Logsplitter 2.0

[LD1]

Since its just a splitter, I'd put the oil into something with a bottom drain, let it set for a few days, and drain the water off the bottom.

What is left will boil out if you manage to run the splitter long enough and get the oil over 212 degrees.

 

[rswyan]

LD,

Thanks for the input.

Yeah ... I'm going to have a look at it when I head up to the shop today, to see how much more it's separated if any.

I have a little hand-held battery operated pump that is sold to fill kerosene heaters ... might try using that to skim the clear(er) oil off the top, back into the 10 gallon tank ... or just dump all of it in there. Then maybe stick a 500w halogen light or two right next to the tank pointing at it, as I understand having it warmer helps the water to separate from the oil.

Then use the petcock to drain whatever I can off the bottom of the tank.

Another alternative is to use a pot and an hot plate (or a crockpot) and see if I can't cook it out ... here's a previous TBN thread that discusses something along those lines ... with a variety of opinions on the wisdom of doing so ... :

Purging milky oil from system

 

[rswyan]

Meant to post these two pics yesterday. They show the plates on the underside of the push block, that capture the push block to the beam. I think the plates are 3/8" thick x 3" wide.

Notice the edge at the very front, where there isn't a bolt and how it's bent down:

The side shown in the first photo seems to be the worst of the two.

I think this was caused by trying to split rounds that wanted to cause the push block to rise up off the beam.

Questions are:

1. How concerned should I be about this ?

2. Should I trim those plates on the bottom back some, closer to the bolts that secure them to the push block ?

3. Do I need to consider using a thicker plate for those pieces ?

In other news, I tried using an electric countertop warming plate to heat up some water, thinking about trying to get the water out of the hydraulic fluid. It didn't get hot enough really ... couldn't boil the water.

I've been thinking about picking up an electric countertop burner to do that. They are relatively cheap ($10 or so) ... Walmart offers one with adjustable temperature settings that gets hot enough to melt zinc (785 degrees) when on "High" ... had the wife look for one while she was out shoe shopping yesterday ... she tried Walmart, Target, and Lowes and couldn't find anything ... so it might be something you have to order in.

 

[LD1]

I'd put a bolt in the front and squeeze it back down.

As to the oil, if you are dead-set you want to boil it, best thing I can think of is get a propane turkey fryer.

 

[rswyan]

I'd put a bolt in the front and squeeze it back down.

The photos are kind of deceiving as far as the setback of the bolts from the edge ... I don't think there is enough room there to drill a hole and get a bolt with its head (and/or a nut) ... due to interference with the upright portion of the push block.

If memory serves, I think I actually had it drilled for another bolt in the front of the bottom of the push block, but ran into the interference issue and filled the holes in.

In hindsight, I probably just should have ground back the weld a little and went with it.

Or made a better design decision as far as hole placement goes.

As to the oil, if you are dead-set you want to boil it, best thing I can think of is get a propane turkey fryer.

I don't think I'm going to actually have to boil it ... the water should evaporate/steam off somewhere below the boiling point.

As far as the turkey fryer goes, know where I can pick one up for $9.95 ?

Another thing that concerns me about the turkey fryer is the open flame in proximity to hot oil ...

 

[LD1]

Another thing that concerns me about the turkey fryer is the open flame in proximity to hot oil ...

People cook turkeys all the time like that

 

[/pine]

Heck...Just take it in the kitchen and put it on the stove...The wife won't mind...! be sure to turn the exhaust fan on though...!

 

[Ford850]

I didn't know there was anyone left who didn't have a turkey fryer.
Mine gets used for lots, including trap dying, canning, fish fries, huge batches of french fries onion rings and mushrooms, stews, etc. I don't know the last time I used it for a turkey though.
When my brother organizes a fish fry, I think more guys show up with fryers than with beer, unfortunately.

 

[rswyan]

People cook turkeys all the time like that

Good point ... lol ...

 

[rswyan]

Heck...Just take it in the kitchen and put it on the stove...The wife won't mind...! be sure to turn the exhaust fan on though...!

I've already been banned from using the kitchen for anything shop-related ...

Apparently she didn't much care for that lingering odor ... after I used her oven for baking enamel ...