Powerhouse 3pt splitter

[jimgerken]

The last of these three pics shows the splitter lowered to the floor, and the control valve mounted position. With the valve mounted here, and the splitter lowered, I can still reach the lever without bending over at all. And, when the splitter is raised to 29 inches, the valve is still at a convenient height.

 

[MDM]

How many gpm flow does your tractor have and what is the cycle time? How does she work?

 

[jimgerken]

How many gpm flow does your tractor have and what is the cycle time? How does she work?

I will be painting tonight, assembling and plumbing tomorrow, and probably splitting on Friday. My tractor has 8.5 gpm. I calculate 9 seconds on a forward stroke, and 7 return, but will measure actual and various rpm settings. Should have a real operating report next Monday.

 

[jimgerken]

Had good luck last night. Bought wrong color spray paint but at least it dried really fast, so actually got as far as final assembly. Quickly learned I should have purchased a couple of 45 degree fittings for the hydraulics plumbing. Back to the store today for those. Should finish tonight and be splitting wood tommorrow afternoon.

Here are a couple more pics after paint.

 

[jinman]

Hey Jim, good job! The Chinese are already busily copying your design and it will be offered next year as the improved model. . . for $100 more of course. It will carry a "Made in Minnesota" label.

 

[JB4310]

Nice work, even though I'm not into splitters that much, I do own a tow behind ~20 ton gas powered, only use it a couple days a year. Came with the house I bought.

When looking at yours a quick thought came to mind, I know you would use it most of the time in that position but wouldn't it be cool to be able to flip it over and operate it from the seat like I see all these boom mounted splitters now. wouldn't be as efficient as the boom mounted ones with out the reach and maneuverability of a boom, but if you had some monster rounds you could kinda line them up and back up to each lower the splitter with the 3 pt and operate the ram from the remote lever.

Just a thought, not that brilliant I know as you would have to maneuver the tractor around to much, but in some cases might be easier than moving the log.


.

 

[jimgerken]

Nice work, even though I'm not into splitters that much, I do own a tow behind ~20 ton gas powered, only use it a couple days a year. Came with the house I bought.

When looking at yours a quick thought came to mind, I know you would use it most of the time in that position but wouldn't it be cool to be able to flip it over and operate it from the seat like I see all these boom mounted splitters now. wouldn't be as efficient as the boom mounted ones with out the reach and maneuverability of a boom, but if you had some monster rounds you could kinda line them up and back up to each lower the splitter with the 3 pt and operate the ram from the remote lever.

Just a thought, not that brilliant I know as you would have to maneuver the tractor around to much, but in some cases might be easier than moving the log.


.

I like it! Wish we'd had this talk a week ago.

 

[dcyrilc]

I like it! Wish we'd had this talk a week ago.

Never too late to start over. We would enjoy seeing the pix for the new and improved version. LOL

 

[spo307]

nice job, let me know how she splits

 

[jimgerken]

Report: The Powerhorse 4x24 splits very well. The speed is not outstanding, as predicted by others, with my tractor hydraulics (8.5 gpm). But the power is unstoppable so far. What I had on hand to test it was 12-14 inch Elm, which most of you know is a stringy mess to split. I assumed that the P.horse would split better in "extend" than in "retract" due to the rod area. It goes noticably faster in retract, but still splits the elm without slowing. I have not tried wet oak yet. The speed with tractor at pto speed is about 13 seconds extend, 11 retract. I timed some other tractor rpm settings too, but left the numbers in the shop. As re-built, it quick hitches onto the Speeco just great, and hydraulic hoses route nicely to power beyond. And the final working height is 8 inches at the lowest (the splitter beam is about 7 high, and I added some feet below that to keep the fittings from hitting the ground), and 28.5 inches at the highest the 3-point goes. I have a hydraulic top link too, so tilit it way up for clearance when travelling off road. The splitter's hyd control lever mounted position works fine for both on the ground and fully up positions.
While using it to split about 16 pcs of elm, I quickly realized the working table provided is just a bit too small. If you split something large, and half of it is laying there on the table opposite from the control side, then you start to split the other half, one qaurter will hit the half laying there waiting, and knock it off the table. If there was another helper working over there, he could help keep this from happening, but since I will work alone most all the time I decided to add some area to the one table.
Also, after using it on the elm wood, I decided the wedge might as well be sharp instead of the provided 1/16 inch blunt edges, so I sharpened nice edges using a ******* file. It cut kinda hard, certainly harder than mild steel. Hopefully it holds an edge better because it is hard. Did not try it again with sharp edges. Did also grease the piston as instructed (red grease in pictures).
No sign of any weakness, twisting or bending of anything yet. Will try to find some oak to really test it this week sometime.
New (final) pics. Showing the feet added, the improved larger table on one side, and final paint.

 

[JD4320]

Hi Jim,

Any chance you can give us an update on the performance of this unit? I am thinking about getting one for use on my JD4320 (12 GPM hydro) and was wondering how you liked it after more use. Does wood debris from the splitting get into the cylinder area in the beam and cause any problems? Any problems splitting with the relatively narrow wedge (any wood not split and get stuck on wedge)? How are the work tables holding up (I am thinking these will need reinforcement)?

Thanks,
Nate

 

[jimgerken]

Better late than never maybe. I split a half a cord of wood Sunday morning. Overall, am very happy with the Powerhorse. You asked if the wedge is big enough. Actually I am wondering that same thing. I did get stuck a couple times, and I had to muscle the log around to twist it off the wedge. I was left wondering of I needed to add something to make it taller, with a positive hook maybe. Another thing, the control handle seems too close to the action. A couple times I stopped the process as the log was almost touching the hydraulic valve. I am planning on moving it up a couple inches, forward a couple inches and outward from center a couple inches from my present modifiied location. You asked about the work tables. They are holding up fine, and are wonderful to have on there. Just have to make note not to get a branch stuck down thru the grate, or it would tear off the work table. The debris does build up, but doesnt get stuck in the open frame of the splitter. The ability to raise to comfortable working height, and lower to roll on huge logs, was great!

 

[jimgerken]

I found some more pics. First one shows new larger work table, control valve now moved to right side and facing forward toward tractor. Second pic shows another view of same thing, and its setting on its new skateboard for shed storage. Third pic shows closeup of valve mounting and a bit of the plumbing.

I think this is the ultimate configuration now. It does everything I set out to accomplish:
- variable work heights from ground to 30 inches high
- convenient control position now on rt side of tractor near 3-pt control lever
- powerfull enough for whatever
- fast enough even with tractor hydraulics, helped greatly by the bi-directional action
- work tables reduce bending over

 

[GBeck]

jimgerken...great job (and idea) moving the control valve to the right side
I have this unit and have bent the metal 'blocker' to the control valve

 

[simonds]

I just got a SpeeCo splitter at Tractor Supply. It is 22 ton, horizonital & vertical. $699.99. Had to buy hoses and fittings to hook it up to my JD. 4200. Did a quick try out with it and really liked it. I ran the tractor at 1500 rpms, and it had no problem splitting cherry, ash, elm, and locust that I had cut up. I am going to build a craddle to catch the half on the back side, so I won't have to let it fall on the ground, then pick it up again. I will get time time Sunday to use it more.