Started my welding class am looking for a project

[pequeajim]

I just started an Intro To Welding class today. The class runs for 10 weeks of 6 hour classes, once per week. So as I learn, I am going to try to think up a project or two to do for my 425. I know one is a neat light bar that MR did for his 425, great idea!

Another is taking a trailer reciever and weling it to my blank mounting plate. I may even ask them how I can make a few duplicates.

Anyway, I was wondering if you guys had any EASY suggestions? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[J_J]

Here is a picture of a ripper which can be mounted both ways.
Some welding and cutting is involved.

 

[pequeajim]

Who makes that?

 

[J_J]

Sorry, but I don't remember. It is one of many that I have saved for reference. This ripper is offered by Metkit, to go on a backhoe, or mini-hoe, but could be adapted to the Quick-Attach plate. Looks like a good welding project. It is already cut and is ready for welding. If you have a drafting program, you can draft up one that is more in line to fit your machine.

I ordered one of their backhoe bucket, and welded it together, turned out nice,

 

[pequeajim]

Their log splitter looks pretty good too!

 

[MossRoad]

I'd make some sort of multi-tool. Besides a reciever for a trailer hitch, I'd make some other items to slip into the reciever, such as a ripper, potato digger, slicer, cable layer, etc... just about anything you can think of to slip into the receiver.

 

[40Kchicks]

A small grapple rake would come in handy and involve lots of welding and cutting.

Eric

 

[smartguyz]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Their log splitter looks pretty good too! )</font>

Hey,

This log splitter really does look pretty good. Does anyone have any ideas on how we might retrofit one for the 425?

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[stray]

I really like that concept. The cylinder is small enough that it might be ok to run it off the auxiliary Hydraulics. 7 ton would split some farley hard to split wood. Just turn it upside down and weld it to a Quick plate and two female disconnects and away you go. Very good find, I already have my splitter but I would have considered this one before. A good price as well. And roll the page up and check out the back hoe bucket out too. I do want one of those. Thanks for this link.

 

[MossRoad]

It is $265.00, plus you have to weld it together, plus you have to supply the cylinder and all the hoses.

You'll have over $450 into it before making a quick attach plate. Probably closer to $500, not counting your labor and it doesn't do all that large of diameter log, only 10-12" is what is listed.

I would think you could pick up a chunk of I beam at a scrap yard pretty cheap to use as your base. Take some measurements from traditional log splitters and build one that is much heavier for the same cost.

As for adapting it to the PT, the AUX PTO is supposed to supply hydraulic pressure at 2500PSI but less than the 8GPM of the main PTO. You would have slower cycle times, but it would have enough pressure to do the job.

I like the idea of the splitter being upside down for use from the driver's seat. However I would also want to be able to rotate it 180 for manual loading. The problem then becomes, you would have to load a log and then move to the operator's station to operate the knee lever. That would be combersome.

I would add some sort of aux hydraulic circuit in parallel with the AUX PTO circuit and put a valve out on the splitter for manual operation as well.