log splitter conversion

[nyone]

I built a 15hp splitter a few years ago. The engine was from a lawnmower so it has electric start. I used a 22gpm dual stage pump and 5in cylinder. I get about 12sec cycle times. It has a 4way welded to it. It will cut a oak log in half. I have about $900 into it. $900 of big box store splitter dosnt get you much.

Personaly i like horizontal splitters better. My back cant be bent over like that for long.

 

[TnAndy]

TnAndy,

You achieved 16 gpm in the low pressure cycle, perhaps 500 psi?. When the actual work begins, what is the gpm capacity? @ what pressure?

I haven't a clue what the gpm and pressure are when it drops into "slow" gear. 90% of the time splitting, it doesn't, so it really doesn't matter to me. It simply works. I split 6-12 cords/year.

 

[davedj1]

Thanks to all who responded. I have some decisions to make. P.T.O. pump vs. motor and pump. HP & GPM, power & speed.
New parts vs. used parts. money money money. Part of this decision hinges on the fact that this is a hobby project. I'm retired (70 years old) with plenty of free time. Lots of time not lots of money.

To be honest, it's hard to beat the value of a (cheapish, usually around a grand) farm store splitter.
I am of the thought that it makes no sense to me to tie up a 25 odd thousand dollar piece of equipment when a $99 Harbor Freight motor will do the job.

 

[nyone]

To be honest, it's hard to beat the value of a (cheapish, usually around a grand) farm store splitter.
I am of the thought that it makes no sense to me to tie up a 25 odd thousand dollar piece of equipment when a $99 Harbor Freight motor will do the job.

This is so true! 1hr on a $25k machine costs more than 1hr on a small engine. This goes for log splitters and PTO generators too.

I guess it does depend on the price you get the machine for. Around here tou can find $500 riding lawn mowers all the time. I have never seen anything with a PTO that cheap.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

This is so true! 1hr on a $25k machine costs more than 1hr on a small engine. This goes for log splitters and PTO generators too.

I guess it does depend on the price you get the machine for. Around here tou can find $500 riding lawn mowers all the time. I have never seen anything with a PTO that cheap.

25K machine? Why does it have to be a 25K machine?

There's are LOT'S of decent used tractors around that can be bought for FAR less than 25K...and they will do a lot more than run a splitter or a generator!

I run my splitter with a $3,500 dollar tractor and it's made me FAR more back, than the 3.5K it cost me, all without any repairs... Cost per hr. has been LESS than it would have cost me with some throwaway screaming gas engine.

SR

 

[John_Mc]

Thanks to all who responded. I have some decisions to make. P.T.O. pump vs. motor and pump. HP & GPM, power & speed.
New parts vs. used parts. money money money. Part of this decision hinges on the fact that this is a hobby project. I'm retired (70 years old) with plenty of free time. Lots of time not lots of money.

A new 200cc engine (approx 6Hp) runs around $200-$300 (Briggs or Honda). One closer to 8 HP (Briggs 250cc or Honda GX270) generally run $300-$500.

Northern Tool sells a couple of Chinese imports under the (Ironton and Powerhorse brands) in the 6HP range for about $140 (one of them is on sale now for $96, if you are an Advantage member). Harbor Freight 6HP Predator Chinese engines go for $120. HF also has an 8HP Predator engine for $230. I'm not sure how often these go on sale, but might be worth keeping an eye on. Surprisingly, I've heard people are generally having decent results with the Predator engines (they just give it a good going over before starting it checking for loose bolts and the like). When they don't work out, they are either dead out of the box or within a few hours of running time - so the 90 day HF warranty gets you a relatively hassle-free replacement. (Northern Tool has a 2 year warranty)

If you keep your eyes open, you may find an engine for next-to-nothing, if someone has an old gas powered something-or-other they are getting rid of. I much prefer the horizontal shaft engines.

 

[nyone]

For this purpose a horizontal shaft motor isnt needed. Many many riding lawn mowers have engines up to 24hp now and they can be had real cheap. 24hp makes one **** of a log splitter but you can find smaller engines even cheaper.

 

[4570Man]

25K machine? Why does it have to be a 25K machine?

There's are LOT'S of decent used tractors around that can be bought for FAR less than 25K...and they will do a lot more than run a splitter or a generator!

I run my splitter with a $3,500 dollar tractor and it's made me FAR more back, than the 3.5K it cost me, all without any repairs... Cost per hr. has been LESS than it would have cost me with some throwaway screaming gas engine.

SR

The OP doesn’t have a $3500 tractor. Buying a $3500 tractor to run a wood splitter doesn’t make much sense. Honda GX motors are pretty much fail proof. I don’t know how you can beat the operating cost of a $6 oil change whenever you feel like it. I’m glad you like your $3500 tractor, but I have stuff I want worse and I’m not wealthy.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

As usual YOU missed the point...

SR

 

[4570Man]

As usual YOU missed the point...

SR

How did I miss the point? Most people don’t have a good running $3500 tractor of adequate HP laying around.

 

[nyone]

I guess to some $3500 is cheaper than $500?

 

[Illcome]

A lot of good points to consider. So far this is where I'm at.
Wallenstein WX310 used $275.00
Honda GC190 6HP used $75.00
I'm thinking the valve on the WX310 is okay.
For the pump I'm looking at a Dynamic #9-7503-13 or MTE 9-7972-13 both from Surplus Center catalog.
I used to go fast with deeper pockets but now I'm just a steady eddy with shallower pockets.
Thanks to everyone for your feed back.

 

[CADplans]

A lot of good points to consider. So far this is where I'm at.
Wallenstein WX310 used $275.00
Honda GC190 6HP used $75.00
I'm thinking the valve on the WX310 is okay.
For the pump I'm looking at a Dynamic #9-7503-13 or MTE 9-7972-13 both from Surplus Center catalog.
I used to go fast with deeper pockets but now I'm just a steady eddy with shallower pockets.
Thanks to everyone for your feed back.

I had a good friend neighbor that had a tractor hydraulic powered 3 point splitter.

One day, as a Christmas present, I went to his house, "stole" the splitter,, and converted it to a tow-able splitter with its own engine.

The tractor delivered about 3GPM, I used a 13GPM 2 stage pump.

Well, after I returned it, to his garage,,, with a bow on it, the neighbor was super happy.
THEN,, three days later, my neighbor called,,, his church group was all UPSET!!

It seems that the group of old guys would get together, and, using the tractor powered splitter,
spend all day splitting two pickups full of wood for the old widows in the church,

When he showed up the the converted splitter, the old guys split 4 pickups full of wood,, in 3 hours.
It turns out, the guys used to enjoy standing around chatting while the slow tractor splitter cycled.

The tow-able splitter worked the old guys almost to death,,, and,,, they did not get to chat,,,, AT ALL!! :laughing:

I showed him how to slow down the engine,,, that helped a little,,
You never know the real intent of some people,,,:confused2:



He did really like it,, and still uses it to this day,,,:thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

I did a Harbor Freight engine swap on our 30 year old log splitter about a year and a half ago. It's the 6.5HP engine. It's on sale at Harbor Freight for $99 this month. It was a direct bolt-in replacement for a 5HP Briggs. Here's a link to the thread I did back then on it. Several folks here on TBN have done Harbor Freight engine swaps on various pieces of equipment.

$99.... can't beat it. :thumbsup:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...another-predator-engine-swap.html#post4675523

 

[drs1023]

I've built 3 log splitters over the last 15 years, all using 24"x4"x2" cylinders from TSC. I sold the first 2 to guys who couldn't build their own or couldn't afford new ones. Old boat trailer axles allows me to run real tires rather than the little ones on factory built ones - I don't worry about highway speeds that way. In order to balance speeds and power, I use Haldex 2 stage pumps pulled by 5.5 hp Honda engines. I've split 30" Hickory with them. I convert old BBQ grill tanks to hold a little under 5 gallons of fluid. I split 6 to 7 F350 loads per year.

 

[majorwager]

drs 1023,

A Question: I have not used a two speed pump. But of those I've seen, the high speed pressure is about 600 psi. Will that psi split hardwood?
I thought the high speed setting was to assist in retracting the ram? The low speed, perhaps 1500 psi for actual splitting work?
What is your experience?

 

[drs1023]

At least 80% of all the hardwoods I split are at the higher speed/lower pressure. The pressure may build and slow the cycle in the middle of a log then speed back up when it pushes past the knot or twist. I've not used a single speed pump except on my old PTO mounted one many years ago.

 

[John_Mc]

drs 1023,

A Question: I have not used a two speed pump. But of those I've seen, the high speed pressure is about 600 psi. Will that psi split hardwood?
I thought the high speed setting was to assist in retracting the ram? The low speed, perhaps 1500 psi for actual splitting work?
What is your experience?

1500 PSI seems rather low.

 

[drs1023]

I'm no expert at fluid dynamics, but the valve I use has a preset pressure of 2250, adjustable to 2500+.

 

[4570Man]

I think most 2 stage pumps are closer to 2500 psi on the high pressure side. My splitter probably hits the low pressure 1-20 pieces even with the 4 way. It’s not a big deal.