PTO Log Splitter Project

[cp1969]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I will be using it with the ram mounted on top of upper flange, which I gather is the weaker direction. )</font>

No, that's the stronger direction.

 

[D80]

I use the mdsolids program to calculate metal beams and columns. You can download it from www.mdsolids.com. It is free to try for 30 days.

D80

 

[MadDog]

cp:; I had misunderstood your earlier post about the strongest direction. If the beam is strongest with flanges on top and bottom (rather than on the verticals) then I can't see that I can have much to worry about as far as flex goes.

BTW, got the two remaining gussets welded, the fact plates cut and one of them welded. Will weld the other tonight. then, on to cutting steel for the anchors and push plate asemblies.

 

[Jagmandave]

How about some pics, madDog?

 

[MadDog]

Yah. I've been lazy. I'll take the camera home tonight and post some pics tomorrow.

 

[MadDog]

Finally got off my @$_)$& and took some pics while I was welding up the second end plate this morning. Here's the link for a shot of the splitter beam, with gussets and first end plate welded:

splitter

As you can see, I first built the dolly that the splitter will live on when not connected to the tractor. This was because the beam alone weighs 348# and, when everything is installed on it and hydraulic tank filled, will weigh something over 800#. It is much easier to maneuver on the dolly.

Remaining photos follow.

 

[MadDog]

Here's #2, the wedge end of the splitter, on which I'm about to weld an end plate:

wedge end

Background shows part of Mad Dog's play kennel: barn's 100amp sub panel, compressor, Millermatic 251 and Hypertherm 1000.

 

[MadDog]

Here's #3, showing the endplate placed on beam end with magnetic clamps:

endplate clamped

 

[MadDog]

#4: Here's the endplate tack-welded:

tack welding

OK, I know. I am still learning to weld. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif But trust me; these welds are better than the first ones I did. By the time I get to the critical welds (cylinder and rod anchors), hopefully I will know what I'm doing. At least I have learned how to position the tip and wire so that I get a nice crackling sound and can leave a bead without making the surrounding area so heaped with spatter that it looks like the craters of the moon. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MadDog]

#5: Wedge plate welded up:

welded endplate

I turned the beam on its side to weld the bottom in vertical position, since I'm no good at all yet at welding from underneath.

Tonight, perhaps, I'll start cutting the pieces for the anchors and ram pushplate assembly. I wanted extra strength on the anchors, so I bought a cylinder with cross tubes rather than tie rod: Here's the link.

bailey's cylinder

1 1/2" rod goes through the anchors and cross tubes.

This way, I will have 1" plate anchors at each end of the cross tubes on both the cylinder and rod ends, welded to 3/4"plate (2x6) welded to the top flange (for cylinder) and slide plate (ram). I figure with 14" of fillet welds on each plate and about 12" on each anchor (2 anchors and plates to each cross tube) that should be an awful lot of holding power. It had better be. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif