Logsplitter 2.0

[LD1]

Yep, 3.5 is the "recommended" max.....but it will flow more....just higher velocity. The question would be.....does that small hose/high velocity/friction translate into enough restriction to cause the pump to shift into low speed?

Could always throw on one of these 1/4 NPT 5 GPM PRINCE WFC-4 IN-LINE FLOW CONTROL if you have to

 

[rswyan]

Yep, 3.5 is the "recommended" max.....but it will flow more....just higher velocity. The question would be.....does that small hose/high velocity/friction translate into enough restriction to cause the pump to shift into low speed?

Yup.

Could always throw on one of these 1/4 NPT 5 GPM PRINCE WFC-4 IN-LINE FLOW CONTROL if you have to

I'm liking that ... it's adjustable and the price is reasonable ... :thumbsup:

 

[rswyan]

Ok, got the 3" x 8" cylinder for log lift plumbed in using the existing 1/4 hoses.

Dunno if it's the hoses, where I have the pump's unloader set (doubtful- since the push block cylinder still extends quick), or just the valve being easier to feather at this point, but the raise/lower speed is now acceptable. It may even get slower once a large round is loaded and the pump shifts in high pressure/low flow mode - if it isn't already operating there.

One thing I missed is that using the larger diameter cylinder created a clearance issue with the body of the cylinder and the log lift itself. Had to fab up a new tab for the pin and weld it on ... not necessarily a bad thing as the old one was only 3/4" plate ... made the new one out of 1" plate.

Trying to collect up various pins and stuff that have gotten misplaced at this point, install the table grate, and then may pull it out of the shop and test it out ... although I still need to weld up the 4-way wedge ... might do that first.

 

[LD1]

I am guessing you are already operating on low flow high pressure.

I don't recall what pump you have, but a 3x8 cylinder holds 1/4 gallon. With just an 11 gpm pump, it would take a mere 1.3 seconds to fully extend. That would be a slingshot.

On a low flow high pressure of around 3 gpm....it would be closer to 5 seconds.

 

[CADplans]

rswyan, I just finished reading your woodsplitter thread, and wanted to thank you for taking the time to do it!!
You ended up with a great looking machine, I am sure it will look even better with paint.
I am sure I will be borrowing some ideas to update my splitter.

When you do paint, think about stopping at a decal cutting company, and ask them if they have any throw away decals that were cut wrong etc,,,
The decals can be meaningless,,, but, add a professional touch.
I added some decals to my DIY woodsplitter,,,,
one decal had been a business name,, another was a phone number.
Simply re-arrange the letters into something that suits you,, for zero dollars,, it really adds a finishing touch.
I also used some red decal material as an accent strip,,,

When you add the hooks, I would recommend 3/8" or larger, and a high grade.
I was removing a 12" maple stump, and after digging close to 4 feet all the way around it, my 10,000 pound 4WD tractor would not shake it.
I ended up using the splitter to pull the stump.
I chained the splitter to a 24" tree with a 6" wide nylon lift strap used to anchor to the large tree, at its base..
With constant tension on the stump from the splitter, and time, and some rocking using the splitter, the stump finally released.
I am sure I would have broke 5/16" hooks or chains.

How has the outfeed rack worked out? I have not added one, yet,
as I am afraid that if it isn't strong enough, a twisted piece of wood will bend the rack.

 

[rswyan]

Fixed a minor interference issue with one of the capture plates that bolts onto the bottom of the push block ...was hitting the tubes the fixed cradle is attached to, that is opposite the log lift. Wasn't a real big deal ... but it was causing the push block to tilt slightly on one side every time it ran past the cradle.

Started working on the 4-way ... the steel plate pieces I have for it are less than ideal ... a couple of pieces that were made up from separate pieces themselves (4 ---> 2) ... they are a little warped. Will try to tack them up and see if they will still slip-on both ways before I weld the wedges on. If not I'll spring for virgin steel.

Still missing a couple of pins that I can't seem to find ...

 

[rswyan]

I am guessing you are already operating on low flow high pressure.

Dunno ... but at this point I suspect that the feathering of the valve may what's causing it to operate as slow as it is.

I was looking at the pressure gauge last night while I was operating it to check for clearances, etc. and it was showing around 400 psi or so - with the cylinder acting against only the weight of the log lift itself (no log loaded)

Feathering the control valve doesn't seem to be as hard/touchy as I remember it last year.

I don't recall what pump you have, but a 3x8 cylinder holds 1/4 gallon. With just an 11 gpm pump, it would take a mere 1.3 seconds to fully extend. That would be a slingshot.

Yup.

It's an older Barnes 13 gpm.

On a low flow high pressure of around 3 gpm....it would be closer to 5 seconds.

Yup.

 

[rswyan]

rswyan, I just finished reading your woodsplitter thread, and wanted to thank you for taking the time to do it!!

My pleasure

You ended up with a great looking machine, I am sure it will look even better with paint.
I am sure I will be borrowing some ideas to update my splitter.

When you do paint, think about stopping at a decal cutting company, and ask them if they have any throw away decals that were cut wrong etc,,,
The decals can be meaningless,,, but, add a professional touch.
I added some decals to my DIY woodsplitter,,,,
one decal had been a business name,, another was a phone number.
Simply re-arrange the letters into something that suits you,, for zero dollars,, it really adds a finishing touch.
I also used some red decal material as an accent strip,,,

Very nice job :thumbsup:

When you add the hooks, I would recommend 3/8" or larger, and a high grade.
I was removing a 12" maple stump, and after digging close to 4 feet all the way around it, my 10,000 pound 4WD tractor would not shake it.
I ended up using the splitter to pull the stump.
I chained the splitter to a 24" tree with a 6" wide nylon lift strap used to anchor to the large tree, at its base..
With constant tension on the stump from the splitter, and time, and some rocking using the splitter, the stump finally released.
I am sure I would have broke 5/16" hooks or chains.

Great idea and interesting use to put it to !

How has the outfeed rack worked out? I have not added one, yet,
as I am afraid that if it isn't strong enough, a twisted piece of wood will bend the rack.

It has worked fairly well ... but I have bent the pipes a little on several occasions, where I wasn't paying close enough attention and a split caught one before it was split all the way through.

I wanted to use Schedule 80 pipe but my supplier was out of it and it would have taken a week or so to get in IIRC ... so I settled for Schedule 40.

And I actually wish I had made it a little longer - it's 3' IIRC - 4' would have been better.

 

[300UGUY]

I've got a 3 point splitter I want to use on a Farmall H, but I gotta get the H running first. It's always something....

 

[rswyan]

I've got a 3 point splitter I want to use on a Farmall H, but I gotta get the H running first. It's always something....

Always ... :wink: