Full-size electric wood splitter

[RonL]

Ed

As Paul pointed out a hydraulic cylinder has less force on the return stroke so you would have to split your tough pieces on the forward stroke. The valves used for log splitters are spring loaded on the forward stroke so that you have to hold the valve while in the splitting stroke. This is for safety purposes. A valve for a two way splitter would probably need to be spring centered on both strokes. The return stroke on a one way is usually a detent with a pressure release. That is, the ram retracts back to starting position and kicks to centered position. I've found that while working by myself the ram has usually retracted by the time I've picked up another piece of wood to split. I don't think a two way would be any faster with one person splitting. Two people could probably keep a two way splitter going back and forth constantly. Maybe someone with experience on the splitfire could comment?

RonL

 

[firewoodman]

Ron, I have a split-fire. I have used many other types and believe this is far superior to any others. That said, in a one-man operation, a two-way machine is probably not much faster than a one-way. There are other things to consider such as how with the split-fire the wood stays on the platform (no re-lifting) and the strength of the box tube design (does not flex like an I-beam). Now, add in a 2, 3 or 4 man operation and it cannot be matched.

 

[RonL]

Firewoodman

Thanks for the insight on the splitfire wood splitter. Interesting concept.

Ed

The Barnes two stage pumps are basically two pumps connected together. The two pumps work together until a predetermined pressure at which point the higher displacement pump kicks out of the circuit. The lower displacement pump runs up to the full pressure. The Barnes 11 and 13 GPM two stage pumps use the same low displacement pump with the 13 GPM pump using a larger high displacement section. The 16 GPM pump has larger low and high volume sections. The pumps are rated at 85% efficiency and come from the manufacturer with the crossover point set at 650 PSI. By my calculations the 11 GPM needs 5.0 HP input at its crossover point and at 2500 PSI ( with a 3450 RPM motor). The 13 GPM pump ( with 3450 RPM motor) needs 5.72 HP input at its crossover point and 5.61 HP at 2750 PSI. I've already given the specs for the 16 GPM pump. The 11 GPM pump would be a good match for a 5 HP motor with a service factor of 1.0 . The 13 GPM pump would be a good match for a 5 HP motor with a service factor of 1.15. These setups would probably last a lifetime and would be a good choice if absolute speed was not the number one priority. Baldor has an open drip proof 5 HP motor with a 56C face ( model # PCL1327M ) that is relatively inexpensive and has a service factor of 1.0 . This was the motor that I was originally going to use. I switched it out for the Leeson model # 131632 . This is a TEFC 5 HP motor with a service factor of 1.15 .

I found a good sight for pump adapters and couplers:

http://www.magnaloy.com

RonL

 

[RonL]

Thought you might like a picture of the pump, motor, and adapter. The adapter and coupling are from Magnaloy.

RonL

 

[RonL]

Assembled. I may have used too much compression on the picture.
The motor is a Leeson 5 HP with a 1.15 Service Factor. TEFC. Weighs 103 pounds. The pump is a barnes 11GPM model. I figure this combo should last for the rest of my life.

RonL

 

[djradz]

Re: Fqll-size electric wood splitter

Ron, what did I miss? I thought with a 1.15 sf motor and your calculations that you would have gone with the 13 gpm pump.

 

[RonL]

I had the 11 GPM pump. If I were to do it over I would probably go with the 13 GPM pump.

RonL

 

[rds1555]

how about air .

 

[bontai_Joe]

how about air .

Hydraulics work because liquids do not compress in volume. Air would be a lot slower as you would have to wait for the air pressure to build as it compresses down until it reaches a high enough PSI to over come the resistance of the wood splitting. Cycle times would be unpredictable at best,

 

[okclumberjack]

hey ron app. your home work on the electric log splitter . i have been also trying too determine what size of everything to use , have you got yours up & running yet