Logsplitter 2.0

[rswyan]

Looks like I still have some leaks on the two 3/4" MPT ---> 3/4 FPT swivels on the control valves. One is on the outlet (PBYD) of log lift valve and the other is on the inlet of the valve for the push block. Droolin' all over the place.

Pineridge is supposed to have some super-duper anaerobic something-or-another that is really good for sealing up pipe threads ... might see if I can hit him up for a dab or two that later today.

Valve cover on the engine appears to still be leaking as well ... makes me wonder if I over-torqued the bolts when I installed the new gasket I made.

What's left on the menu (besides the above):

1. Modify log lift for push block clearance and fix the bent brackets.

2. Bend the ends of the table grate pipes nearest the H-Beam so that they taper downward a little.

3. Come up with some way to secure the table grate in it's upright position. There's a clearance issue on this with the log lift ... but maybe no. 2 will handle it.

4. Come up with some way to secure the log lift in it's upright position for transport. I'm thinking just a chain over to the cradle on the opposite side will do it ... maybe weld a D-ring onto the log lift for an attachment point.

5. Pick up another 2" hitch receiver and weld it to the end of the beam so that the drawbar with the trailer coupler on it can be removed and used for an outrigger to provide stability when lifting really big rounds.

5. Fashion a pair of "hooks" with eyelets that can be used with a chain to pull off anything that gets stuck on the wedge.

Might wanna do something about adding that section of pipe for a riser for the fill/vent cap ... but I don't see getting around to that for a while. Probably not until I pull things apart for painting later this year.

 

[aczlan]

3. Come up with some way to secure the table grate in it's upright position. There's a clearance issue on this with the log lift ... but maybe no. 2 will handle it.
4. Come up with some way to secure the log lift in it's upright position for transport. I'm thinking just a chain over to the cradle on the opposite side will do it ... maybe weld a D-ring onto the log lift for an attachment point.
5. Fashion a pair of "hooks" with eyelets that can be used with a chain to pull off anything that gets stuck on the wedge.

Could use your chain attachment points on the push block (from #5?) to solve #3 or #4.
Could also have the log lift chain to the table grate when both are upright.

Aaron Z

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Dunno if I mentioned this or not before, but look around for one-man or smallish outfits that do tree work and don't want to hassle with selling the wood and are just looking to dump/get rid of it.

.

I've tried that, spoke with several companies both big and small about both firewood and wood chips. I'm 15 min from the edge of a city of million people with a dozen outfits between here and there and they all say I'm too far away :-(

 

[LD1]

The 5/8 pins are plenty strong. I think you just need more bearing area for them so they dont wear quick and cut through. 3/8" isnt much. What size are the pins for the hydraulic cylinder for the lift?

As to the hooks...I didnt add them on mine. But my wedge design is different. No extra kickers and no 4-way. Just a thin knife edge. So never any issues getting stuck?

The leaky fittings...what did you use first time to seal them? Teflon paste? It is suppsed to be okay for hydraulics, but I prefer loctite 545. Its a purple sealer. Probably what pineridge has...

 

[ajmaxham]

I also used the loctite 545, on all the NPT fittings, when I built my logsplitter -- no leaks.

 

[mikehaugen]

I'm not sure if you'll need the flow restrictors. With a large log on the lift it may kick the pump into low flow.

 

[rswyan]

The 5/8 pins are plenty strong. I think you just need more bearing area for them so they dont wear quick and cut through. 3/8" isnt much.

Yup ... probably should seriously think about drilling out the square tube the log lift frame is made out of and sleeving the pin holes.

I can pick up a foot of .188" or .250" wall tube (.625 ID) from McMaster and pop it in there. That would give me 3" of bearing surface x whatever thickness the tube is.

What size are the pins for the hydraulic cylinder for the lift?

1" ... it's a 2" x 8" Chief cylinder.

As to the hooks...I didnt add them on mine. But my wedge design is different. No extra kickers and no 4-way. Just a thin knife edge.

Right.

So never any issues getting stuck?

If you're asking me, yeah - I've had few so far ... but it's been on smaller logs ... and no real problem to knock 'em off.

Mostly happens on the the twisted, gnarly stuff ... where the wedge is slicing through the grain, rather than splitting along it.

The leaky fittings...what did you use first time to seal them? Teflon paste?

I used Teflon paste ... but I was hoping the threads would seal ...

Dunno if I over-torqued them or what ... I did try tightening them each once ... after I noticed I had a leak.

It is suppsed to be okay for hydraulics, but I prefer loctite 545. Its a purple sealer. Probably what pineridge has...

Yeah ... I think he did say it was a Loctite product.

 

[rswyan]

I also used the loctite 545, on all the NPT fittings, when I built my logsplitter -- no leaks.

:thumbsup:

 

[rswyan]

I'm not sure if you'll need the flow restrictors. With a large log on the lift it may kick the pump into low flow.

Even in low flow mode the extension speed on the cylinder will be around 4"/second ...

I've already tried loading it up with 6 or so smaller (8" to 12" heavy rounds) ... and you still have to be careful with feathering the valve or it will come flying up.

I'd rather have it slow and steady than take a chance of losing control of a large heavy round.

Some of the rounds of oak over at Bobbi's will be 48" in diameter ...

Makes me even wonder whether the cradle opposite the log lift is even tall enough.

Practically speaking, I'm thinking that I really only need the flow restrictor on the work port that extends the cylinder.

 

[rswyan]

Could use your chain attachment points on the push block (from #5?) to solve #3 or #4.
Could also have the log lift chain to the table grate when both are upright.

Aaron Z

Yeah ... probably could just run a chain around all of it ... :thumbsup: