Pint sized log splitter

[Tig]

Since my B7100 hydraulic flow and pressure (1710 PSI and 3.1 GPM) will not run a regular log splitter very well I was thinking I could build a pint sized hydraulic unit. I'm thinking that 10 ton would be handy for campfire wood and a bit of heating.
What is a reasonable cycle time for a splitter?
Has anyone ever made a small splitter?

[eanjay]

i have one of those small electric splitters made by 'King' in the basement. Been using it for the last three years and it's fine for casual use. The wife uses it to split wood she finds hard to handle for the furnace and stove. We might put three cords through it per year. Rated at three tons, though I see they have increased that to five, it handle 20 inch dry logs.

I've see units that have been 'trashed' by people trying to do 20 cords at a time, and then wood for the brother-in-law, but mine still has the original paint on, even on the wedge, and considering it only cost $288.0 - I don't think you could build one for less!

Ean Jay

[brandoro]

I built this one for under $300 but managed to scavenge the steel so was only out of pocket for the hydraulics. I unplug the bucket roll hoses from hte FEL and plug the splitter into them. Note the bungee cord holding the FEL joystick. The block on the splitter is about 18" dia. The splitter has never refused a split so has enough power for me.

[bobodu]

Here is an online hydraulic calculator..
Baum Hydraulics :: Spec Calculator
Plug in the numbers you think you might want.I used a 3" cylinder with a 2.5" rod and got 6 tons moving around 1.7 inches a second for extension. A 2" cylinder will be much faster but have much less power.

[tglass]

brandoro, I like that setup. Cheap and effective. Even thow you're using the tractors hyd. system don't you still need a hyd. res. ? What about the box it's mounted on, does it serve as a carrier also?

[brandoro]

Since it is using the tractor hydraulics the trans. hydraulic fluid of the tractor is the reservoir. Running the splitter barely keeps the fluid warm so no problem there The box the splitter is on is my three point carrier, the splitter is just clamped to it in the picture, that was the trial run. I liked the splitter on there so am making a proper mount for it. I block and split enough wood to fill the carrier then drive back to the shop to unload the wood then drive back out in the bush to block and split some more. Don't play myself out that way. I am thinking I will strengthen and extend the carrier rearward a bit so it will hold more wood, cut down on the travel time a little.
It has a 4" X24" cylinder and is limited to 2000psi, I think that works out to about 12 ton of force.
I looked at one another guy had made with a 2.5" cylinder, too fast and not enough power IMO.

[TDVT]

Originally Posted by tglass

brandoro, I like that setup. Cheap and effective.

I really like that set-up myself. Something like that would be perfect for my needs. We only burn wood for heat & prefer to buy it cut/split but we always have the odd tree or large limb to add to the pile.

Can you elaborate on the hydraulic connections & operation?

[Tig]

Thanks for the input guys.
An electric like Ean's would do the job. I've been looking at one that Princess auto has for just under $300.
Rod, your splitter is what I had in mind although I think I would have to scale it back to the dimensions that bobodu posted. I think a 4" cylinder would be too slow on my tractor with the 3.1 GPM flow.

[WilliamBos]

Originally Posted by bobodu

Here is an online hydraulic calculator..
Baum Hydraulics :: Spec Calculator
Plug in the numbers you think you might want.I used a 3" cylinder with a 2.5" rod and got 6 tons moving around 1.7 inches a second for extension. A 2" cylinder will be much faster but have much less power.

Thanks for the link. VERY handy. What do they mean by rod diameter??

[bostonrats]

Hi Tig,

There is another alternative, if you can find a deal on an accumulator you could use a bigger cylinder The accumulator would be in on a "T" between the pump and valve. When you're not running the cylinder the pump is storing energy in the accumulator. When the valve opens to the split the log the accumulator and pump sends pressure and volume to the splitter.

The trick is that while you are getting a new log on the rail the pump is working to store energy in the accumulator while the valve is closed.

You might be able to find a used one at a machine salvage yard.

Good luck!