Hydraulic log splitter pump

[woodsman12]

If I increase the hydraulic pump on my log splitter from a 16 gpm to a 28 gpm and use a 18 hp twin cylinder onan gas engine instead of a 12 hp gas engine will this engine be able to handle it if not what size pump will I need. Thanks woodsman12

 

[Suz]

According to the formula you should use about a 32 hp engine to drive a 22 gpm pump set at 2500 #

HORSEPOWER INPUT = FLOW RATE OUTPUT(GPM) x PRESSURE(PSIG) divided by: 1714 x EFFICIENCY(Overall)

22 x 2500 =55,000 divided by 1714 = 32.9 HP.
I checked a chart that I found online and it confirmed this horsepower requirements.

 

[kennyd]

What size is your tank and hoses? They may not be up to the higher GPM either.

 

[AKKAMAAN]

According to the formula you should use about a 32 hp engine to drive a 22 gpm pump set at 2500 #

HORSEPOWER INPUT = FLOW RATE OUTPUT(GPM) x PRESSURE(PSIG) divided by: 1714 x EFFICIENCY(Overall)

22 x 2500 =55,000 divided by 1714 = 32.9 HP.
I checked a chart that I found online and it confirmed this horsepower requirements.

Thats right if you run max power (22x2500/1714) constantly....
But this si supposed to be a two stage pump and high flow will be at about 650PSI......and low speed at 12500psi 5,5 GPM_?? whatever....
so we wont need more than 22x650/1714 or 5.5x2500/1714...

15hp should be good enough

I also think splitting logs has a very special pressure cycle most of the time....
Logs crack upp afteran inch or two of wedge penetration, and thats during about a second....that will not be enough time to "kill" the engine if it is a little "under powered"......

Se that Super Spliiter that is powered with a 5hp?? and split with a fly wheel inertia...

 

[J_J]

The 18 will run it just fine. If that is a two stage pump and the GPM's look about right, then you only need a 16, but if that is all you have, use it. Most log splitter valves are 25 GPM, So if you think the valve might not be able to handle it, just decrease the engine rpm.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2252011018590210&item=9-7724&catname=hydraulic

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2252011018590210&item=9-4897&catname=hydraulic

 

[Suz]

I also think splitting logs has a very special pressure cycle most of the time....
Logs crack upp afteran inch or two of wedge penetration, and thats during about a second....that will not be enough time to "kill" the engine if it is a little "under powered"......

Se that Super Spliiter that is powered with a 5hp?? and split with a fly wheel inertia...

When you have a round that is like this many times the splitter 'cuts' it's way through the whole length of the wood. Rounds like this do not "split"! We have come across a few chunks that take a lot of repositioning before the wood will split even with the 30 ton setup I have.

 

[jinman]

When you have a round that is like this many times the splitter 'cuts' it's way through the whole length of the wood. Rounds like this do not "split"! We have come across a few chunks that take a lot of repositioning before the wood will split even with the 30 ton setup I have.

Jim, from your picture, I think you are missing a great excuse/chance to have some fun with explosives.

 

[AKKAMAAN]

When you have a round that is like this many times the splitter 'cuts' it's way through the whole length of the wood. Rounds like this do not "split"! We have come across a few chunks that take a lot of repositioning before the wood will split even with the 30 ton setup I have.

Well, now you got extreme!!

Nice log lift dude!!

 

[Wayne_H]

I don't want to dispute Suz, but I'm not sure you need that many horses for a 22 GPM 3000 PSI pump. More like 13 HP will be just fine. Check out some of the commercial splitters made by Rayco, Timberwolf etc and they all use 13 HP engines with 22 GPM 3000 PSI pumps. Also, the splitter I just put together seems to do well with 13 HP and that pump.

Wayne

 

[Suz]

Hi Wayne,
I'm not arguing about the engine size needed. When I posted my forumla for the engine size didn't think it through very well. I only have a 13 hp on our splitter and it very seldom kicks the governor in even to split this big stuff.

IMHO the only time you need a big engine is if a single stage pump is being used.

BTW, nice splitter.

 

[chuck diesel]

I have a 18hp briggs on my log splitter with a 22gpm pump. Its a waste of gas. I think it would be best to have the biggest single cylinder engine you can find. 16hp would be fine.
Plus if you have 28gpm pump your valve most likely a 25gpm so right there you are building heat in the system. i hope you have 3/4" hoses.
When upgrade your pump you should upgrade your hydro. tank. Rule of thumb: the tank should be the same size as your pump out put. The cooler the oil is the longer the life is of your pump. Good luck

arboristsite.com has all you will ever need as for splitter ???'s. You will find most of your info under the firewood section.

 

[J_J]

As long as you meet the HP requirements of the pump, They will get the job done. A larger engine will gain nothing, as the pressure and GPM have been met. All of the two stage pumps have the same pressure ratings. The 28 GPM has the largest displacement of the group of two stage log splitters, and only needs 12 HP to run it. Either add another tank to fulfill the 28 GPM requirement. or install a 28 GPM tank

 

[Wayne County Hose]

When you have a round that is like this many times the splitter 'cuts' it's way through the whole length of the wood. Rounds like this do not "split"! We have come across a few chunks that take a lot of repositioning before the wood will split even with the 30 ton setup I have.

If you positioned the piece so that the wedge goes through a big crack instead of solid wood, it would split much easier. I used to do pieces this size and bigger by hand. Had a Go-Devil, sledge, and 2 wedges.

I have yet to see a log splitter with even half as big a tank as the pump has GPM.

 

[J_J]

You are probably right, due to the log splitter is not used in a constant mode. The engineers have been slowly dropping the tank size, mainly for mobile applications. I believe a one to one GPM ratio is used for mobile systems. I still think the large plants that use hydraulics, use 3 times the pump volume for the tank size. As long as the operating temperature is kept with in about 180 to 220 degrees, it should be safe enough and give some longevity to the hydraulics system.

 

[AKKAMAAN]

A system with gravity load, lika a chip trailer hoist, will need more tank volume. Because of heat generated when throttling down load.....100% energy go to heat in valves...that might be what generated this custom ...."3 times the pump flow"....