Log splitter build

[Zeus1]

This weekend I finally made some good progress on my home built log splitter. I got the beam complete except for two brackets on the bottom where it bolts to the hydro tank. I got the hydro tank tacked up. I know it is over kill as to the size, gonna take +- 20 gallons to fill it up. Got tires hubs and some fittings for the hydro tank gonna be here tomorrow. The cylinder, valve, pump and motor should be here by Wednesday. Anyway posted some photos of my progress.

thanks

 

[RobertBrown]

Good for you man!
Looks like it's just about to start looking like a log splitter. I guess the tank is in the first and third picture?
Are just shooting from the hip here or do you have some plans?
Any specs on the cylinder and pump/motor yet?
Gas or electric?

 

[Zeus1]

Good for you man!
Looks like it's just about to start looking like a log splitter. I guess the tank is in the first and third picture?
Are just shooting from the hip here or do you have some plans?
Any specs on the cylinder and pump/motor yet?
Gas or electric?

Oh yea. Found a full set off cad drawings on the Internet with a complete parts list too of a horizontal version. I changed that to a horizontal/vertical version. The hydro tank as being a piece of stainless pipe was my doings. Just what I got free and could make it work. Motor is a horizontal Briggs 1150 (8-9 hp), 16 gpm Haldex 2 stage pump with a 4"x24" cylinder all new. Got about 75' of 1/2" 3500 psi hydro hose too for free (only used for a couple days for testing some equipment). I hope to be testing next weekend.

thanks

 

[woodgrub]

Oh yea. Found a full set off cad drawings on the Internet with a complete parts list too of a horizontal version. I changed that to a horizontal/vertical version. The hydro tank as being a piece of stainless pipe was my doings. Just what I got free and could make it work. Motor is a horizontal Briggs 1150 (8-9 hp), 16 gpm Haldex 2 stage pump with a 4"x24" cylinder all new. Got about 75' of 1/2" 3500 psi hydro hose too for free (only used for a couple days for testing some equipment). I hope to be testing next weekend.

thanks

hi, don,t forget to brace both ends of the beam,and 1 just behind your wedgeon ram or it will twist like licorice with enough force with a knarly block.my 2 cents.

 

[J_J]

You might think about what log splitter valve you need or will need in the future .

Single lever valve, two lever valve using one as the log lift, two lever auto valve, etc.

Maybe a wedge lift cyl also.

 

[Sledgie]

You don't have to fill the whole tank with oil, as long as your suction is on the lowest spot. The more oil you have the cooler it will run, but I run my splitter on less than 5 gallons of oil and have never had any problems.

 

[Zeus1]

Photos of my work in progress. Hope it is running by Sunday evening!

thanks

 

[RobertBrown]

Looks good...you have skills and work fast.
I read a post here recently about a log that left the splitter prematurely and with considerable velocity.
You may want to consider incorprating provisions to avoid this.
please keep the photos comming and thanks for your time and this thread.

 

[chad22]

Photos of my work in progress. Hope it is running by Sunday evening!

thanks

Looks great can't wait to see the finished product. I may build one one of these days.

Chad

 

[bubbacuse77]

Look'n good

 

[turnkey4099]

You should consider adding some stiffeners to the foot plate. Mosst commercial ones use 1 1/2 or 1 3/4' plate for it and I have seen pictures of them bent. I can't really tell how thick yours is but it doesn't look but 3/4 or 1". Yes it will screw up the 'vertical mode'.

I am a fan of horizontal only as all the running gear gets in the way of the operator when in verticle mode. Unfortunately I didn't have an extra $1,000 to spend when I bought my replacement for the old (20 year) homebuilt. Not many horizontal only out there and they are all high end prices.

Harry K

 

[Zeus1]

The bottom plate is 1" AR-400. I dont know if you know what that is but it is some really hard plate. We roll it in some big plate rolls and it takes about 400 tons of hydraulic force to bend it so I do not think my 20 ton splitter will ever fase it. Thanks for the sugestion though! The wedge is also built out of AR plate.

 

[turnkey4099]

That should more than do it!!!

I used some T1 to make drillbushings for my drilling pattersn (worked at an ag equip manufacturing plant). That stuff would harden up so far I thought it might shatter if dropped.

Harry K

 

[jimmysisson]

To me, almost the most important part of the splitter is the table, so if you're splitting something bigger than one split, the pieces don't fall on the ground. I think I ruined my back being macho when younger/dumber so the bending is hard. Especially when it's avoidable, with tables on both sides.
The log lift is great too, but you'd be happy to even have a couple of tables.
I like the clean lines that show the good planning of your splitter, better than my old cob job.
Jim

 

[Zeus1]

Got the splitter fully assembled. Had an issue with the pump mounting bracket. Mabe next weekend I can crack some wood! All it needs is a bracket 1" longer, and oil/gas in the motor, and hydro oil in the tank and she will be ready to go!

thanks

 

[woodgrub]

Nice looking unit ,maybe consider some protection for tank filter from wood falling on it.:thumbsup: Plenty of tank volume to keep it cool,most store bought splitters ,some homemades when worked real hard get way too hot.been there myself,modified,upgraded tanks to be able to be worked all day in all sorts of temps.:2cents:

 

[joesco]

Are you planning to build a cradle and mount it on the i-beam? Very great work!

 

[drs1023]

I'm currently using my third shop built wood splitter. It's also a horozontal/vertical model built using a trailer axle with 14" Ford wheels. It pulls nice on the road using the larger wheels. I bought all three engines (and a few more, too) from Smallenginewarehouse.com. I use the Honda 5.5 HP vertical shaft ones, and they work well. I've fabricated all the pump housing adapters from angle iron and plate. The valve I have on my current splitter locks on when splitting, and I have to hold it to return. I bought a new valve and an 11 gpm 2-stage pump (eBay), hoses (local), 4" x 24" cylinder (Tractor Supply), and coupler. Everything else was repurposed from something else such as the beam, tongue, LP tank from a BBQ grill converted to the hydraulic tank, etc. One of the ones I built and sold had polished 14" aluminum wheels, one had 13" Honda wheels, and this one has 14" wagon wheels. I have just over $600 in a splitter that would cost around $1250 ~ $1900 at Home Depot, Lowe's, TSC, etc. The ones I've seen using the same size engine, pump and cylinder are rated from 22 to 27 tons. I just know it will split 30" hickory with minimal strain, so ratings aren't that important to me. However, if I ever build another one, I will go to the 16 gpm pump for the extra speed on the return stroke.

 

[Zeus1]

I'm currently using my third shop built wood splitter. It's also a horozontal/vertical model built using a trailer axle with 14" Ford wheels. It pulls nice on the road using the larger wheels. I bought all three engines (and a few more, too) from Smallenginewarehouse.com. I use the Honda 5.5 HP vertical shaft ones, and they work well. I've fabricated all the pump housing adapters from angle iron and plate. The valve I have on my current splitter locks on when splitting, and I have to hold it to return. I bought a new valve and an 11 gpm 2-stage pump (eBay), hoses (local), 4" x 24" cylinder (Tractor Supply), and coupler. Everything else was repurposed from something else such as the beam, tongue, LP tank from a BBQ grill converted to the hydraulic tank, etc. One of the ones I built and sold had polished 14" aluminum wheels, one had 13" Honda wheels, and this one has 14" wagon wheels. I have just over $600 in a splitter that would cost around $1250 ~ $1900 at Home Depot, Lowe's, TSC, etc. The ones I've seen using the same size engine, pump and cylinder are rated from 22 to 27 tons. I just know it will split 30" hickory with minimal strain, so ratings aren't that important to me. However, if I ever build another one, I will go to the 16 gpm pump for the extra speed on the return stroke.

Sounds very similar to me. All the steel was drops from something else. Now I bought the wheels, motor pump and cylinder strictly for this splitter.
I have an old bonds gx390 th gonna use, but I think I'm gonna use that for a different build. This splitter turned out pretty close to where I had planed. Though along the way I got lots of new Ideas!

After I had started building, I got a ton of new ideas for the next splitter I have in mind. Well, it's more of a firewood processor, but it's gonna split wood too. Thinking somewhere around a 6" cylinder, mabe bigger. I want to build a big splitter, that can split whole rounds at once. Something with a 18 way wedge. There would be an attachment to hold the logs on the ground with a bar in the end to buck the wood. Mount one of those small track hoe arms on the splitter to drag the logs around for bucking and load the splitter. Yea, it's kinda out there. Got some of it on paper. Mabe in a couple years, when I get a good design on paper, gather up some parts, cylinders, etc, I will get started. We shall se where it takes me. With the warm climate down here, winter doesn't last long. Even between my dad and I, we barely burn 4-5 cords of wood.

thanks

 

[Tractor man Kenny]

Nice job, looks great !!