Electric Start on Log Splitter

[tnau664]

Has anyone had any experience adding an electric starter to a Briggs and Stratton on a log splitter? I want to make this thing wife usable and she says electric start only. The motor is a 5.5hp I took off my tiller.

Thanks
T

 

[BTDT]

I don't see why not. Frees up more time for you on the tractor.

 

[mark1]

Let me know how you make out..I want to add a electric starter to my 8hp B&S coleman generator but it has no provision for a starter.

 

[ruscomredneck]

I have been looking for a used 8-11 hp riding lawnmower & take the engine, wiring & necessary parts to convert my splitter to electric start.In a previous post I was told the hydraulic pumps could also work in the vertical position.(something similar to a hydraulic powerpack) Don

 

[tnau664]

Doggone Redneck, I hadn't even considered using a vertical shaft motor. That would be much easier. I've already got an extra mower that I'm sure dear one wouldn't miss at all. Besides, she can only cut on one at the time. Do you remember how long back the post appeared? Makes sense, since the pump is fully enclosed.

I will keep looking, Thanks
T

 

[Fordlords]

Not likely going to work with a 5.5 HP Briggs engine, at least unless you are an engineer who loves many hours of tinkering. The flywheel will need a starter gear which is machined as part of the flywheel, then the block will need some bosses to mount a starter motor. Then you better make sure it all spins the right way. Most recoil start engines will not have that unless designed for electric start. MUCH cheaper and easier to swap the engine on the splitter with one including electric start.

Not being a jerk here, but most likely if the wife can put a log in to the splitter, she has the strength to pull start a 5.5 Briggs, they are not hard to start at all.

-Fordlords-

 

[slowrev]

Doggone Redneck, I hadn't even considered using a vertical shaft motor. That would be much easier. I've already got an extra mower that I'm sure dear one wouldn't miss at all. Besides, she can only cut on one at the time. Do you remember how long back the post appeared? Makes sense, since the pump is fully enclosed.

I will keep looking, Thanks
T

I am using an electric start 11 hp vertical shaft on my log splitter, which is beginning construction.

 

[ruscomredneck]

I did a search here & at antiquetractors.com ,which I visit both daily.I couldn't remember the exact phrasing I used when I posted the question about "vertically mounted hydraulic pumps".I don't know how else to find it.There were a few replies that said it was definitely doable.I guess the price of old riding mowers just went up!! Don

 

[tnau664]

I posted the question over on the Build-It Yourself board and got great response there as well. Several folks said they had seen verticle shaft motors used. I'll just put my tiller back together and start looking for a riding mower to salvage. Hey, I might even use the hood to keep the motor covered if I need to leave the splitter in the woods overnight. (My woods, my shotgun)

Thanks to all
T

 

[tnau664]

Not likely going to work with a 5.5 HP Briggs engine, at least unless you are an engineer who loves many hours of tinkering. The flywheel will need a starter gear which is machined as part of the flywheel, then the block will need some bosses to mount a starter motor. Then you better make sure it all spins the right way. Most recoil start engines will not have that unless designed for electric start. MUCH cheaper and easier to swap the engine on the splitter with one including electric start.

Not being a jerk here, but most likely if the wife can put a log in to the splitter, she has the strength to pull start a 5.5 Briggs, they are not hard to start at all.

-Fordlords-

It's not a matter of her strength, it's my weakness. I can't let her know it's really work she's doing. She wants electric start, she gets electric start. One excuse covered. Now if I can just get her past that part about me needing the plasma cutter to make the changes!

T

 

[slowrev]

It's not a matter of her strength, it's my weakness. I can't let her know it's really work she's doing. She wants electric start, she gets electric start. One excuse covered. Now if I can just get her past that part about me needing the plasma cutter to make the changes!

T

Isn't the plasma cutter a part of the starter kit ?

 

[Gator6x4]

This location can usually advise if parts are available to convert your engine to electric start. They also offer engines at a fairly decent price.


Small Engine Warehouse - Briggs Engines

 

[Fordlords]

I'm not a log splitter expert, but can say almost without a doubt finding a good used or even brand new horizontal shaft engine with electric start to mount to the splitter will be cheaper than converting an engine to electric start or converting the hydraulic pump for a vertical shaft engine. In the case of the horizontal engine, it may only be a matter of drilling a few new holes in the engine mounting plate and bolting her up. Yes, Small Engine Warehouse can offer you up a lot of advice in these cases

-Fordlords-

 

[tnau664]

Isn't the plasma cutter a part of the starter kit ?

I like your style slowrev. I've at least got her looking at them on E-Bay. Maybe Ho Ho will get some ideas.

 

[jas67]

This location can usually advise if parts are available to convert your engine to electric start. They also offer engines at a fairly decent price.


Small Engine Warehouse - Briggs Engines

They also sell engines that are already electric start.
There was a seller on eBay selling 6HP electric-start diesel engines (Chinese-made Yanmar clones) a while back for about $400. The seller is still there, but seems to be out of these engines (he had three sizes, 4HP, 6HP, and 10HP). Now, a diesel-powered log splitter -- THAT would be cool. I have an extra 10HP (true) Yanmar diesel engine that I've been wanting to put on my log splitter, but because the cylinder is upright on it, and the briggs is on a 45 degree slant, I can just bolt it in as the exhaust would be right up against (actually interfering with) the I-beam. I would need to fabricate a vastly different mount to get it to fit.

Anyway, back to your electric-start problem. Small Engine Warehouse (link posted earlier in this thread) sells many electric start engines, several in the 5 to 6 HP range. They start around $240. Watch Craigslist and eBay. I've seen several electric start engines on Craigslist, including, recently, and 8HP briggs for $75.

 

[Gator6x4]

Check here:

Electric Starter Kits for Briggs and Stratton Engines.

Or maybe here:

Briggs & Stratton Small Engine Specifications

 

[jimcolt]

I built this splitter about 6 years ago....the engine and wheels came from a discarded Sears lawn tractor......just needed the carb cleaned to get it running. 11 HP, electric start......It does about 4 cord of wood every year for me....and another 5 to 10 cord when my neighbors borrow it! Vertical shaft engines are cheap.....and work just fine on splitters.

The main beam on this splitter is a piece of 5" x 8" rectangular tube...it also serves as the hydraulic reservoir!

Jim