Skiddy Bopper Log splitter questions...

GeeVee · Jan 4, 2012

I've got an ASV RC 30 I'd like to build a log splitter for.

I think I can be happy with 10 gpm being produced. I aint all about speed, anything to not have to pick up a round. I like my chainy-saws, but picking up wood with my hands and or bending over to do so is STOOPID.

Need advice on:

Wedge on ram or wedge on end? I might want to go vertical with it?

Ram size?

I will likely build a mounting plate, and just physically orient it to the mount- right side up, or upside down. If I want to go vertical, I must have the wedge on the ram.

I intend to use the thumb switch first, driving, gripping splitting with it facing down. If any of my family is around and want to be helpful, I can let them sit in the cab and Ill upright the thingy and load it. If I get tired of using the Pilot Control thumb switch, I can run it in full time flow mode, and add a valve package.(Did I mention that I have family that just loves to play with my toys- Tools?)

Thanks Yall.

KYErik · Jan 4, 2012

A 4" ram is pretty standard unless you have some really gnarly wood.

I just built a splitter with a fixed wedge. My main reason for that design was my low budget- to do a moving wedge, you need to have at least a 1 inch steel plate at the base. Aside from the wedge itself, you can get by with 1/2" material if you do a fixed wedge.

Moving wedge:

+ wood doesn't have to be moved around as much if you have a big one or you need to resplit a big piece (fixed wedge machine will require that you drag the piece back to where it started
+ splitter can be turned to vertical
+ a bracket can be made so as to easily strip off a stuck piece when the ram is fully retracted
- wedge over 12" tall requires a very long and well reinforced pusher/slider assembly

Fixed wedge (flat moving pusher plate)

+ a bit cleaner/more efficient with each push (the base plate of the moving wedge design will catch/tear the bottom of the wood a little as it moves through the wood)
+ less stess on the moving pusher/slider plate assembly if going through wood with irregular grain (wood can shift a bit on the flat pusher plate)
+ has the potential for adding a 4 way wedge
+ 12" or taller wedge is not a problem