Lickity log splitter project

[candrews]

I picked up a 1981 MK348 yesterday 4 hour drive from my house. I did not get a great deal on it but not too bad either. It is missing some parts and the replaced engine on it seems to me underpowered at 5HP, but starts and runs well. My main concern is the missing pump and hoses. Everything else seems to be there except for the throttle cable. What is my best plan of attack to get this beast up and running in like origional working order? I have already contacted webbs-farmsupplies and ordered the origional manual. They carry many repair parts but do not have the pump.
Thanks in advance for any and all helpful replies. And I am not interested in selling it.

 

[ponyexpress976]

Get a mount and pump from nothern tool. 11gpm 2 speed will serve you well with that motor. If you decide to replace the motor you need 1/2 hp for every gpm pump size...8hp for the 16gpm pump. Any hydraulics shop should be able to hook you up with hoses. If it's been sitting with the various componenet open to the elements, might be a good idea to have the shop flush out the tank/cylinder/valve.

 

[super3]

No need for a big GPM pump nor a 2 speed on that madel as the 2 speed is built in to the shift valve. You will wind up blowing the o rings with too big of pump. Original pump is only 2.8 gpm and is plenty fast. Closest replacement I have found is a Parker at 3.2 gpm. I have the part # somewhere, I'll keep looking.

I do have the casing for the throttle cable if you need some, the inner is easy enough to make yourself.

 

[Hddnis]

How is the two speed in the valve?



Mr. HE

 

[candrews]

There is not one valve but a series of valves and fluid returns and the cylinder is retracted by springs. This is not your normal log splitter that has a 2 stage pump.
I havent figured it all out yet but it will be easier when I receive the manual.

 

[IHDiesel73L]

I picked up a 1981 MK348 yesterday 4 hour drive from my house. I did not get a great deal on it but not too bad either. It is missing some parts and the replaced engine on it seems to me underpowered at 5HP, but starts and runs well. My main concern is the missing pump and hoses. Everything else seems to be there except for the throttle cable. What is my best plan of attack to get this beast up and running in like origional working order? I have already contacted webbs-farmsupplies and ordered the origional manual. They carry many repair parts but do not have the pump.
Thanks in advance for any and all helpful replies. And I am not interested in selling it.

Welcome to the club! Here is mine-it's been modified a bit (not by me):

 

[rarefish383]

A friend gave me his old Lickity a couple months ago, I gave him $50 bucks for it, but I just say he gave it to me. It's a model 26mk34E, the serial # is 6768. I'm planning to start a resto thread on it, once I get started. It's 100% complete, but a few of the springs are rusted away. An AS member sent me a copy of the owners manual already, and I'll be seeking an info and help I can get. The first thing I'm doing is rebuilding the frame. The angle iron is cracked on both sides over the axle. The one question I have is the machine came with an 8hp Kohler (not running). I have a 12 hp Kohler electric start that runs like a top. Does anyone see a problem with over powering the pump? I've posted a pic of it in a couple other treads, but here it is again, Joe.

 

[jags]

Ya can't really "over power" a pump. All the pressure is regulated by the relief valve. You won't create anything more than what the relief valve will allow - even if you use 20 HP. The only down side is fuel consumption if that is any issue (its not to me because of the limited hours I use it).

On the last splitter I built, I used a 14.5 HP electric start on a 16 gpm pump (for what ever thats worth:msp_scared

 

[rarefish383]

Fuel consumption is not a problem, especially with this machine. It runs at an idle untill you hit the lever to extend the ram, then it throttles up. When it hits the end of the travel and the springs start to pull the piston back it idles back down. The only reason I was concered about the power is this machine is not designed like a modern splitter. It has a single stage pump, and a 2 stage piston, and works on relief valves in the hydraulic system. I was thinking along the same lines as you on not being able to over power the pump, but this a kinda sensitive machine on settings and such. Thanks, Joe.

 

[owbguy]

I have this one. Its the slow cycle machine. But its been very dependable for 40 years. My grandmother (yes, I said grandmother) bought it new.....

 

[jags]

The relief valve will still work the same way - even with more HP. However, your throttle response could be a bugger to get configured with a different engine.

 

[rarefish383]

Thanks Jags, that's the kind of detail I've got to think about. The throttle cable is hooked to the actuation lever. You just bump it forward, don't hold it, and it cycles on it's own. Once it hits the end of the stroke and the lever comes back a spring idles it down. I'm gonna get the frame all done first so when I work on it every thing will be spotless clean. But, I'm keeping all these little things written down. Thanks again, Joe.

 

[Bob95065]

I have a EK308 that I got for free 10 years ago. I replaced the Kohler K181 8HP engine that had a thrown rod with an identical until I rebuilt.

The only place to get parts is Webb Farm Supply in Soquel, CA. You can learn more here: Webbs-farmsupplies He has links to parts lists at his site and he has a nice inventory of NOS and new parts he made. Lowell is a great guy to deal with.

I went through my Lickety two weekends ago and changed the o-rings in the ram along with the hydraulic fluid. The bronze wear plate and brass shoes are worn. I called Webb and he wants a fortune for these parts. Does anyone have dimensions for these items?

I am looking for dimensions for parts 28, 29 and 37 in the attached image.

Any help is appreciated.

Bob

 

[trout-bum]

View attachment 336665 View attachment 336665

I have a EK308 that I got for free 10 years ago. I replaced the Kohler K181 8HP engine that had a thrown rod with an identical until I rebuilt.

The only place to get parts is Webb Farm Supply in Soquel, CA. You can learn more here: Webbs-farmsupplies He has links to parts lists at his site and he has a nice inventory of NOS and new parts he made. Lowell is a great guy to deal with.

I went through my Lickety two weekends ago and changed the o-rings in the ram along with the hydraulic fluid. The bronze wear plate and brass shoes are worn. I called Webb and he wants a fortune for these parts. Does anyone have dimensions for these items?

I am looking for dimensions for parts 28, 29 and 37 in the attached image.

Any help is appreciated.

Bob

Bob , what did you do with the worn parts ? I just purchased the bronze and machined it to 3/16 " and also made new wear shoes, all of bronze. The plate I bought from webs was 1/8 inch brass , and it wasn't going to work for me. I made these to replace my shoes. I bought the best bronze available for the application. I can make any shoes for the many applications. The metal , and machining wasn't cheap , and replacing the original parts with these parts will prob. be the last time . There was 2 holes in the flat bronze plate. They will be drilled prior to installation. I will be posting pics of my re-build.

 

[super3]

Wow, old thread, most pics lost. Good job TB, I also made my own wear plates.

rarefish, great find!

 

[rarefish383]

Super3, nice to see interest in theses old threads. Mine went on a back burner. I'm retiring in about a year and a half. It's gonna be one of my first projects. I also found some one that has the same model as mine that may let his go. Letting him think about it, Joe.

 

[Bob95065]

View attachment 336665 View attachment 336665
Bob , what did you do with the worn parts ? I just purchased the bronze and machined it to 3/16 " and also made new wear shoes, all of bronze. The plate I bought from webs was 1/8 inch brass , and it wasn't going to work for me. I made these to replace my shoes. I bought the best bronze available for the application. I can make any shoes for the many applications. The metal , and machining wasn't cheap , and replacing the original parts with these parts will prob. be the last time . There was 2 holes in the flat bronze plate. They will be drilled prior to installation. I will be posting pics of my re-build.

Great work. After I found out what the material price was to make shoes out of brass I made a set out of aluminum. I used some nylon runners for wear plates.

The log splitter is at a friends house for the winter. I'll take pictures the next time I am there.

Where did you get the bronze for your plates and what was the cost? Did you make a drawing of the plates? Mine were so badly worn that I am not 1000% sure of the dimensions.

I don't use my log splitter that much. I like using a 8lb maul better. I can split faster with a maul than even my Lickety.

Bob

 

[super3]

I have a 69' MK348. Very similar to the one you picked up. I've had to rebuilt many parts on it as Webb is out of site on their prices. Lots of older threads on here with the updates but, I'm sure most of the pics are missing now.


This is it after I replaced the top plate and a re seal of the cylinder a couple of yrs ago.

 

[trout-bum]

Great work. After I found out what the material price was to make shoes out of brass I made a set out of aluminum. I used some nylon runners for wear plates.

The log splitter is at a friends house for the winter. I'll take pictures the next time I am there.

Where did you get the bronze for your plates and what was the cost? Did you make a drawing of the plates? Mine were so badly worn that I am not 1000% sure of the dimensions.

I don't use my log splitter that much. I like using a 8lb maul better. I can split faster with a maul than even my Lickety.

Bob

Bob, I was working in Texas and found a supplier for all types of material , I picked up 2 plates made of bronze , 86.00 for 2, and the shoes , all totaled at 200.00 . I have a guy at a machine shop that did all my machine work 100.00 for the finished parts I've posted earlier. I have a full analytical report done on the metal , I will post it for you , once I dig it out of my papers from the trip
The plates were 1/4" , Webbs sold me 1/8 " and that was 1/3 the thickness of my worn plate. I have to drill the holes for installation, plus the 2 larger holes for the oil drip , lubrication of the slide shown in my previous pics.

 

[Rob Graham]

I have several parts for the MK348. Electric start Kohler 8.5 hp (I have 2), controller, springs, cable,etc. I'm looking for the tire/rim assembly and will trade. If interested, please email me at [email protected]