My LOGSPLITTER Build

[mx842]

Nice build looking forward to seeing how it does. About the only thing I would change would be how you rigged the pusher block. Not that what you have isn't ok because that's how I did mine when I built it many years ago. I did find out over time especially when splitting really knotted wood or wood that is tough to split the push block would try an twist a little which would wear the sides and under side of the slide support. It also started to wear on the beam in places. I replaced the slide pieces, even made it a little longer and added a couple more bolts to hold it down but it wouldn't be long before it would wear out again.

The last time I fixed it I made a whole new push block but this time I put two upright plates behind the push block and made a pin long enough to through both with the cylinder connector between them and since then it has been like night and day. Mean knotted wood splits so good now and also it does not bend the edges of the 1" push plate inward any longer like it was doing before.

What you have going is fine and will last the average wood cutter a long time but if you split nasty wood expect to have problems with that part some time sooner or later. Great work and keep the pics coming.

 

[SPIKER]

MX I mentioned similar on top of page two.

This is what I suggested a triangle plate on each side bolted in. it resists up force and twisting forces much better. Of course one plate per side running under the beam and up even seen it where this plate was out in front of the pusher SOME to catch the log so it did not slide off sideways.



Mark

 

[mx842]

MX I mentioned similar on top of page two.

This is what I suggested a triangle plate on each side bolted in. it resists up force and twisting forces much better. Of course one plate per side running under the beam and up even seen it where this plate was out in front of the pusher SOME to catch the log so it did not slide off sideways.



Mark

Yep that's what I'm talking about. I started out using 1/2" plate for the push plate and after a very short time the edges would start to wrap around. I tried adding the extra pieces on the edges like you show in the pics and that's when I started having problems with the slides. I just did away with the center point and made a long pin that would go through both the outside support plates and let the cylinder connector float on the pin in the center and all those problems went away.

 

[LD1]

Just curious what size cylinder and how much pressure you were running that was bending your pusher?

This is only a 4" cylinder and 2500psi setup. About 15.5 tons is all. And after looking at other various manufactures designs online, I think my pusher is built as heavy (if not heavier) than alot of other ones I seen that are running more tonnage than I will be. So time will tell.

and the pusher wasnt hard to make. So if I have to re-design that part, or beef it up later, thats easy.

 

[LD1]

Beer holder?

I knew I was forgetting something.....:mur:

I will get on that:drink:

 

[mx842]

Just curious what size cylinder and how much pressure you were running that was bending your pusher?

This is only a 4" cylinder and 2500psi setup. About 15.5 tons is all. And after looking at other various manufactures designs online, I think my pusher is built as heavy (if not heavier) than alot of other ones I seen that are running more tonnage than I will be. So time will tell.

and the pusher wasnt hard to make. So if I have to re-design that part, or beef it up later, thats easy.

I thought I posted that I was running basically the same setup as you. I bought everything that I had to buy from Northern Hydraulics and at the time everything was just branded that way so you didn't know who actually made the stuff. I used their24" long 4x2 cylinder, a 22 gpm two speed pump. I'm not sure what valve I bought but I do remember there was one a little bigger with detent in both directions but I opted for the cheaper one because money was getting tight at that point. However this one does have detent on return. I believe your 15 ton number you posted is what I came up with when I ran the numbers back then.

I wondered about the wedge attachment thing also when I was putting mine together but we didn't have internet back then the way we do now so it was do it like everyone else did and just weld it flat to the end of the beam. I had already built a couple before this one with the wedge welded flat to the beam with no problems so I figured....... why not, and as old Joe Gibbs would say,........ what's the worst that can happen?LOL That was a long time ago and it hasn't broke off yet.

It's split some pretty knotted up stuff too. In fact when I was selling wood I had to buy most of my wood from a logger in long lengths and they would always send the stuff that the mills didn't want which was twisted and full of knots. It was really good hardwood and made really good firewood but was a bear to split. Some of it wouldn't split at all and I would have to slice it half way through with a chainsaw before the splitter could slice through it, then most of the time it wouldn't split it it would just cut it's way through a little at a time. Those were the days and a hard way to make a living. I was sure glad when the boat business finally started paying off so we didn't have to depend on wood to feed me and the guys through the winter.

I don't want to bore you but I just have to tell you about the first splitter I built. It was built completely out of junk or salvaged parts. It didn't have wheels on it we just dragged it in and out of the woods when we used it. I had a long piece of railroad rail that I cut in half and placed side by side then welded a piece of flat plate to the top. I made the wedge and push block out of what was left of the rail and it took like about a week to grind that sucker to a point but it worked pretty good. I welded the push bar to the end of a old leaking cylinder that came off of a old bulldozer that had been junked out long ago. I found a old walk behind tractor sitting on the side of the road and with the promise of a few loads of firewood to the proud old farmer owner I drug it home to salvage some pulleys, belts and a 5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine. I scored a pump and valve off of an dump truck had long past hauled it's last load and finally I had pretty much everything I needed to put it all together.

She wasn't pretty, it leaked oil badly, smoked the woods up and was hard on the old back the way it was all welded and bolted together but it did work fairly well. It wasn't a powerhouse but it did split most wood pretty good. It wouldn't split the real knotty stuff but it dang sure beat the ax, hammer and wedge we had to use at the time. We would save the knotty stuff to fuel the wood pile fire that warmed our hands and to have a place to sit when we were done for the day. A working machine, a big slab of cheese, some crackers and a can of beanie weenies.........what else could a man ask for? Oh I forgot the beer! There was always plenty of Bud to go around.

 

[mikefromnh]

Here's a home made self propelled splitter, only one pic though.

Miller - Welding Projects - Idea Gallery - Self Propelled Log Splitter

 

[LD1]

Here's a home made self propelled splitter, only one pic though.

Miller - Welding Projects - Idea Gallery - Self Propelled Log Splitter

Hard to see how they are driving it? I know it says hydrostat, and their appears to be hydraulic lines running to the wheels, but I wonder how he incorporated that with a truck rear-end? I dont see it being driven by the pinion.

Wish there were better pics of that one,,,,

 

[LD1]

Anyhow, been working so only getting a few hours a day to devote to the splitter. But have gotten a little more done.


Here is the hitch and pump mounting plate.

I have two pieces bolted to the frame that the plate will be welded to. I will bolt the plate on the pump, align the coupling, and weld it to the bolted on pieces on the frame. That way it can be removed easier without taking the coupling loose from the top of the plate up in a tight area.

 

[LD1]

And I also got the tables finished

 

[LD1]

Hydraulic hoses havent showed up yet. So thats looking like monday. As is the jack.

Other than that, I got maybe an hour left putting the pump plate on, and then I need to remove the brakes from the truck axle. (one is hanging up).

So hopefully when I get home from work in the morning, I can get that done and shoot some primer before I nap. Then when I get up shoot some color. By the time hydraulic hoses and jack get here, paint should be dry and only a hour or so throwing them on and Im ready to split...:thumbsup:

 

[arrow]

I think a 4 way wedge is an invaluable tool. No matter how fast your splitter will be, there is always room for more speed. (sort of like when you build a high performance engine and no matter what you've done you want more.) One stroke and yur done. Doesn't need to be anything elaborate. What I like about mine is that it "floats" to meet the center of the round. I limit it to about a 14" diam. round. Wedge is on and off in a second or two.

 

[mikefromnh]

Hard to see how they are driving it? I know it says hydrostat, and their appears to be hydraulic lines running to the wheels, but I wonder how he incorporated that with a truck rear-end? I dont see it being driven by the pinion.

Wish there were better pics of that one,,,,

I read the description again and it sounds like the front wheel is the drive wheel and the rear axle steers (from an accord) -- though the description is confusing. I couldn't find any more pics.

 

[LD1]

If I do make a 4-way it will be a slip on like that. We have one that looks almost identical for the other splitter. But that is down the road though. Just focusing on getting this right first.

 

[nwngunner]

LD1 if i were you, i would add an additional spool on to my valve, and run hard lines up your beam and get your self an old hay or corn elevator. Place a hydrualic motor on the elevator and get some pioneere disconnects. That way you can take it off if you want, other wise after you split your peice drop it on the elevator up to the truck it goes. Cut down on how much you have to handle each peice.

 

[2458n]

I really like the 4-way and elevator ideas. Mine does not have either feature, but have accumulated all the pieces over the years. Glad to see you at work on yours.

 

[LD1]

Got the paint on yesterday:

Primed:



And painted

 

[LD1]

LD1 if i were you, i would add an additional spool on to my valve, and run hard lines up your beam and get your self an old hay or corn elevator. Place a hydrualic motor on the elevator and get some pioneere disconnects. That way you can take it off if you want, other wise after you split your peice drop it on the elevator up to the truck it goes. Cut down on how much you have to handle each peice.

I hardly ever split and load directly onto the truck. If I am going to the woods to cut, I am going to cut. Not split.

I haul the rounds home, and usually split as I unload the truck, and stack up between trees to season. So I dont forsee me ever doing an elevator.

 

[mx842]

Got the paint on yesterday:

Primed:
View attachment 366948View attachment 366949

And painted
View attachment 366950View attachment 366951

Looking good.......can't wait til we get a report on how it works. Seems a shame to mess up all that pretty paint though:thumbsup:

 

[Texasmark]

Over the past few months I have started a few threads and asked lots of questions about building my splitter.

Well, I am underway now. Cylinder, valve, pump, filter, and suction strainer should be delivered today. I already have steel, beam, tank, motor, and an axle to use. Will get hoses made once I get things assembled and figure exactally what I need.

This will likely take me a few weeks, but will keep things updated as I go.

Here is some shots of the wedge and beam. I took shieldarc's idea for how to attach. And I left the beam long for a good secure point for attaching the table.


Here is the wedge and beam.
View attachment 365687View attachment 365688View attachment 365689View attachment 365690

Really nice metal working. In the building of mine I started out with a piece of 3/8" sharpened steel for the wedge (like yours but not as pretty a machining job), cutter or what you choose to call it. I found that the cutter sliced the logs, like a butcher knife slices meat, rather than popped them open.

At the time I was running a shorter cylinder and that obviously hampered success as I ran out of travel before I had the log split. I then added a wedge as pictured on my post and by the 4th iteration I had what worked really well. The wedge is back from the leading edge to give the point time to get into the log and start the splitting process then after about an inch or so of that, the wedge forces the log to separate by expanding about 15 or so degrees on both sides. Once I added the 24" stroke cylinder it was a walk in the park.

On the question of 2 stage pumps and speed, the literature supplied with mine, which seems to be a popular model made for the purpose, said that the pump changes stages internally by pressure relief valves and as the wedge engages the log and the pressure builds up, the pressure relief valve in the pump automatically diverts the fluid to the high pressure stage. With that said, I doubt that velocity of the fluid would keep you from getting the benefit of the 2nd stage. Personal opinion but makes sense to me.

Mark