new BALLS

[Wayne_H]

Ok, finally starting on the Big Ash Log and Limb Splitter. (BALLS)

Using some W8x40 beam. Got the log lift built and tested (with air). Wedge and blocks put in. I cheated on the push plate though... Bought a kit version of the plate from them. It is a monster!

Using a 5x24 Prince for the ram, 2x10 on the lift, and 2x4 for the wedge. Tomorrow I hope to mount the 25 gallon hydraulic tank.

I've got some good ideas for this from the rayco and Timberwolf splitters.

I'll post more pictures next time I make some progress!

Wayne

 

[Diamondpilot]

Looks like a beast.

Chris

 

[kennyd]

Nice job Wayne, Let me know when you want me over to plumb it for you

 

[Wayne_H]

Kenny: The plumbing looks straightforward, just need to find a way to keep it all neat! The hardest part now is moving the beam around since I'd rather weld looking down, so I need to be able to rotate it. And every time I do more, it gets heavier!

Wayne

 

[radioman]

looks huge! can you explain the reasoning of the splitter wedge ? I see its sharpened until last 1 inch at bottom of beam. it sticks out and it sharpened there. I never seen this before.

 

[Wayne_H]

Radioman: Good question. The vertical wedge is designed to have a slip on four way wedge to fit over the top. If you look at the Timberwolf TW-5, it will be the same wedge they use.

A picture of the TW-5 is here Timberwolf Wood Processing Equipment

Did not get much done today, the dog wanted to go out. At least the fold down leg that is on the wedge end is done. The splitter is upside down in this picture of course!

Wayne

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Nice job Wayne. Does the wedge move up or down hydraulicly? It looks like it will be able to split rocks if you wanted.
Bill

 

[Wayne_H]

The wedge that slips over the stationary wedge will move up and down. I copied the TW-5 and used a 2"x4" cylinder. Not quite how effective it will be, just seemed like a good idea at the time. For the slip over portion I bought a pre-built part from Timberwolf, pics later.

Wayne

 

[GE222]

Wayne,
Nice job!
Keep adding more pictures!

I regret not having added a movable horizontal wedge on my splitter.
Makes me want to start planning a larger unit myself, as if I really need another project.

What size wire are you running in your welder for all of the heavy welds?

 

[jimmyj]

Wow that is a monster. It's going to work great and I love the 4 way wedge bit. As said, please keep posting, your work looks great.

 

[kebo]

Yep, super job on it! Looks like it will split whatever you can get to fit on it. If I may point out, I would take a side grinder and grind off all the sharp corners everywhere you can get a shin, knee, or thigh close to it before you paint it. Just a little safety thing to keep in mind but you were probably planning to do that already.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Wow, I didn't realize wood splitters were so sophisticated. Unless you get alot of oversize pieces I would think a simple two speed controller for the ram could do the job just as quick, alot less controls and waiting. This is truely the professional model though.

 

[Renze]

You need to turn the Amps on your welder just a wee bit higher.

 

[CowwFace]

Hey Wayne,

Are you going to power it from the tractor hydraulic pump, or is it going to be off of the PTO, or it's own engine?

I think your Grandkids will be using that machine!

Phill

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...The hardest part now is moving the beam around since I'd rather weld looking down...

I hear you. I've tipped trailers on their side before with my tractor loader to get the weld in the right position. I'll sometimes tack stuff together with the project in the correct orientation. When the project is assembled, I'll proceed to finish weld all the seams that are in the right place. Then I'll flip the project again welding all the seems that have now moved into the right place. Five more flips and it's back to the right orientation and ready for prep and paint.

Disclaimer: This advice comes from a novice amateur working with outdated and inferior equipment.

 

[tthopskin@yahoo.ca]

I built one and it all broke i had the pump freeze I changed the ram the oil the controls finally the pump... then I busted the head off put a new one on and I had to cut it off and weld back on at a angle it mad it easier to split and less push on the splitting head I see yours is square to the beam if you see it is working hard you may want too look at this I my self hate the peanut gallery some one always has advice and don't know what your even doing but this happen too me and I beefed up every thing ..............changed the head works good now Brian

 

[Scotty370]

Gee, And I thought I was the only one that kept welding things together 'til I couldn't move it! I've found my engine 'cherry-picker' has gotten me out of some jams! That's an awesome splitter! Perhaps this is an opportunity to ask a question that's been 'buggin' me for awhile: You guys seem to say that the reservoir should match the pump size, which I thought was 'way-overkill'. As you may know from my seal repair thread in Hydro, I've got a 5hp, 11gpm, 2-stage pump, pushing a 4x24" ram. My resevoir is a piece of 6" steel gas line 24-30" long with plates welded on both ends. During my last servicing, I replaced the fluid, strainer, filter etc. If my tank is 24" long, it only holds about a gallon of fluid!! (3"radius,Squared=9, times 24", equals 231 cu in= 1 US gallon) I've run this thing for probably 20yrs! Granted there's more total oil in the system, with the ram, filter, and strainer, but why the insistance on such a large hydro resevoir, when I'm working with so little? (Now is where you say: "Yeah, and you just had to replace a leaking seal, Idiot") Just wondering! ~Scotty

 

[brandoro]

Gee, And I thought I was the only one that kept welding things together 'til I couldn't move it! I've found my engine 'cherry-picker' has gotten me out of some jams! That's an awesome splitter! Perhaps this is an opportunity to ask a question that's been 'buggin' me for awhile: You guys seem to say that the reservoir should match the pump size, which I thought was 'way-overkill'. As you may know from my seal repair thread in Hydro, I've got a 5hp, 11gpm, 2-stage pump, pushing a 4x24" ram. My resevoir is a piece of 6" steel gas line 24-30" long with plates welded on both ends. During my last servicing, I replaced the fluid, strainer, filter etc. If my tank is 24" long, it only holds about a gallon of fluid!! (3"radius,Squared=9, times 24", equals 231 cu in= 1 US gallon) I've run this thing for probably 20yrs! Granted there's more total oil in the system, with the ram, filter, and strainer, but why the insistance on such a large hydro resevoir, when I'm working with so little? (Now is where you say: "Yeah, and you just had to replace a leaking seal, Idiot") Just wondering! ~Scotty

Try:
a = pi * r2
The area of a circle is its radius squared times pi.

definitions a = area of the circle
r = radius of the circle
pi = Π, approximately 3.1415927

You still only have about three gallons but, three times what you thought you had.

 

[Scotty370]

Brandoro- Ya know, I knew I was doing something wrong! [Slaps head!] Guess my point is, seems like a 25 gallon reservoir, is an awful lot of oil/money for the subject build! Thanks for the correction! ~Scotty

(Funny, I never seem to forget pi, but I guess that's just at dinner! )

 

[Iplayfarmer]

... but why the insistance on such a large hydro resevoir, when I'm working with so little?...

I'm just regurgitating what I've heard others say, but I think it's because the oil needs time to cool down before it goes back through the system. That's why you size it to the pump. If you're pumping 11 gpm, you need 11 gallons so the fluid has a minute to cool before it goes back through the system again.

I've heard that oil coolers will let you get away with a smaller reservior. It probably also makes a difference how hard you work the system.