Overkill log splitter

IC Smoke · Apr 7, 2013

Long story short I dont heat my home with wood but I do heat the 30x36 garage. I have split wood prior with a splitting maul and decided I would start collecting parts here and there to build one. I started with a trailer axle that was laying around, then I found a I-beam after taking in some metal to the scrap yard. I think it was around $20 I had to pay (scrap price/ pound). Grabbed a pair of wheels/tires from the local trailer RV surplus store along with the lights and wiring. I cut down a old 100lb propane tank for the hyd tank. The hydraulic cylinder came off a tiling knife that a local excavator was parting out/scrapping. The 11hp Honda came off a old pressure washer that the pump went out on (rebuilt once already) so it was cheaper to buy a whole new machine.
The rest of the parts I had to order from Surplus Center and Northern tool. 16gpm hyd pump (2 stage), trailer hitch, pump/motor adapter plate. hyd hoses, one way valve, splitting wedge, trailer jack, and misc. fittings and such.

My whole idea behind building on with the trailer axle is my father in law burns wood as well but they live a hour away so I wanted one that would go 70mph down a Michigan Highway and those TSC small wheel ones woudlnt last one trip! I didnt intend it to be this big but it just happened lol. I still have to buy a sheet of diamond plate for the inside of the wheel wells, and around the front to keep the dirt off the motor/pump and tank.

Only downside is once it was together and I fired it up I quickly found out that the Hydraulic cylinder had a bad front seal but I paid $50 for it with no guarantee so I didnt sweat it too bad.

It only took a year to find the parts but its 98% done in the last photo. Yes the trailer jack is different... the first one wasn't quite up to the job! lol

I will post a photo of it finished with the diamond plate later on. Low priority at the moment.

Ian

plumbstraight · Apr 7, 2013

nice build, that should do it

Baby Grand · Apr 8, 2013

Nice build. You should be able to split anything with that monster.
I like that the engine is well removed from where you stand when it's running.
Now with the questions:
What's the cylinder stroke? How's the cycle time?

Locoweed · Apr 8, 2013

My only critique is that it is too low. Kills my back after using a low splitter for a bit. Other than that, very nice work!

murphy1244 · Apr 8, 2013

Nice job. Doesn't seem that low.

deerseeker001 · Apr 8, 2013

good job

arrow · Apr 8, 2013

Its actually quite striking in its simple but sleek looking build. All hydraulic splitters look like they've been put together with after thoughts to me. This one actually looks cohesive. Can it be you've initiated a new design trend? Heck, they did it with cars and tractors. Why not splitters.

yomax4 · Apr 8, 2013

Nice Splitter. Looks great. Now you can add a log lift so you don't have to lift the logs. I just built one for mine and I can't believe I waited so long. I split 15-20 cords per year. I too like your rear engine design. I breath a lot of exhaust with mine. Now I'm going to turn it so it blows out the back.

davedj1 · Apr 8, 2013

Looks good man! Your gonna have to get a video of it working now.

IC Smoke · Apr 9, 2013

Thanks gang! It also needs a couple racks so the split pieces dont drop to the ground and the decking over the axle needs to be welded to the I beam since I am getting a humm from the vibration of the motor. I used 1/2" conveyer belting to sit the motor on as well as under the plate with a large fender washer to keep the vibration down but it isnt enough I guess. I will shoot a video shortly and get it posted.