Steel for Log splitter

[Wayne_H]

I'm starting to scrounge parts for my next project, a log splitter. I found this peice of steel I can have for free, do you all think it will be heavy enough for a 25 or so ton unit? I may stop by home cheapo and look at the steel they use, but wonder if 8"x6.5" would work. It is 3/8" think. Here are a few shots.

Thanks!

Wayne

 

[6sunset6]

I am doing the same thing . Northern hyd has a cylinder kit 5 inch cylinder load 44000 # or so . They say use 6 WF 25# beam thats means 25# per foot. The beam measures 6.08 wide 6.3 high the flange is .456 thick and the web is.320 thick all numbers are inches . If that would work I think yours would work.
I just looked at your pictures. I think the flanges may want to be a little thicker. but I bet it would work anyway.

 

[Willl]

do you all think it will be heavy enough for a 25 or so ton unit?

You bet, drag that sucker home.

 

[Scotty370]

**** Yeah!!! Grab it!~Scotty (Edit: I meant to say 'heck'!)
"Free", my favorite four letter word! ~S

 

[towmotor]

It's a good one!
Just weld some chocks (between the flanges) at the stress points and it'll last forever (or close enough to forever).

 

[rdbrumfield]

that 25lb pr ft will do. Don't get too carried away with multiple knives though. I have a T type knife on mine and I shoved the whole thing along with the top half of the I beam right off. I rebuilt it and fishplated the web, haven't had a problem since. I did lower the crossknife a bit. Now the knife is about 6inches tall, that took a lot of leverage away from the knife. I have sheared 6inch knots of fir and spruce with it so it should take on anything.

 

[John D]

Looks like some of us are playing in the same sand box. I have the I beam and some of the other parts but Im at the part of the slide that holds the ram down on the I beam. Ill put up pictures in the morning and maybe we can all walk through this. jd

 

[MichiganIron]

From the measurements in your post, that is a W8x24. A W8x24 has almost 60% more bending capacity (section modulus) than a W6x25. The flanges are slightly thinner than the W6x25, so take that into consideration for your splitter sled. Other than that, it's a good find.

Good luck.

 

[1m21]

I found this peice of steel I can have for free, do you all think it will be heavy enough for a 25 or so ton unit?

I hope so. It looks like what I used.

 

[Wayne_H]

1M21 and everyone: Thank you for the responses! And Great pictures. I was thinking that maybe the web part (the top and bottom flat part) was a bit thin, maybe 3/8" or so, but then there should not be too much force on the "pusher" on the end of the cylinder, so I hope it will be ok.

I have looked at and studied the timberwolf machines, and they are awesome. I see on all of them they reinforce the steel where the wedge is and where the cylinder sits, so I will do the same. I will also try to raise it up a bit off the ground. My axle now sits maybe 10" off the gound, and I'd prefer this was not a back breaker when using, and I was not spending all day on my hands and knees when I split. I plan on taking part of that steel, and welding that the the axle for a base, and then put the rest on top of that so it sits maybe 24 inches off the ground.

I'm going to have a log lift, it does not look too hard and only requires another cylinder and a bit more steel.

On the wedges you all have, can I ask how you make them? I've seen some high dollar ones that are 1" thick, but can I make my own out of 3/8" stock, or will they fall apart?

Regarding the pump etc, I am looking at a 4" cylinder, 9-11 HP honda, and a 22 or 28 GPM pump. I don't want this to take all day to cycle, and I get the impression many "real" splitters use 4" 3,000 psi cylinders and they work great. (with a 2" dia rod).

thanks again everyone.

Wayne