Log splitter cylinder

[scarlo101]

I am going to be building my own log splitter. Has anybody ever bought this cylinder or seen it on a logsplitter.
-> Burden Sales Surplus Center Item Detail <-
It is an excellent price but not sure of the quality as well as the base plate mechanical setup. It is an unusual port configuration because both ports are on the end of the base plate.

 

[bobodu]

Stay away from that one....too puny.
4 X 24 with a 2" ram is a much better match.

 

[tnhomestead]

I am going to be using the same size cylinder(different brand tho) and have been told it will have about 8 tons of splitting force, which I hope will be enough for me -- i wonder how much force my splitting maul has - bet its no where near 8 tons and I am a big guy!

 

[eljefe]

I know someone who used this same cylinder in a splitter he built last year. His primary goal was to build a splitter as cheaply as possible, and not necessarily build one with components that would be of the highest quality or highest splitting force. This cylinder is definitely inexpensive, however the price does increase significantly with shipping. This cylinder I believe does put out around 8 tons of force at ~2250psi.

I believe a major concern is the size and type of the wood you will be splitting. His splitter does a good job with moderately sized rounds (up to ~12-14") of straight grain wood (i.e. oak) but struggles to split even 12" pieces of green beech down the center. Typically, smaller pieces must be shaved off the sides first (think 1" shingles) before attempting center splits. Forked pieces also present a challenge.

This spring I built a splitter with a 4"x24" cylinder that runs at 3000psi, and the difference between the two units is night and day. I have been splitting 24"-30" rounds down center with no problem regarless of wood type. Of course, the 4" cylinder was $200 more than the cylinder you are asking about. For the increased performance (and perhaps longevity), I don't regret my choice of a larger cylinder.

Another area of concern would be quality and longevity of the cylinder you are asking about. If something failed on this surplus 3" cylinder, repairs may not be possible and most likely not worth the price regardless.

Overall, I would go route of a larger (and perhaps higher quality) cylinder. Just an opinion.

 

[scarlo101]

Thank you all for the advise. I am also trying to construct a splitter as cheap as possible. In addition the reason I am using a 3" bore is beacause my pump only puts out 1300psi @ 7gpm. As far as the cylinder life, I can upgrade to a better one at a later time.

 

[turnkey4099]

Thank you all for the advise. I am also trying to construct a splitter as cheap as possible. In addition the reason I am using a 3" bore is beacause my pump only puts out 1300psi @ 7gpm. As far as the cylinder life, I can upgrade to a better one at a later time.

According to the formula for force applied to a circle (pi x R squared), a 3" cylinder at 3000 psi will only produce 6,750 psi force, at 1300 it gets a lot worse: 2925 psi.

Of note is that applying the formula to commercial splitters, none of them come up with the ratings that are advertised, i.e, a 4" cylinder at a common setting of 2,750 bypass will only do: 1100 psi.

I keep staring at those figures wondering where my math is wrong.

Harry K

 

[smfcpacfp]

I agree with Bobodu, that thing is way too puny for splitting wood, unless you are splitting tiny stuff.

I bought mine (below) used for $50 (30 years ago at a construction equipment salvage yard) and have never had a problem. The piston is 4" in diameter and the cylinder 8". Check out salvage yards first, before buying that little thing you are considering.

 

[bobodu]

With a low pressure pump,you wanna go BIGGER on the cylinder to make up for the difference. Like putting a flat volleyball under car car and blowing it up...won't lift the car. But put a truck tire under there and inflate it...!!!

 

[scarlo101]

Turnkey, here is a website to easily calculate your forces and speeds. Burden Sales Surplus Center - Tech Help
I realize that this cylinder may be puny and somewhat weak, and I may need to shave the larger pieces, but a valve and cylinder for $100 beats the axe.

 

[bobodu]

I have split a lot of wood and have found that using a too small cylinder just means trading the axe for a maul. Nothing like a log stuck on the wedge.
I fear you will be sorely disappointed,especially using a low pressure pump.
My numbers show me you're only gonna get 9189 lbs outta that setup...4.5 tons.
Now...if you went with a 5 inch cylinder and a two inch rod...you would get 25525 lbs or 12.5 tons.

 

[J_J]

I agree with Bobodu, that thing is way too puny for splitting wood, unless you are splitting tiny stuff.

I bought mine (below) used for $50 (30 years ago at a construction equipment salvage yard) and have never had a problem. The piston is 4" in diameter and the cylinder 8". Check out salvage yards first, before buying that little thing you are considering.

Using 2500 psi, you have 62 ton of splitting force. No need to worry about splitting. but I bet it is slow. What size reservoir so you have.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I keep staring at those figures wondering where my math is wrong.

Harry K

You're forgetting to multiply by pi (3.14159)

On a 3" cylinder r = 1.5

1.5 X 1.5 = 2.25 (r squared)
2.25 X 3.14159 (pi) = 7.068 square inches.

at 3000 psi the force is more like 21,204 pounds of force.
at 1300 psi the force is 9,188 pounds... 4.5 tons.

I'm guessing that all of your calculations with commercial splitter have come up about a third of what the manufacturer claims.

 

[scarlo101]

Farmer you are correct, I also calculated it to be about 9000lbs force. Not sure if that will be enough. I will construct it to allow me to change to a larger cylinder if required in the future. I am using this cylinder for now because of the price and also it moves faster.
The pump I am using is the one on my ironworker. It is 1300psi @ 7gpm and has a built in resevoir. I plan on teeing from there and running 2 hoses outside to the splitter. I will not need any type of engine running to power my splitter.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Farmer you are correct, I also calculated it to be about 9000lbs force. Not sure if that will be enough. I will construct it to allow me to change to a larger cylinder if required in the future. I am using this cylinder for now because of the price and also it moves faster.
The pump I am using is the one on my ironworker. It is 1300psi @ 7gpm and has a built in resevoir. I plan on teeing from there and running 2 hoses outside to the splitter. I will not need any type of engine running to power my splitter.

I'm sure I'm just repeating what most already know, but there's a threeway balance between force, speed, and horsepower. Unless you increase horsepower, more speed means less force. Of course the inverse is also true... more force means less speed. The only way around it is to increase available horsepower.

 

[smfcpacfp]

Using 2500 psi, you have 62 ton of splitting force. No need to worry about splitting. but I bet it is slow. What size reservoir so you have.

It is quite slow, but that hasn't been too much of a problem, because we take our time and don't work to exhaustion, or to the point of back pain. The slow pace suits us. The resevoir holds about 4 gallons and the cylinders holds quite a bit also.

 

[turnkey4099]

You're forgetting to multiply by pi (3.14159)

On a 3" cylinder r = 1.5

1.5 X 1.5 = 2.25 (r squared)
2.25 X 3.14159 (pi) = 7.068 square inches.

at 3000 psi the force is more like 21,204 pounds of force.
at 1300 psi the force is 9,188 pounds... 4.5 tons.

I'm guessing that all of your calculations with commercial splitter have come up about a third of what the manufacturer claims.

Yeah, I figured out the pi error. Even multipliign by it does not make the manufacturer's claims come even close.

Thus a 4" cylinder is claimed to give 20 (some claim 22) tons.

2x2 = 4 x 3.14 = 12.56 x 3000 = 37680 or just over 18 ton and that is running the bypass at 3,000 psi - not recommended.

Harry K

Harry K

 

[J_J]

On a 4 in cyl, each 500 psi = 3.14 ton
------------------ 1000 = 6.28
------------------ 1500 = 9.45
------------------ 2000 = 12.56
------------------ 2500 = 15.7
------------------ 3000 = 18.8 ton

------------------ 4000 = 25.13 ton

------------------ 4775 psi = 30.0 ton