Woodsplitter build #2

[GE222]

I have enjoyed all of the dialog and pictures on your splitter. Every thing looks great so far, with one exception.

I am wondering about the cylinder mounting block, specifically the seemingly small bolts attacing it to the frame. They look to be around 1/2" to 5/8".

 

[6sunset6]

I have enjoyed all of the dialog and pictures on your splitter. Every thing looks great so far, with one exception.

I am wondering about the cylinder mounting block, specifically the seemingly small bolts attacing it to the frame. They look to be around 1/2" to 5/8".

I assume you mean the bolts holding the anchor for the big splitter cylinder.
There are 8 1/2 bolts , nuts and washers all grade nine. 180,000 psi minimum tension. The stress area of the bolt is .141 in sq. That's 25000 #.
Times 8 200,000# use a saftey factor of 4 50,000# load capacity. 25t
The 4.5 " cylinder at 2000 psi is about 15t All should work. I think

If you mean the mounts for the log lifter also 1/2 but a tremendous amount of friction in that joint, I did not even bother with calculations.

 

[6sunset6]

February 7, 2012 3pm Construction complete. Mostly. Maybe in the spring I will paint the outfeed table and make a bracket to take strain off the filter.
And fix what ever lets go.
Another day or two take it outside and run it. Probably even split something. I certainly have enough big rounds around.
I started this on 11/16. That's the day I picked up the beam. 12 weeks and 1 day. I probably worked on it 4 days a week 4 hrs a day. Lets see 4 x 12 x 4
192 hrs plus today. 195 hours. Or more. What else would I do in the winter.
Couple more posts and maybe a movie.

Forgot one thing Have to add a pocket for my Hookaroon.

 

[6sunset6]

I split wood today. Good news and bad news.
Good news first. Motor works fine luke warm at most. Log lifter works fine after I tightened 2 hose fittings I forgot about. You can imagine the bummer around that little mistake. Ram works fine. IT SPLITS
Bad news. Some easy to fix. Like loose fittings. Other than that no leaks.
First picture The first nut on the sled hit the weldment that holds the log retainer. By a 1/16. Ripped them both off. The fix is easy . Trim some off and reweld.
Rest of the pictures are self explaining. The pile on the table is from 2 22" rounds. I thought 4 x 4 would be too small but they look good. Those rounds are from an oak that came down 2 years ago. Cut it off the stump a year ago, hauled it out and cut it up last fall. They are still full of water.
Now the really bad news. The first pass splits perfect. Second pass, too much friction in the boxes and the cylinder pressure goes over 2000psi relief. Ram stalls. It took me a little while bit I finally figured out a pusher block, 2 x 4, and push it through each box section to clear the boxes. Then pull the round back . I am going to raise the pressure and see what happens. I already noticed that the detent pressure relief will stop the ram before the main relief is reached. IF you hold the handle down you can bypass the detent relief. But that defeats the purpose. Anyway I can split rounds into 4 inch square firewood with out lifting the rounds in. IT 's not perfect but it splits faster than I used to be able to do . And not lifting those rounds is a big deal. I have a movie of the lifter lets see if I can get it here.
Not great but I had the camera in my left hand and a valve handle in my right hand.MVI_0201.MOV - YouTube

 

[6sunset6]

I forgot to add. Those rounds came out af an oak that came down 2 years ago.
I cut it off the stump last spring. Hauled it out last fall and cut it into rounds 2 months ago. It is still full of water. The box squeezes it out. I guess it wants to get cut into rounds sooner.

 

[jimmysisson]

Geez, I thought you had enough splay in the boxes to keep the friction down. Do you think it's from pieces opening up once they're in the boxes? Could you cut off the top and reweld with a bit more uptilt on the outfeed side, to be sure it's not the top that's too tight? I hate to see this be the problem you have.
Jim

 

[6sunset6]

I am not sure yet, but I think you are right , it is the height. I need to get someone to run it while I look from the end. I noticed that when I push then thru with a 2 x4 It only takes about 6" and they are free. I also noticed at 2000 psi , where the relief is now, the beam flexes a little bit around the box end, I think. If increasing the pressure works then I think I need to add a stiffener to the bottom of the beam. Probably a tapered plate on edge.

 

[Scooby074]

FYI, the Timberwolf TW7 (box wedge) runs a 5" cylinder with a split force of 28 Tons. It seems to take a lot of force to use a box wedge, particularly on the second split of a round, as evidenced by the video below.

Log Splitters | Firewood Processors | Conveyors | Timberwolf Wood Processing Equipment

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_izTNJQUaok]2/3 Splitting White Oak Firewood With Timberwolf TW7 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[6sunset6]

Hmm for 28 tons on a 5" cylinder 2800 psi.
I am going to try 2450 . If I want more I have to raise the PV on the pump unit.
The cylinder is rated 3000 so I guess I could go there. The motor is pretty cool. Looks like an intermittent high load won'r hurt it. I hope.
AT 3000 psi the 4.5 cylinder is just shy of 24t. Well I see where it all goes.
IF I have to use a push block that ok .

 

[6sunset6]

Further thought. I think the jam in the box is caused by the thickness of the vertical members. they are .75 thick and even though they are angled out the wood has to compress by .75 as it passes through the opening. Then it expands sideways. A higher box won't help this. More force or thinner vertical members.
More force first. If I need thinner vertical members It might be easier to just build a new box. I would have to use a torch to cut out all the welds. I am not even sure I could reach the middle with a right angle head on a cutting torch.
Anybody ever seen a cutting torch with a straight head? Well That's for later.
Pressure increase for today.