My LOGSPLITTER Build

[LD1]

Over the past few months I have started a few threads and asked lots of questions about building my splitter.

Well, I am underway now. Cylinder, valve, pump, filter, and suction strainer should be delivered today. I already have steel, beam, tank, motor, and an axle to use. Will get hoses made once I get things assembled and figure exactally what I need.

This will likely take me a few weeks, but will keep things updated as I go.

Here is some shots of the wedge and beam. I took shieldarc's idea for how to attach. And I left the beam long for a good secure point for attaching the table.


Here is the wedge and beam.

 

[LD1]

Some root passes to close things up before I switch to spray mode on the welder.



And the beam and wedge being one. I think the lowly piece of 1" x 6" hot roll will rip in two before the welds break.

 

[LD1]

I do got one off the wall question:

Will a hydraulic motor work off a 2-stage pump?

I know it is said not to, but dont really know why? Will it not work at all? Not work well? burn things up?

For what I want, it will be limited use. I am wanting to attach a low speed (like ZTR wheel motor) to the axle. I am using a ford 8.8 for the axle. And if it would work, it would be pretty easy to attach a motor to the pinion of the axle. Not for transport, but for when splitting, and the pile builds up, and you just want to pull forward a few feet and continue. It would be really nice to just hit a lever and drive forward a tad. I would be using one of them jacks with a wheel on the bottom if it will work??

 

[J_J]

You can probably answer your own question.

A hyd motor develops the pressure provided, and if you only provide 900 psi and 22 GPM, then the motor will run at a certain rpm and develop a certain about of torque.

Now , run that motor doing hard work at say 3000 psi, and you will develop lots of torque.

22 GPM, at 900 psi, motor of 12 cu in, rpm = 424 = torque of 1720 in lbs.

7 GPM , at 3000 psi, motor of 12 cu in, rpm = 135, torque of 5732 in lbs.

If you use the motor for multiple purposes, the motor will be shifting speeds.

You could limit the motor speed with a relief valve.

 

[LD1]

I guess the "work" that needs done would depend on the motor size. For a BIG hydraulic motor, it wouldnt be much work. For a little one......

I have a buddy that has a mowing business. I might be able to source a wheel motor from a ZTR that could work. Lots of times they toss good parts. IF a motor fails, or pump fails, or whatever, they just junk the whole mower....

 

[merlynr]

You stated that you have a motor and was wondering if it was a gas engine for power? I wouldn't build a splitter personally without electric start engine.

 

[LD1]

Yep. Its a gas powers 16hp electric start off a POS weedeater lawnmower that was given to me after only 1 season of use.

Some more specs:
22gpm 2-stage pump
4" x 24" cylinder w/ 2" rod
So it will be fast.

Oil reservoir is/will be a round transformer canister with the guts removed. Will hold ~23 gallons.

Beam is a W6x25

Axle with be the above mentioned Ford 8.8

The hydraulic cylinder, pump, valve, filter and strainer was just delivered. Nothing really high end. I ordered it from splitez.com. Was $600 delivered. Should work just fine for my light ~15-20 cord per year hobby. I just couldnt justify a prince cylinder, barnes pump, etc. That would have pushed things over $1000.

 

[LD1]

some shots of working on the pusher plate.

originally I wanted to copy speeco's design with their "log cradle" to capture the pusher. But I decided to do it differently cause I am making a table to go aft the wedge. And didnt want that "cradle" being a catch point when sliding a piece around that needs split again.

Still got to drill the 1" hole for the clevis and then some weld time. I am going to make the clevis bottom actually touch the part it is attached to. This will allow it to share some of the load instead of all of it being on the pin.

 

[LD1]

Got the pusher assembly complete.

 

[Rustyiron]

Nice build and I think your "driven" log splitter idea would be very cool even if you don't use it much. Just to show it off to your buddies would be worth it!
Oh, you're wedge will definitely not ever give you any trouble the way you did it.:thumbsup: