log splitter plans

J_J · Sep 7, 2010

Here are a few SS splitters.

Last splitter is a double ram log splitter.

2458n · Sep 11, 2010

Find a used three point log splitter from a tractor. Throw it on the ground upside down. The skid steer plate can be sourced from Bob Cat. Cut the top of the three point hitch off and weld the plate on the "draw bar" part. You will end up with a plate that attaches to the skid steer with a log splitter sticking out the front upside down. The cylinder is plumbed into the normal hyd. quick connects. On a older Bobcat 743 you can not have more fun. Large 3-4 ft. dia. pieces can be clamped picked up and moved,or simply split. Sure you might have to split a piece that large 8 to ten times but you never lift a log or leave the seat. The tip of the log splitter beam can be used to push the pieces around keeping your work area clean. The one we are currently using cost less $500 to build using auction found parts.

richmatz · Sep 12, 2010

This last week I bought everything off a 34ton horizontal/vertical commerical splitter from the rotation/pivot point up from a logsplitter manufacture. I didn't get the motor, pump, reservoir, trailer. I have the bobcat plate with a 6"x6"x30' box beam welded to it for pushing the burn piles. I am going to cut the box beat at 4' - 6' from the bobcat plate and attach the item I bought and this will be a horizontal/vertical splitter. I will them need to get 2 hoses made from the bobcat to the splitter valve and back again....there are lots of photos of skid steer splitters out there to learn how to route the hoses correctly. I hope that next weekend I will have this running. We had a low temperature last night of 33 degrees.

Photos to follow as I complete this task

ProfessorGT · Nov 9, 2010

Gents,

While being new to this forum, I have been researching and planning my own custom splitter for a while now. I have attached a chart which should help with some of the calculation noodling necessary to properly plan out what you want. It shows some typical cylinder cycle times with various pump sizes, it shows what the real splitting force will be with various parameters, and it also shows the HP requirements for various pumps, using Internal Combustion Enines (not electric motors, which are not of interest to me on a project like this). BTW, it also has the source links for these calculations/formulas.

My splitter is going to be a 4 X 24 X 2" cylinder (already purchased), a Prince 3000-1 series valve (also already purchased), and a 16gpm 2-stage pump (still looking for the best deal here).

If you look at the charts I attached, YES, you do get quicker cycle times by going with a 22 gpm pump, however the pump is almost twice the price of the 16 gpm pump (for some reason the jump from 16 gpm to 22 gpm causes the pump price to get insane), AND then you would have to go with a larger engine, which is more expensive and consumes more fuel as well!

The 16 gpm pump will work best with a 9hp engine (I.C. - not talking electric motor here), but the 22gpm would require at least an 11hp - preferrably a 13 hp piece.

So, from an economical standpoint I will stay with the 16 gpm pump. Now, with that said, it just so happens that I already have 2 12 hp engines, so it's a no brainer to use one of those and not have to spend any extra cash on a different engine. In fact I actually have a 9h engine, but it does not have an electric starter, nor an alternator, like the 12hps do. I want the electric start capability, and also the ability to have 12v power for lighting and a winch, so again, the 12hp is a no-brainer for me. The added bonus is that I don't have to work the engine nearly as hard, so it will use less fuel, and it will theoretically last longer too.

Right now I'm working on the log lift design, and looking here for info on that. I believe I saw a thread on that topic, so I'll get there.

Elsewhere I saw a post that I responded to just a bit ago, and I mentioned that I have purchased a couple of different sets of plans. I'm willing to trade plans with others if they have different ones than I have - Let me know if there is any interest in doing so via PMs.

Ah yes, choices, choices, choices! Hey if there were no problems to solve, and everyone was the same, where would we be? Life would be so boring. Celebrate our creativity, and build it!

cosmintrif · Dec 22, 2010

Diamondpilot said:
I built one 4 years back to run off my tractors hydro system. I used a 4"x24" stroke. My hydro system is 7 gallons per minute but I am sure that is probably at PTO speed or somewhere near. I have split about 100 ricks with it and 1200 rpm on my tractor works fine even though my PTO rpm is 2250.

As you can see I utilize my 3 point hitch I made out of a Ford Ranger Hitch for the attachment. I also made it go long ways out the back of the tractor so two guys can work from it. I added the wood log cradle later which is a must and I also made a adapter in the 3rd picture that allows it to double as a shop press.

Chris

Hi I made this log splitter at home if someone need details, please don not hesitate to contact me. This was a test. In the mean time i made some reinforcements welds at the wedge support. The wedge will have height adjustments.
YouTube - YouTube - Crapator de lemne Campenesti.flv

Maritimer · Jun 30, 2011

Hi Fellas,
Ive ben reading this thread also for a bit trying to fing the best combination for my splitter I am about to build. I have built a few in the past, each time tweeking it a bit to better suit me. I have a 8hp Honda for a motor. I would like my cycle time to be quite quick, at the same time I don't want to loose any power. If I get the 4.5in cylinder with a 2"ram(24in stroke) and the 16galmin pump would that be a good quick combination? Anyone have the cycle time of this? If I used a 4" instead, with a 2"ram...would that be faster? I read that J J found this LSR 3050 valve that could double the cycle times. Could this still be used with the Haldex 16g/m pump?

Thanks guy's for all your input. I'll look forward to all your comments.