90% done. I fired it up and ran it for 30 minutes or so
Boy does this two way splitter work! I cut anything I could find to put into it. It even split the log rounds vertical, which was nice for the ones that were slightly too long to fit into my splitting table! (But this way was slow and much less efficient). How gratifying to build something from scratch borrowing your ideas, and Youtube, and drawing on paper and computer SKETCHUP! I tossed the Poly hydraulic tank idea, and opted to convert an old upright gas tank. The more I thought of venting the round polyh tank, and contaminants, I thought I needed to "bite it" and do this right. I'm currently running about 13 gallons of hyd fluid with this 22GPM test run, (which is way too little), so the tank indeed runs very hot. I think I will be fine when I add another 5++ or so gallons. (I love the large pump, but honestly I think a step down in size, loosing the weight of those heavy hydraulic gallons of oil may have been actually better. I will occasionally pull this splitter through the woods with my quad, so balance of weight is good attempting traction in swampy conditions.
This was simply a test run to see if my welds held, and if there were any major design errors such as interferences etc. It ran GREAT! My 9hp engine did drive the huge pump, so I don't have to run out right away and buy an engine. They recommend 11hp. I may trade up someday. I'm tossing around my options of hydraulic lift in my head. I love the hydraulic lift, but I have a small winch that I could possibly adapt and have the advantage of "pulling" very large logs up to the splitter. But with this, I need a battery, and I don't think my current engine will charge the battery. How many winch pulls could I get off of one charge of a battery? Hmm?
PS.. I really like the small "bench" to roll the large log halves onto for the next splitting sequence. I was right on with the two direction idea!
The tank needs brackets welded, which I should have done prior, but I wanted to do a test run on weight, balance and strength prior. I should have taken a test in faith and just welded, and kicked myself if I had to re-do. Hose clamps, rear bumper / triangle reflector triangle sign, possible rear lights/ light guards, to come. I may post on Youtube. ( I have never done such a thing).