powering a log splitter. ideas?

payton · Dec 3, 2009

I have wanted to build a log splitter for a few years and have access to an I/H beam 8X8", 35 lbs/foot for $9 a foot. this seems like a great deal compared to what i normally see.
I am a collage student studying mechanical Engineering and don't have much free time outside of breaks, so i would want to get this done during the 3 weeks i have off for Christmas.
I do not know what I am going to use to power this, i have a 2hp balador motor that had a water pump bolted to it's face. also have a 1.5hp and a .75 hp electric motors sitting on unused projects. I would like to stay away from buying a small gas engine if at all possible.
I would like this to be something that can ether A. split logs extreamly fast. or B. can split any huge log I throw at it. i want to build something that is better than the expensive splitters at home depot or lows. I am hoping to turn this into a business for me and my 14 year old brother. (the job i worked for the last 3 summers no longer exists) eventually i would like to have a splitter based off this ram?(https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009120315321385&item=9-7178&catname=hydraulic) that will cycle in under 5 seconds. and another splitter to do hard/big stuff and/or use a 4 way wedge.
i have some more things in my head i would like to post but i don't want to ramble on to bad.

Thanks for any help.
Payton Hand

kennyd · Dec 3, 2009

Welcome to TBN Payton

I don't see how you are going to do much with those small electric motors...and that cylinder you linked is VERY small. Most splitters use a 4"x24" cylinder.

What is your budget?

J_J · Dec 3, 2009

I would suggest to do a search for LOG SPLITTERS on TBN, and read all the data available. This the smallest 2 stage log splitter pump they make. and it needs 4 HP. If you think you have an electric motor that is equivalent, it might work. 8 GPM at 650 psi needs 4 HP

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009120318291417&item=9-7503-8&catname=hydraulic

Cycle time with that pump is 4.09 sec to extend. and 3.10 sec to retract. Total cycle time would be 7.19 sec.

Most you going to get is about 8 ton.

6sunset6 · Dec 3, 2009

I have a splitter I converted from a gas engine to an electric motor. The problem with electric motors is if you have only single phase You are kind of limited. If you have 3 phase you are golden. Lets assume single phase.
What ever you do the pump must run at 3600 rpm. So either a motor running at that speed or a pulley set up. The pulley ration would pretty much be 2:1 with 2 on the motor and 1 on the pump. I have done that and it works. You need to use a two stage pump and it only turns one way , cw looking at the shaft. ( check) most motors are reversible make sure it turns the correct direction. The other option is face mounted . I have done this as well but the largest face mount, TEFC single phase motor I could find was 2hp I think. TEFC is totally enclosed fan cooled. You could us a drip proof but it will get junk in it. The gpm of the pump will set the hp of the motor.
In anycase 1 ph motors are limited to about 7hp $800 and 37 amps

I could go on forever. I run an 11 gpm pump with a 2 hp 3600 , 220 1ph, c face TEFC motor and a 3.5 id x 24 cylinder with a splitter valve. detented on the return. Works well and splits everything I stick in it. I am careful with big knotty ones , nibbling around the edges. I posted some pictures last year I think. They must be on my other PC cause they are not on this one.

Scotty370 · Dec 3, 2009

I'd definately 'score ' about 6' of that "H" beam! That would give you room to mount a 4x24" ram with room for a wedge, push plate and tail mount. But I agree with KennyD and J_J, that your going to be disappointed with all your efforts if you don't kick up the power and volume enough to reward you for your efforts. I'd be looking for a 5HP engine, and a 11GPM 2-stage pump! I've been runnin' this combo for years, and am not disappointed! Welcome, and good luck, in the build, and your ME studies!! ~Scotty

Diamondpilot · Dec 3, 2009

I built a log splitter to run off my tractors hydro system. I built mine because I could not find what I wanted on the market. I have $450 in mine. Its really not much cheaper to build your own if you have to buy everything like I did.

I agree, a electric unit is going to leave you disappointed.

Here is a link to a bunch of home built splitters including mine. I will give you some good ideas.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/157420-show-your-homemade-splitter-pics.html

Chris

payton · Dec 3, 2009

i have a dedicated 20A outlet in our garage right not for my compressor that I am planning to switch over to 220V sometime. i could run a 4hp (5hp not maxed out) motor off this. i keep reading that electric HP is 2.5 times gas HP is, so this means i have 10HP equivalent. is their anyway to mount a belt driven pump in a gmc jimmy?

Payton

Wayne_H · Dec 3, 2009

payton said:
i have a dedicated 20A outlet in our garage right not for my compressor that I am planning to switch over to 220V sometime. i could run a 4hp (5hp not maxed out) motor off this. i keep reading that electric HP is 2.5 times gas HP is, so this means i have 10HP equivalent. is their anyway to mount a belt driven pump in a gmc jimmy?

Payton

Payton: Welcome aboard. A lot of great information here. That beam is a great beam. I'm puttting a splitter together now. The beam I am using is W8x40. It is a monster, but if you look around at the Rayco and Timberwolf Splitters you will see the big boys use that large beam. Three weeks from start to finish may be optimistic....

I wanted a cycle time of 11 seconds or less, and about 27 real tons, so I needed a 22 GPM pump, and with a 5" cylinder it requires over 10 HP. I'm using a 13 HP Honda.

There are also some good web sites to get parts. Look at http://www.splitez.com and give James a call. Super nice man with a lot of advice. They also build "real" splitters.

Since you are in school now, you might want to do some geometry and install a four way wedge and a log lift... My 4 way will have a 2"x4" cylinder, and the lift uses a 2"x10" cylinder.

Maybe think about an autocycle valve if you are doing a horizontal, and if horizontal think about making the top of the beam around 26-28 inches. The autocycle valve has two levers, you pull and forget. (might be bad if your finger was in the way)

Regarding electric being 2.5 the power of gas.... Not sure where you are in college, but where I went to high school they beat into me that one horse power was 746 watts. I've got a 5 HP motor on my compressor, and it is not five chinese horses... it runs off 220volts and draws over ten amps...

Good luck

Wayne

Scotty370 · Dec 3, 2009

Good conversation! But, I question that an Electric Motor will out perform a Gasoline engine by a factor of 2.5? Just trying to learn here also! J_J could solve this....where are ya J_J? Plus, explain that 5HP , or 4HP not maxed out statement? ~Scotty

payton · Dec 3, 2009

Scotty370 said:
Good conversation! But, I question that an Electric Motor will out perform a Gasoline engine by a factor of 2.5? Just trying to learn here also! J_J could solve this....where are ya J_J? Plus, explain that 5HP , or 4HP not maxed out statement? ~Scotty

on 220V 1 hp takes ~ 5amps. i have a 20 amp breaker so i will only be able to run a ~4hp motor. when an electric motor has less load on it it will draw less current. a 5hp motor maxed out would blow my breaker but a 5hp motor at ~80% load will not.

here is one example of a compressor driven by an electric and gas with the same output. 7.5hp electric. 13hp gas.
13 HP Honda, 30-Gal Gas Air Compressor
3 - 10 HP Air Compressors:

i under stand that 1 HP is ~750 W. but im not sure that a 1HP gas motor has 746W on the shaft. i don't really know anything about gas engines so i am just guessing.