My LOGSPLITTER Build

LD1 · Mar 22, 2014

Hydraulic hoses havent showed up yet. So thats looking like monday. As is the jack.

Other than that, I got maybe an hour left putting the pump plate on, and then I need to remove the brakes from the truck axle. (one is hanging up).

So hopefully when I get home from work in the morning, I can get that done and shoot some primer before I nap. Then when I get up shoot some color. By the time hydraulic hoses and jack get here, paint should be dry and only a hour or so throwing them on and Im ready to split...:thumbsup:

arrow · Mar 22, 2014

I think a 4 way wedge is an invaluable tool. No matter how fast your splitter will be, there is always room for more speed. (sort of like when you build a high performance engine and no matter what you've done you want more.) One stroke and yur done. Doesn't need to be anything elaborate. What I like about mine is that it "floats" to meet the center of the round. I limit it to about a 14" diam. round. Wedge is on and off in a second or two.

mikefromnh · Mar 22, 2014

LD1 said:
Hard to see how they are driving it? I know it says hydrostat, and their appears to be hydraulic lines running to the wheels, but I wonder how he incorporated that with a truck rear-end? I dont see it being driven by the pinion.

Wish there were better pics of that one,,,,

I read the description again and it sounds like the front wheel is the drive wheel and the rear axle steers (from an accord) -- though the description is confusing. I couldn't find any more pics.

LD1 · Mar 22, 2014

If I do make a 4-way it will be a slip on like that. We have one that looks almost identical for the other splitter. But that is down the road though. Just focusing on getting this right first.

nwngunner · Mar 22, 2014

LD1 if i were you, i would add an additional spool on to my valve, and run hard lines up your beam and get your self an old hay or corn elevator. Place a hydrualic motor on the elevator and get some pioneere disconnects. That way you can take it off if you want, other wise after you split your peice drop it on the elevator up to the truck it goes. Cut down on how much you have to handle each peice.

2458n · Mar 23, 2014

I really like the 4-way and elevator ideas. Mine does not have either feature, but have accumulated all the pieces over the years. Glad to see you at work on yours.

LD1 · Mar 24, 2014

Got the paint on yesterday:

Primed:

And painted

LD1 · Mar 24, 2014

nwngunner said:
LD1 if i were you, i would add an additional spool on to my valve, and run hard lines up your beam and get your self an old hay or corn elevator. Place a hydrualic motor on the elevator and get some pioneere disconnects. That way you can take it off if you want, other wise after you split your peice drop it on the elevator up to the truck it goes. Cut down on how much you have to handle each peice.

I hardly ever split and load directly onto the truck. If I am going to the woods to cut, I am going to cut. Not split.

I haul the rounds home, and usually split as I unload the truck, and stack up between trees to season. So I dont forsee me ever doing an elevator.

mx842 · Mar 24, 2014

LD1 said:
Got the paint on yesterday:

Primed:
View attachment 366948 View attachment 366949

And painted
View attachment 366950 View attachment 366951

Looking good.......can't wait til we get a report on how it works. Seems a shame to mess up all that pretty paint though:thumbsup:

Texasmark · Mar 24, 2014

LD1 said:
Over the past few months I have started a few threads and asked lots of questions about building my splitter.

Well, I am underway now. Cylinder, valve, pump, filter, and suction strainer should be delivered today. I already have steel, beam, tank, motor, and an axle to use. Will get hoses made once I get things assembled and figure exactally what I need.

This will likely take me a few weeks, but will keep things updated as I go.

Here is some shots of the wedge and beam. I took shieldarc's idea for how to attach. And I left the beam long for a good secure point for attaching the table.

Here is the wedge and beam.
View attachment 365687 View attachment 365688 View attachment 365689 View attachment 365690

Really nice metal working. In the building of mine I started out with a piece of 3/8" sharpened steel for the wedge (like yours but not as pretty a machining job), cutter or what you choose to call it. I found that the cutter sliced the logs, like a butcher knife slices meat, rather than popped them open.

At the time I was running a shorter cylinder and that obviously hampered success as I ran out of travel before I had the log split. I then added a wedge as pictured on my post and by the 4th iteration I had what worked really well. The wedge is back from the leading edge to give the point time to get into the log and start the splitting process then after about an inch or so of that, the wedge forces the log to separate by expanding about 15 or so degrees on both sides. Once I added the 24" stroke cylinder it was a walk in the park.

On the question of 2 stage pumps and speed, the literature supplied with mine, which seems to be a popular model made for the purpose, said that the pump changes stages internally by pressure relief valves and as the wedge engages the log and the pressure builds up, the pressure relief valve in the pump automatically diverts the fluid to the high pressure stage. With that said, I doubt that velocity of the fluid would keep you from getting the benefit of the 2nd stage. Personal opinion but makes sense to me.

Mark