log splitter plans

[Diamondpilot]

I guess I should have explained better. My tractor has a pto pump that is mounted off the front end of the engine. It is drive by a gear the runs the injector pump. It is not PTO drive but at any rate I am only running the engine at about 1/2 throttle.

By the way the tractor I am using is my Jinma 28 HP.

Chris

 

[turnkey4099]

5" overkill? simple, remember big cylinder needs bigger pump its all relative I can, and have built one with a 6" cylinder faster than a 4" cylinder

Yes, overkill. It is not a question of 'speed', it is a question of force. A 4" will do 90% of splitting. A 4 1/2" will take care of almost all the rest.

Rule is:

Bigger cylinder = more power.

Bigger pump = more speed.

The power of a splitter is a function of the bypass pressure of the valve (usually 2,500-2,750 psi) x the piston area.

A 5" cylinder, if that is what is availible is fine but IMO deliberately building to a 5" cylinder and big pump/motor is nothing more than bragging rights.

Harry K

 

[sizzami]

do you mean like , I can put nearly every chunk through my four way and split wood twice as fast ? that kind of bragging?

 

[turnkey4099]

do you mean like , I can put nearly every chunk through my four way and split wood twice as fast ? that kind of bragging?

Well, I admit that I didn't consider ones built with production in mind, My discussion was on the 'single split' type of splitter. Yes, with 4 (or more) wedge, bigger ram is a necessity.

Harry K

 

[Q-Saw]

I would take a look at a regenerative valve like the Prince LSR-3060-3 log splitter valve. It allows you to use a single stage pump while retaining 2-speed extend operation (retract speed is constant). LSR3060Flyer.pdf
This is a great valve to use if you are using your tractor hydraulics to power your splitter as the tractor hydraulic pump is single stage.

Or, you may also want to look at the RD-5000 AUTO-CYCLE TWO SPOOL VALVE. It allows you to automatically extend and retract the cylinder. This frees you from standing at the splitter holding the valve handle during the splitting process. You can go get another block (or a sip of coffee) while the splitter automatically splits then retracts. There are some safety considerations when operating in this manner, which is why you won't find too many commercial splitters with this feature.

I bought a 3PH log splitter that operates off my tractor's hydraulics. It is slow (single stage pump, and I haven't upgraded to the regenerative valve yet), and I can't use my tractor to move blocks and splits while splitting. I also think it's a bit of overkill to run a 34 HP motor to power a log splitter. In my opinion (and for my use), a standalone splitter offers a lot of advantages over a tractor mounted one.

- Marty

 

[J_J]

do you mean like , I can put nearly every chunk through my four way and split wood twice as fast ? that kind of bragging?

Those that want a log splitter, will just go out and buy what ever is on sale, just to split some logs. Most will not even know the cycle times or what tons of force represents. The guy that wants to build one, usually has part of the system on hand be it free or low cost, and the cylinder could have a 4,5, or 6 in bore, He might slap something together and come out with a log splitter, or a total failure, and those people don't tell those stories. Then there is the guy that does his research to find the force required to split the toughest log possible, using the cylinder which is the most common, the 4 X 24 in. He could put any pump valve configuration on here, but if he is smart, and did his research, then he would select the components carefully. A two stage pump is the most economical, and would require less HP. If he has done his figures correctly, he will decide pump size, and then engine size, and a manual valve or automatic valve, and a small reservoir. He will also have to know how to weld or have the frame welded, and select the type of wedge. Below would be the a good set-up.

Honda 8 HP engine
16 GPM 2 stage pump
4 X 24 cylinder
auto log splitter valve
8 to 16 GPM reservoir which could be the frame
large I bean, and the rest of the steel
single cut wedge, or slip on 4 way wedge.
highway wheels for transport

optional

loading tray for the weak or older folks

Force 4 in cyl 4 GPM = 31,416 lbs = 15.7 tons
Force 4 in cyl 16 GPM = 8,168 lbs - 4.08 tons

fastest cycle times pine wood, 4.89 extend, 5.3 retract, total = 10.19 sec
slowest-----------tough wood----------------------------------38.46 sec

Just my thoughts on a good system.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I guess I should have explained better. My tractor has a pto pump that is mounted off the front end of the engine. It is drive by a gear the runs the injector pump. It is not PTO drive but at any rate I am only running the engine at about 1/2 throttle.

By the way the tractor I am using is my Jinma 28 HP.

Chris

I just reread what I wrote JJ and I screwed up again. It should have read "My tractor has a HYDRO PUMP that is mounted off the front end of the engine."

Its a engine drive pump, not pto.

Sorry

Chris

 

[J_J]

Did a little research on that LSR 3050 hydraulic valve, which means Log Splitter Rapid extend. What is does, is use a regenerative circuit to take the fluid from the rod side, and add it to the pump volume going to the push side of the cylinder, more volume, equals faster or doubles the cycle time. This means that you can use a 8 HP engine, and at least a 4 GPM single stage gear pump at 3000 psi and double the cycle time. I suppose, that the size of the rod in the cylinder will increase or decrease the speed of the same size cylinder.

It seems like you start in the fast extend mode, forth position, and if things go well, you split the log, and shift the handle back to detent for reverse. If things get tough, you shift the handle back to a soft stop/normal mode and hold it till the log is split.

I believe the valve list for around $140.00

 

[sizzami]

a good place to get pretty cheap axles and tires is from your local mobile home dealer.
northern hydraulics is hard to beat on every thing else , personally I have a nine hp tecumseh 16gpm haldex 2 stage pump and the prince auto cycle which is great but finicky not sure its worth the three hundred plus clams
and a 10 gallon tank w/ 4" x 36" ram Its long so I can split sugar wood .

my oint is like J.J say use good components in a good configuration and never have to worry.

 

[selkplitt]

baileynet.com, that is a place to go to get all you need for making a splitter other than the metal. They have the valves, hydraulic pumps and cylinders, engines along with the 3 stage pump for faster cycle times with no load. can't beat the feeling of satisfaction looking at your own handy work.