Building a long wood splitter

[Materi]

I am starting to build a log splitter for my old man. He heats his farm with an outdoor wood stove which he burn 3'-4' ligs in. He cuts some himself or if he runs outta time he orders it by the semi load.(25-30) chords. When ge gets the seni loads he always gets a fee ligs that are biggar than ge wants so he ends up splitting em by hand. He has been looking at buying a splitter but nothing is ever long enough. So i though hell i can build him one. I am a journeyman welder with access to tons if steel. So here is the plan. I got a chunk og 8"x8"x8' i beam and 3/4" plate. We are building it with the "axe" end welder to the beam and a pusher in the end of the ram. I would also like to add a lifting arm on the side to lift the ligs into the table. The structure of the splitter is easy i can deal with that. The only thing we are having issues on is building a safe hydraulic system. He has a perfectly good running 16hp engine he wants to use. Now can u experimced guys fill in the rest? Speed is not really necessary because any splitrer will be easier than with an axe. Thanks guys

 

[Materi]

Also to add i have already picked up a 16.9 gpm pump and mounting plate for the engine which can be returned if not correct. Good idea?? And also a log splitter control valve

 

[dave_dj1]

Sounds like the start of a great splitter! If it was me, I would go with the 22 gpm pump. I don't like splitting so the sooner it's done the better. What size ram are you going to get? Depending on size, bore and shaft diameter will determine your power, there are sites with calculators to figure tonnage and speed. Here is one: Hydraulic Cylinder Calculator

Surplus center has decent prices and inventory as well as many other places including splitez.com
If I had the money I would have like to have gotten the auto cycle valve, too spendy when I had free/cheap valves to use.
The log lift and out feed table are must haves in my book. The log lift will take some fine tuning and maybe a flow restrictor so you don't launch the log.
Take your time and lay it all out, don't put the axle or motor in the way. Search here as there are some really good examples.

Good luck and keep us posted,
dave

 

[Patrick62]

great idea

yuor psot was hrad to raed. it mgiht hvae been smoe tiypnig pborelm.

The longer the beam, the weaker it is. Over design the thing, and you probably be okay.

 

[blades]

Look for a cylinder of the length you need with as big a ram diameter as you can find vs the diameter of the cylinder. I do not think for your extra long rig a W or H beam would be the best choice. perhaps some 4x6,or 2x6 or there about tubing 1/4" walled ( schedule 80?) welded together lengthwise would give a much stronger beam to resist flex and twisting. If a W or H beam is your choice you will definitely need to box it or it will be sprung and/or twisted in short order. Thin wedge for a long cut would save a lot of stress on the beam. Lift vs/crane?

 

[Zeus103363]

I used a w6"x25 beam for my log splitter build, and it has worked out perfectly! I did ad some gusset plates in the web of the beam, under the cylinder, just keeping it out of the way of the slider for the wedge. View attachment 298097

Good luck with your build and let me know if I can be of any help.