Replacement motor for custom-built woodsplitter ...

[Scavenger]

Hi All.

My neighbour built a woodsplitter many years ago. I've been borrowing it (and storing it) for a number of years now. The B&S motor that he originally put on it runs OK but it has a number of quirky things that make it a little difficult to use. I was thinking, as a way of thanking him for lending it, it'd replace the motor with one the 6.5 HP Predator motors from Harbor Freight. The motor on it is a B&S 111212-0189-01. I think that's a 3-4 HP motor (could be wrong). What I'm wondering is whether there are any issues with replacing that motor with the HF model? Will the HP increase cause any issues? If the RPM's of the two motors aren't the same, does that matter to the hydraulic pump? I have no idea the RPM of the current motor. I think the HF model is either 3600 or 3800. I just don't want to risk breaking anything because of the changeover, and I don't understand the hydraulic implications of making that change. Your thoughts? Thanks. Richard

 

[texasranger556]

Depends more on how the pump attaches. If the shaft length and diameter is the same you should be fine in my opinion.

 

[crazyal]

My guess is you will be fine but you may need to buy a new hydraulic pump bracket that mounts to the engine if the old one's bolt pattern doesn't mount to the new engine. Also if the output shaft is a different diameter you'll need to replace the lovejoy connector on the motor side. If the pump doesn't mount to the motor then you'll either have to make sure that the new shaft lines up directly or convert it to mounting to the back of the engine. As for extra HP, it's not going to make a difference to the pump. The Briggs should run at 3600 rpm, the replacement will either spin at the same speed or turn slightly slower but not enough to make a noticeable difference. If you look around I think you can find a new pump mount bracket for $30 to $40. If you look at the metal lovejoy coupling hub it should have a number on it. My splitter with a 5.5hp Honda on it uses a L90 hub. I do believe the part number is based on the outside diameter. The L90 is about 2 1/8". You can get them in pretty much every bore size imaginable (both metric and imperial). I would also replace the plastic spider that goes between the two hubs as they do wear out. The hub and the spider should be about $10 each.

 

[tomplum]

So I came up with the IPL for a 1999 (-99)model where you show yours is a 2001 (-01). 12T102-0023-F8 is shown as the engine replacement. As your engine is a flathead and the replacement is an OHV, they can have fit issues on some equipment due to general clearance. 3600 is the no load top RPM.

 

[PILOON]

Generally from what I have seen there seems to be only a couple of mounting patterns for the adaptors.
Some sort of standard kind of like SAE.
If not mistaken the pattern is same up to about 5 HP and changes about then so you could luck out.
Shaft sizes also increase as HP increases but again you could luck out.
Either way I'd want to use new Lovejoy rubbers for a new installation.

 

[Scavenger]

Good Morning and thanks for the replies.

Another of my neighbours is a retired farmer with a machinist background that now makes spending money by doing major tractor repairs for others. When this cold spell lifts I'll take the splitter over to him, with the specs for the HF replacement, and see what he says. I don't know enough about some of things you folks mentioned, but it made it obvious it wasn't necessarily a simple swap-out. Better to get some knowledgeable eyes on the project before I spend any money. Thanks again, and Happy New Year.

 

[crazyal]

It shouldn't be a hard swap. Sounds like your other neighbor should be able to help you fill in the blanks. My guess is that you'll have about $150 or so into it (you would of spent that in rental fees over the years). One nice thing about the newer engines is most have a fuel shut off. With my splitter when I know I'm not going to be using it for a month or two I'll shut the fuel off and let the engine run until it dies to make sure there's no fuel left in the carb to gum up. I also shut the fuel off when moving it.

 

[tcreeley]

Northern tool used to sell everything you needed for these conversions. Check them out.
Lovejoy from Northern Tool + Equipment

Lovejoy motor bracket from Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[flyerdan]

There really shouldn't be much involved in changing over, all of the engines that have been around for years all have the same mounting and dimensions for their class, the chicom engines will match in order to capture the replacement market over the domestic mills.

 

[Langanobob]

By unfortunate coincidence a friend loaned his B&S powered splitter to someone and it came back with a shiny new HF Predator engine on it. The borrower had good intentions but my buddy never forgave him for getting rid of the B&S. I think I also fall into that old school group who would prefer an older poor running Briggs over a new Predator. This business of messing with someone elses equipment, particularly something he built himself can be risky. I'd sure check with the owner before surprising him with an "improvement." If you really want to say thanks, put a Honda on it.

 

[Einthewoods]

We replaced the motor on our homebuilt splitter a couple years ago with this motor. It has run great, electric start and no issues with three different people using it for their years-worth of wood splitting. I would highly recommend it.

 

[Scavenger]

Good advice Langanobob.

 

[crazyal]

Another option would be to just replace the carb on that old engine and convert it to a breakerless ignition. It's probably a pulsa-jet so for less than $100 you should be able to do both and make it run like new.

 

[goeduck]

Another option would be to just replace the carb on that old engine and convert it to a breakerless ignition. It's probably a pulsa-jet so for less than $100 you should be able to do both and make it run like new.

That was my thought. Just fix the Briggs. Too much “throw it out, get a new one”

 

[tomplum]

Another option would be to just replace the carb on that old engine and convert it to a breakerless ignition. It's probably a pulsa-jet so for less than $100 you should be able to do both and make it run like new.

IMO, the little OHV engines run and start much better than these. Really. Even the little 100$ Predator. Recycle the darn thing. Should you feel you want to replace the carb, list is 110$ for the part. 3 Qt. 394084 or 1 Qt. 394085. If there is rust in the fuel tank, well you don't want to know. 591420 armature for 42$ if you are so inclined.

 

[BigBlue1]

By unfortunate coincidence a friend loaned his B&S powered splitter to someone and it came back with a shiny new HF Predator engine on it. The borrower had good intentions but my buddy never forgave him for getting rid of the B&S. I think I also fall into that old school group who would prefer an older poor running Briggs over a new Predator. This business of messing with someone elses equipment, particularly something he built himself can be risky. I'd sure check with the owner before surprising him with an "improvement." If you really want to say thanks, put a Honda on it.

I'm in this camp. What you're proposing is generous and thoughtful but may not be well received. Include the machine's owner in your ideas and get his input and blessing before turning a wrench. Otherwise it is a possibly candidate for turning a good friendship sour.

Rob

 

[MossRoad]

I had a 5hp briggs on my in-law's splitter that they gave us. I've replaced and repaired a few thing on it over the years. The pull starter housing broke off, the pulley inside was plastic and it got destroyed, and the seal around the shaf was leaking. Needed about $75 in parts, plus my labor.

Harbor Freight 6.5 Predator was on sale for $99. It was a DIRECT BOLT IN REPLACEMENT. Took me longer to find my allen wrench for the set screw on the shaft key than it did to swap out the entire engine!

$99!!!!

 

[goeduck]

I have one Chinese knock off engine and it is the only one I have to repair.

I would lose a gasket if I loaned my splitter to someone and it came back with a $99 Predator in place of my Honda GX. Some people like what they like. Ask him first, he may be fine with it but he may not be.

 

[4570Man]

I have one Chinese knock off engine and it is the only one I have to repair.

I would lose a gasket if I loaned my splitter to someone and it came back with a $99 Predator in place of my Honda GX. Some people like what they like. Ask him first, he may be fine with it but he may not be.

I would too, but a B&S isn’t a Honda GX. I agree asking the owner is the best choice.

 

[jdom84]

I have the HF predator motor on my home built log splitter. Its been running good for 2 years now with no repairs or issues and I don't do anything to it for storage... The shaft is really long, you'll need to cut some off. We also replaced a B&S motor on MTD splitter from the 90's, again had to shorten the shaft. But it has split over 8 cords this fall. They seem to be good motors, there is even aftermarket parts you can get for them.

but yes. You should ask the owner first. When I was a kid, my parents loaned their brand new rototiller to a family member and when it was returned months later. It had a different motor on it with no explanation...