home made log splitter

mac230305 · May 14, 2019

Hi
Live in Italy so using European spec's
Need some help,
designed my own log splitter which is based on 16cm (6") I-beam (see photo) it has a 13t ram with 400mm (16") stroke but due to control value by-pass set (125 bar)is putting out only 8t, but is working fine on 99% on the logs. my issue is the beam is getting damage on the leading edge of the beam

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/images/attach/jpg.gif

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/images/attach/jpg.gif
any ideas ? is the beam twisting? I was planning to increase by-pass value pressure but I am holding off due to this issue

Shaneard · May 14, 2019

Looks like you have to tight of tolerance on your slide. Try some grease and see if it helps, it'll be hard to keep grease on it but it may help break it in. If grease doesn't help it grind some off the edges of the I-beam.

texasranger556 · May 14, 2019

Can you post pictures of your carriage/pusher? Does it move freely back and forth without the ram attached? During the splitting stroke I would think medium size logs would cause the carriage to lift off the beam and cause marks on the underside of the top flange, so it makes me think it could be binding on the return stroke. But then again 16" stroke is fairly small so maybe your logs are smaller than I'm used to.

mac230305 · May 14, 2019

the pusher can be moved forward and back by hand. the logs are only a max of 20" it is hardwood some is very knotty and the damage on the I beam is only on the upper edge. I think it must be trying to twist on a particularly hard log

George2615 · May 14, 2019

:welcome: to TBN
Is it possible the piston is not exactly centered on the push plate (both left and right or up and down)? If not centered it could be pushing the plate on an angle causing I beam edge damage.

davedj1 · May 14, 2019

I'm going with too tight of a tolerance as well. When I built mine I looked at some boughten ones and they were sloppy as heck (after some usage) so I decided it didn't have to be that tight. Never had an issue.

Dave M7040 · May 14, 2019

I think what is happening is that your sliding piece is being bent forward by the action of the ram.

Being bent forward is causing it to dig into the beam.

Post some photos of the side of the sliding piece. It may need to be much sturdier.

Dave M7040