Splitfire type logsplitter
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kennyd
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Welcome to TBN Fred
Pretty much the standard sized cylinder for logsplitter's is a 4"x24".
Using the calculators HERE will help you figure out how much to expect from any cylinder as long as you know the specs of the power source (PSI and GPM) They (Surplus Center) are also a great supplier of a lot of the parts you will need.
Pretty much the standard sized cylinder for logsplitter's is a 4"x24".
Using the calculators HERE will help you figure out how much to expect from any cylinder as long as you know the specs of the power source (PSI and GPM) They (Surplus Center) are also a great supplier of a lot of the parts you will need.
Wayne County Hose
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The cylinder Kenny mentioned is a good standard cylinder. I would do the research and see what the production units use. Because you are also splitting while retracting, the power will be less. They may use a hair larger bore cylinder, but maybe not.
rus_geek
Gold Member
This is going to require a balancing act. You want to minimize the rod size to maximize power on the return stroke, but if you go too small on the rod, it will buckle/bend under load on the extend side. Interesting dilemma...
J_J
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Do you mean a cylinder with a rod on both ends, or a setup that the cylinders pushes a blade through a log on the extend stroke, and also pulls a blade through a log on the return stroke. I have seen one like that somewhere, maybe YOU Tube.
LD1
Epic Contributor
YouTube - Powerhorse Log Splitter Splits Logs In Both Directions
Here is a vid of a powerhorse from northern tool that splits in both directions. It appears to use a square tube inside of another square tube, which would minimize the bending force on the rod itself.
I know it sounds like a good idea and in theory should split wood faster, but imo these are actually slower. Most logsplitters return cycle is faster than I can get another peice of wood ready to be split. So there isn't really any benefit. Also, you cannot use a 4-way of 6-way wedge with one of those. Add that to the complication of building, I think you would be better building a regular splitter with a 4.5 or 5" cylinder and a 22 or 28gpm pump. It will cycle faster than you will want to work and you can still use the 4 and 6-way wedges.
Here is a vid of a powerhorse from northern tool that splits in both directions. It appears to use a square tube inside of another square tube, which would minimize the bending force on the rod itself.
I know it sounds like a good idea and in theory should split wood faster, but imo these are actually slower. Most logsplitters return cycle is faster than I can get another peice of wood ready to be split. So there isn't really any benefit. Also, you cannot use a 4-way of 6-way wedge with one of those. Add that to the complication of building, I think you would be better building a regular splitter with a 4.5 or 5" cylinder and a 22 or 28gpm pump. It will cycle faster than you will want to work and you can still use the 4 and 6-way wedges.
I think the conventional 4"x2" 24' should be ok,,it's about 21 tons on the pull and 13 in the retract,,plenty for maplw which is what I will be burning
The premise of this splitter is the cylinder is mounted inside a length of 6"x6" 1/4" wall H.S.S tube,,the ram is conected to 7" length of 5"x 5" HSS covered with 1/4" UHMW and guides down the cycle with very little play ,,the actual axel mount is the tank,,the log stop nearest the valve is fixed ( welded) and the one at the front is bolted down,,this splitter is unbelievably fast
Fred
The premise of this splitter is the cylinder is mounted inside a length of 6"x6" 1/4" wall H.S.S tube,,the ram is conected to 7" length of 5"x 5" HSS covered with 1/4" UHMW and guides down the cycle with very little play ,,the actual axel mount is the tank,,the log stop nearest the valve is fixed ( welded) and the one at the front is bolted down,,this splitter is unbelievably fast
Fred
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Wayne County Hose
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I just looked at one of these and I used one a couple years ago. A 4x24 cylinder is normally what they use. If you have a couple people, they are way faster than a conventional splitter. No waiting for the wedge to retract. By yourself, not any real benefit.
SPYDERLK
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As you know, a properly designed splitter puts no bending forces on the cyl rod. The cyl floats on 2 // pins. Unless the cyl hits against something as the rail bows there will be no bending forces other than those attributed to ram straightness issues or off center eyes. The problem I see with 2 way splitters is that the point where force is applied to the log is several inches above the place where the ram drives the wedge. This causes high back or front cocking force on the wedge assembly.
larry
woodchuckcanuck
Silver Member
There's some truth to that however I believe with the Splitfire design, that's not an issue. The distance between the ram and that lowest contact point of the wood is only a bit more than the thickness of the square tubing that the ram sits in. The one I have will split no problem, no matter the wood.
