Quick question on log splitter beam reinforcement

[davedj1]

In my other thread (mock up of splitter I'm building) I got some suggestions to beef up the beam. Ok, what is the best way to do that?
My beam is 5" x 5" x 3/8" x 8' long
I have some 3/8" x 6" flat stock in house
should I, A) put a flat piece on top of the beam the entire length and the 6" wide? or cut it down to 5"?
or B) add a piece full length on the two sides of the web?
I'm kind of at an impasse at this point.
thanks,
dave

 

[MikeInEburg]

My splitter has flat stock welded to top of beam - maybe 1/2 narrower on each side to allow for welds. I would reinforce top before web

 

[Baby Grand]

Is your 5x5 beam a "box" or an "I"?
How long a log will it be able to split - what's the piston travel?

 

[mikehaugen]

adding the reinforcement to the top will do little for stiffening the beam, but will help if wear is a concern. Depends on what the reason is for reinforcing.

 

[Whisper35]

Hi,
I didn't build my wood splitter. I have a Splitfire 3204. I looked at it after reading your post and I noticed that the top of the beam appeared to be a little thicker than the rest of the beam. I didn't actually measure the beam, but it really does look thicker on top.

Since the splitter came from the factory this way. I would have to agree with MikeInEburb. I would probably reinforce the top of the beam, if you were going to beef it up at all.
I would think that a 5''x5" I-beam at 3/8" thick wouldn't need a whole lot of reinforcing though. I would probably cut the beam to 6ft in length though. It will help eliminate any twisting that could occur with the longer length.

 

[davedj1]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses, here is some info that may help.

I have an "I" beam.
I have a 4.5" bore x 30" stroke cylinder.
That's why it needs to be 8' long.
I have the cylinder planned to be 3/8" above the beam, putting the center at approximately 3.25" above beam.
I found a pic on the web of a guy that put an angular piece the length of each side making it almost a box beam
post #12 in this thread 5"x5" I beam for log splitter?
thanks,
dave

 

[SPYDERLK]

I beams are weak in torsion -- and torsional forces develop inevitably as the beam loads. If you do not have super adequate flange area and beam height it will twist some as it loads. You will need to keep it from twisting under load because the beam will fatigue and crack. With your beam size I think it is "strong" enuf but you will need to reinforce. Slapping extra metal on the flanges is one option, but is not the most effective place. Most effective is to split a pipe and weld it back together sandwiching the web. The high resultant torsional rigidity will assure that the beam has a long life.
larry

 

[davedj1]

Thanks for that info, that may be just the ticket. I can get some 4" x 1/4" wall pipe and slice and dice!
thanks,
dave

 

[SPYDERLK]

May not be room for 4" pipe. I think I used 3" Sch 40 on my 4x6x3/8 beam. Mine is 18 Ton.
larry

 

[turnkey4099]

May not be room for 4" pipe. I think I used 3" Sch 40 on my 4x6x3/8 beam. Mine is 18 Ton.
larry

For "stiffening" the beam (bending up/down) adding depth to it will accomplish more than anything else. My original built using 5" box was too limber, I added a 2" tube to the bottom and cured that.

That does not do anything to resist twisting force though.

Harry K