ovrszd
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- May 27, 2006
- Messages
- 33,499
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M9540, Ford 3910FWD, Ford 555A, JD2210
I got home from Iraq a little over a month ago and have been living in my shop and loving life!!! I built a Splitter and would like to share my experiences as well as pictures. It's been a great project and works very, very well.
I used a 21 GPM Prince 540 rpm PTO Pump. A Prince 4.5x24x2 3000lb tierod cylinder. A Prince Splitter Control Valve. A 20 Gallon reservoir Tank. A 3000lb pressure gauge. A 4.5x10x60 I-Beam. Fabricated the rest.
I built the wedge from 3/8" flat steel, 8" high and 4.5" wide at the rear. I welded the V cutting edge with 7018 rod using a stick welder. Then ground it sharp.
I built the push ram from 1/4" flat steel for the face. 1" thick flat steel for the cylinder to pin to. I immediately discovered that the face was too thin and started pushing the cylinder bracket thru the face. I added a 3.8" face plate to the existing 1/4" face and stopped that problem.
I raised the rear end of the cylinder 1/2" so it would generally push down on the ram and cylinder. I thought that might lessen the stress on the ram plate bolts but not sure that was needed.
I angled the cutting edge of the wedge a couple degrees at the top, toward the cylinder. Again to try to minimize the wood riding up on the wedge. Not sure that was needed either. My wedge is very sharp and I don't have any trouble with the wood riding up.
I built the catch table too small in the beginning. Easy splitting wood would fall off before being pushed far enough out to stay on the table. I didn't want the table hitting my legs when walking up to the splitter with wood in my hands. I added another four inches to the table and helped the problem dramatically. Still occassionally drops a piece but not very often. The catch table is also removeable. It is awesome and definitely the best addition to a splitter you can make.
With no load and the tractor running at 1500 rpm, which is probably 375-400 PTO rpm, the cylinder will cycle out in about 5 seconds using the mental count method. It will return in just under 4 seconds. I'm very pleased with that speed. It's not so fast you are scared when using it. But fast enough that you don't wait on the cylinder very much. If I'm splitting by myself I don't have to wait on the return at all. The valve will automatically return the cylinder and it takes longer to retrieve another log than it does to return. If you are splitting a tough log that requires a complete stroke to finish, you will wait just a little for that to happen.
I have found some knotty oak logs that I had to tactfully split. But otherwise it's effortless. I've only saw the pressure gauge up to 1500lbs once and that was on a very tough log. Normally it only requires 500lbs or less to be effective.
I've split several loads of wood and would only change one thing. I would use a smaller reservoir just to be more compact. I have 15 gallon of oil in this tank and it's more than adequate. After splitting for an hour or more the lines are just luke warm to the touch. I could get by with half that much oil reservoir.
Otherwise I'm very pleased. Don't want to get on a tractor discussion but my Kubota B2910 runs this splitter effortlessly at 1500 rpm and just sips fuel. I don't think you could power a small gas engine any cheaper as far as fuel costs.
I like the 3pt method for the maneuverability aspect. I also like the 3pt for large pieces because you can lower it to the ground and roll them up on the splitter. You can also vary the work height to suit your back.
The PTO pump is bulky and fills the space between my lift arms. I think I could help that situation with a 1 1/4 elbow fitting for the return line but haven't been able to find one yet.
I estimated the electricity and welder/cutting products for cost. Otherwise I used receipts for everything that I bought. My total cost including paint was $1420. I'm very content with that. I have a splitter that my Sons will give to their Sons.
Hope you enjoy the pics. I'm including a lot of pics but that's the best way to answer questions.
Remember,,,,, I'm busy catching up in my shop and might not get back on here for a few days. But I'll try to answer any questions anyone might have.
I have gotten soooo much from this website during my year in Iraq. I wanted to give back a little with this project.
I used a 21 GPM Prince 540 rpm PTO Pump. A Prince 4.5x24x2 3000lb tierod cylinder. A Prince Splitter Control Valve. A 20 Gallon reservoir Tank. A 3000lb pressure gauge. A 4.5x10x60 I-Beam. Fabricated the rest.
I built the wedge from 3/8" flat steel, 8" high and 4.5" wide at the rear. I welded the V cutting edge with 7018 rod using a stick welder. Then ground it sharp.
I built the push ram from 1/4" flat steel for the face. 1" thick flat steel for the cylinder to pin to. I immediately discovered that the face was too thin and started pushing the cylinder bracket thru the face. I added a 3.8" face plate to the existing 1/4" face and stopped that problem.
I raised the rear end of the cylinder 1/2" so it would generally push down on the ram and cylinder. I thought that might lessen the stress on the ram plate bolts but not sure that was needed.
I angled the cutting edge of the wedge a couple degrees at the top, toward the cylinder. Again to try to minimize the wood riding up on the wedge. Not sure that was needed either. My wedge is very sharp and I don't have any trouble with the wood riding up.
I built the catch table too small in the beginning. Easy splitting wood would fall off before being pushed far enough out to stay on the table. I didn't want the table hitting my legs when walking up to the splitter with wood in my hands. I added another four inches to the table and helped the problem dramatically. Still occassionally drops a piece but not very often. The catch table is also removeable. It is awesome and definitely the best addition to a splitter you can make.
With no load and the tractor running at 1500 rpm, which is probably 375-400 PTO rpm, the cylinder will cycle out in about 5 seconds using the mental count method. It will return in just under 4 seconds. I'm very pleased with that speed. It's not so fast you are scared when using it. But fast enough that you don't wait on the cylinder very much. If I'm splitting by myself I don't have to wait on the return at all. The valve will automatically return the cylinder and it takes longer to retrieve another log than it does to return. If you are splitting a tough log that requires a complete stroke to finish, you will wait just a little for that to happen.
I have found some knotty oak logs that I had to tactfully split. But otherwise it's effortless. I've only saw the pressure gauge up to 1500lbs once and that was on a very tough log. Normally it only requires 500lbs or less to be effective.
I've split several loads of wood and would only change one thing. I would use a smaller reservoir just to be more compact. I have 15 gallon of oil in this tank and it's more than adequate. After splitting for an hour or more the lines are just luke warm to the touch. I could get by with half that much oil reservoir.
Otherwise I'm very pleased. Don't want to get on a tractor discussion but my Kubota B2910 runs this splitter effortlessly at 1500 rpm and just sips fuel. I don't think you could power a small gas engine any cheaper as far as fuel costs.
I like the 3pt method for the maneuverability aspect. I also like the 3pt for large pieces because you can lower it to the ground and roll them up on the splitter. You can also vary the work height to suit your back.
The PTO pump is bulky and fills the space between my lift arms. I think I could help that situation with a 1 1/4 elbow fitting for the return line but haven't been able to find one yet.
I estimated the electricity and welder/cutting products for cost. Otherwise I used receipts for everything that I bought. My total cost including paint was $1420. I'm very content with that. I have a splitter that my Sons will give to their Sons.
Hope you enjoy the pics. I'm including a lot of pics but that's the best way to answer questions.
Remember,,,,, I'm busy catching up in my shop and might not get back on here for a few days. But I'll try to answer any questions anyone might have.
I have gotten soooo much from this website during my year in Iraq. I wanted to give back a little with this project.
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