTOTYPE
Initial field tests, shown on the video footage, show the Log Buster breaking up ugly red gum and yellow box logs up to 1.2 meters in diameter. This wood yard had accumulated a huge quantity of oversize logs over time, so the owners were certainly happy to have this machine tested on site. Over two days (16 machine hours), approximately 500 tons of oversize logs were processed and split to a size that the Rex 800 Log Saw could handle. The equivalent job on chainsaws was estimated to be about four months work, highlighting the massive efficiencies that can be achieved with this machine.
The ugly logs are generally too big and gnarly to worry about or are dealt with by workers hanging off the end of the biggest available chainsaws. Breaking these logs down to a handleable size and able to then be reworked with smaller type firewood processors is certainly an arduous task. Loosely based along the lines of the very successful Superaxe wood splitters, Whitlands Engineering have designed and built their first Rex Log Buster designed to split ugly logs up to 3 meters long and 1.5 meters plus in diameter.
Designed to be operated from the cab of a 20 ton plus excavator, the log buster can produce up to 90 tons of splitting force. The blade has a travel speed of about 100mm per second, the full travel distance through a 3-meter log being about 30 seconds. In most cases the log will have broken apart long before the full splitting stroke has been reached.
The Log Buster weighs almost four tons and requires a minimum 21 ton digger to operate effectively. Quick hitch assemblies are removable and quick hitches can be made to suit all different brands / configurations of excavators up to 35 tons.
TESTING THE FIRST PROTOTYPE
Initial field tests, shown on the video footage, show the Log Buster breaking up ugly red gum and yellow box logs up to 1.2 meters in diameter. This wood yard had accumulated a huge quantity of oversize logs over time, so the owners were certainly happy to have this machine tested on site. Over two days (16 machine hours), approximately 500 tons of oversize logs were processed and split to a size that the Rex 800 Log Saw could handle. The equivalent job on chainsaws was estimated to be about four months work, highlighting the massive efficiencies that can be achieved with this machine.
Whitlands Engineering are specialists in the design and manufacture of firewood processing equipment & machinery. See more at superaxe.com.au or superaxe.co.nz
The WS4150 is the most powerful Superaxe in the range with extra features built in to ensure large volumes of firewood can be split with ease. Standard features include a 18hp engine, 200kg capacity hydraulic block lifter, larger bench area, offset splitting head, longer blade, more rollers for easy block manoeuvring and the innovative double handed control system for safe and easy machine operation. A 360mm straight blade is fitted as standard, with optional Tee or Cross shaped blade for three or four way splitting. See specs for details. Couple with optional infeed hoppers and/or outfeed elevators for even greater output.
The Superaxe wood splitter is available in 4 different models – the WS100, WS150, WS3150 and the WS4150. All models feature the following:
PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTRALIA: Designed and built in our Victorian workshop with quality components
SLIDING BLADE: Patented vertical action sliding blade with innovative wedge design easily splits the toughest Australian hardwood. Handles different lengths of wood up to 450mm.
INNOVATIVE DESIGN: Block lifter, large bench area, compact, portable & towable.
BUILT TO LAST: Rugged heavy-duty construction with minimal maintenance required.
ERGONOMIC: Back saving log lifter and ideal bench height for advanced ergonomic comfort
EASY & SAFE TO USE: Double handed control system enhances safety by keeping hands away from moving blade. These systems are completely Workcover compliant.
LONG WARRANTY: Two-year warranty on all parts and construction
See our website for details www.superaxe.com.au
Featuring a 200kg capacity hydraulic log lifter, larger wheels, larger workbench and a larger frame than the smaller WS150 model– the WS3150 is the second most powerful splitter in the Superaxe range. The innovative double handed control with auto return ensures ease of use, quick cycle times & unmatched safety. The WS3150 is fitted with a 9hp engine delivering a whopping 21 tons of splitting power and a 7 second cycle time. Couple with optional infeed hoppers and/or outfeed elevators for even greater output.
The WS3150 is also available with a 13hp power pack. This model has all the attachments required to fit/retrofit an elevator.
The Superaxe wood splitter is available in 4 different models – the WS100, WS150, WS3150 and the WS4150. All models feature the following:
PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTRALIA: Designed and built in our Victorian workshop with quality components
SLIDING BLADE: Patented vertical action sliding blade with innovative wedge design easily splits the toughest Australian hardwood. Handles different lengths of wood up to 450mm.
INNOVATIVE DESIGN: Block lifter, large bench area, compact, portable & towable.
BUILT TO LAST: Rugged heavy-duty construction with minimal maintenance required.
ERGONOMIC: Back saving log lifter and ideal bench height for advanced ergonomic comfort
EASY & SAFE TO USE: Double handed control system enhances safety by keeping hands away from moving blade. These systems are completely Workcover compliant.
LONG WARRANTY: Two-year warranty on all parts and construction
See our website for details www.superaxe.com.au
The WS150 features robust construction, a larger work bench and a 150kg capacity cable operated log lifter than the smaller WS100 model. The innovative double handed control system ensures ease of use, quick cycle times & unmatched safety. A 9hp engine is fitted as standard, but a 6hp engine is also available. The 9hp engine delivers a whopping 21 tons of splitting power and a 8 second cycle time.
The Superaxe wood splitter is available in 4 different models – the WS100, WS150, WS3150 and the WS4150. All models feature the following:
PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTRALIA: Designed and built in our Victorian workshop with quality components
SLIDING BLADE: Patented vertical action sliding blade with innovative wedge design easily splits the toughest Australian hardwood. Handles different lengths of wood up to 450mm.
INNOVATIVE DESIGN: Block lifter, large bench area, compact, portable & towable.
BUILT TO LAST: Rugged heavy-duty construction with minimal maintenance required.
ERGONOMIC: Back saving log lifter and ideal bench height for advanced ergonomic comfort
EASY & SAFE TO USE: Single handed (WS100) or double handed (all other models) control system enhances safety by keeping hands away from moving blade. These systems are completely Workcover compliant.
LONG WARRANTY: Two-year warranty on all parts and construction
See our website for details www.superaxe.com.au
The Rex Log Saw 800 is a fully self-contained unit. The 43 inch chain saw bar is hydraulically driven from the 50hp Yanmar diesel. Logs are loaded onto the log deck with a loader, fed into the trough using a hydraulic chain drive system and then fed into the saw head using a unique log pusher system. An increment system ensures even block length and blocked timber is carried away by the 5m conveyer for splitting or stockpiling. Importantly, the operator’s working environment is safe, as they are well clear of the saw zone. This machine is WorkCover compliant making it ideal for firewood businesses who are seeking to reduce their liability.
Designed with a well specified hydraulic system, and built with quality components (and minimal electronics), the Rex Log Saw 800 will give thousands of hours of trouble free operation. The Rex Log Saw 800 will cut your labour costs, increase productivity and eliminate Work Cover issues.
See our website for specs www.superaxe.com.au
Since 2010 Whitlands Engineering has built over 110 600 & 600X machines, earning a reputation for being the most reliable, cost effective & productive firewood splitter on the market.
See our website for full specs www.superaxe.com.au
Since 2010 Whitlands Engineering has built over 110 600 & 600X machines, earning a reputation for being the most reliable, cost effective & productive firewood splitters on the market.
See the superaxe.com.au website for more details
Logs are loaded onto the log deck with a loader, fed into the trough using a hydraulic chain drive system and then fed into the saw head using a unique log pusher system. An increment system ensures even block length and blocked timber is carried away by the 5m conveyor for splitting or stockpiling. Importantly, the operator’s working environment is safe, as they are well clear of the saw zone.
This model is available in two options: wide & regular trough. The wide trough model can effectively handle multiple small logs/sleeper backs up to 4m long, and incorporates a double log clamp & high back log pusher. The regular trough model will handle single logs from 1.5 – 6.5 meters long, and up to 650mm diameter.
Designed & built in Australia using very heavy duty construction, quality engine & hydraulic components, this machine will give many years of productive, trouble free service. This machine is WorkCover compliant making it ideal for firewood businesses who are seeking to reduce their liability.
The Rex Log Saw will cut logs up to 1050mm in diameter and 8 meters long. The logs are loaded into the 'live' deck, and then fed into the saw. The chain bar is 3/4 harvester chain on a 48' bar, the system is fitted with a red eye increment system which can be programmed to the desired width.
The machine is safe and easy to use, has low noise output, is fully self contained and easily portable. As a one man operation, this machine will produce as much block firewood as four people on chainsaws - a huge saving on labour, a massive increase in productivity and no work cover issues. The Rex Log saw has similar running costs to one chainsaw - with 3 - 4 times the output.
For more specs and prices see our website www.superaxe.com.au.
Proudly designed and manufactured by Whitlands Engineering - the name you can trust for quality, reliability and innovation. Call 1800 702 701 for more details or contact us online