Built a hydraulic lift for my splitter with pics

[skid row]

Thanks guys for the comps. At a farm equipment auction I saw a timberwolf splitter and knew a log lift was the ticket for the big rounds and saving my back.

I originally built this splitter 10 years ago when a friend gave me a wedge and an I beam.( I wish it was an H beam but it was free)
If you look at the very first 2 pic's you can see the old slide and rear cylinder anchor. They both worked good but as the lift took shape they looked kinda sloppy.

The steel was bought from a local steel supplier, square tubing, angle, and bar stock in 20' lengths, and the thick plates were cut-off drops sold by the pound. Steel prices have really soared high the past few years like everything else.

I wish I had a plasma cutter, as I have used one 10 years ago when I was employed as an iron worker. All cutting was done with a oxy/propane torch and a cut off saw. Welding was with a tombstone ac/dc stick welder. Critical welds were done with 3/16" 7018 rods, and all other welds with 5/32" 6013, 7014 and 7024 rods.

I started the project in the begining of february after football season. I dont know how much time I put in but worked on it on week ends and a little during the week.Alot of time was spent sitting on my thinking bucket figuring it all out before cutting and welding and making templates out of a pizza box.

The hydraulic fittings and filter were purchased from surplus center and northern tool, and the new 2X10 cylinder from fleabay for 30 bucks.

The whole lift is attached to the web of the beam with grade 8 1" bolts and nuts. But I dont think I would ever take it off as this is a great back saver.

As soon as I get the splitter to some work sites I will post some action pics.

 

[Crofter]

Very nice looking welding and cutting. I have been thinking of doing a lift for mine as the blocks are just getting too darned heavy. I was thinking of making it free standing with quick disconnects for the hoses but I like that way of attachment. I know what you mean about I beam vs H beam. I used tall wedge and pusher like you did and sometimes with tough blocks there is quite a tendency to twist the whole beam. I will weld on a 1/2 X 2 1/2 flat bar each side full length just below the slide so that should stiffen things a lot. Mine doesnt have a speck of paint so it looks pretty tawdry beside yours.

Thanks, the photos will save me a lot of time head scratching!

 

[Blazin]

Great job! Your gonna love the lift, It was the best thing I added on mine, plus the table!

 

[neverrude]

Excellent job Skid,

Thanks for sharing the pix and process.

I agree...

 

[michigander]

Great job! Great pic's! I built my splitter about a month ago and your lift looks so good, I hope to use some of your ideas. Thanks!

 

[johnha]

Ditto on the kudos, thank you for sharing. Couple of questions if you don't mind:

What kind/type of cylinder is that you used for the lift?

What kind of cycle time do you get from the lift?

Thanks again.

 

[skid row]

Ditto on the kudos, thank you for sharing. Couple of questions if you don't mind:

What kind/type of cylinder is that you used for the lift?

What kind of cycle time do you get from the lift?

Thanks again.

Tie rod cylinder made by lion 2500 psi 2" bore and 10" stroke and 1" clevis pins. Got it off flea bay for 40 bucks including shipping, its new old stock. TSC wanted $88 and tax.

Its fast, all the way up or down about 1 second. I manually feather the valve flow(slower) and its just the right speed that I want to safely work with. This upgrade will extend the milage on my back many years. No such hope for my CAD though..

 

[Blazin]

Its fast, all the way up or down about 1 second. I manually feather the valve flow(slower) and its just the right speed that I want to safely work with. This upgrade will extend the milage on my back many years. No such hope for my CAD though..

I brazed the bottom (extend) fitting on the lift cylinder closed on mine and drilled a 1/32 hole in it to make a flow restriction which worked perfectly, no need to feather the lever.

 

[stihl only]

Man thats a nice looking splitter! Don't think there is a round on my property that it couldn't handle with ease!

 

[jcappe]

Great job, looks like you had fun. I wish I could sit down and think up something like that.

 

[Mike Van]

Nice work skid row - You get the tray/catcher done for the front, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it - Oh, your shop is too neat - When I find the s.o.b. that messes mine up all the time, he's going to get his butt kicked -

 

[Mr Goodwrench]

Awesome

Aint that FUN designing and fabricating that stuff??? almost better than sex, I built a log lift for mine this summer will post some pics when I get a roundtuit.

 

[skid row]

Ya mike, log table was built last april and put to use. Works great... Still have not painted it though.

 

[skid row]

A real backsaver.

 

[abohac]

Tinkering

From a guy who likes working with steel and tinkering, I admire your work. Looks kinda simple but I can tell you put a great deal of time in. I didn't read all the posts, but did you have any trouble with cylinder speed? (too fast)

 

[046]

WOW... nice action shot...

"don't be a hero... cut em down to size"

split several loads of that sized logs by muscling over to splitter in vertical mode.
no more... 064 now comes out with noodles flying... much less effort ... most importantly much less risk of injuries.

Ya mike, log table was built last april and put to use. Works great... Still have not painted it though.

 

[stihl only]

WOW... nice action shot...

"don't be a hero... cut em down to size"

split several loads of that sized logs by muscling over to splitter in vertical mode.
no more... 064 now comes out with noodles flying... much less effort ... most importantly much less risk of injuries.

I think the whole point of fabricating the log lift, log stop, and table was so that rounds that large can be handled by the splitter safely...

Lifting and splitting takes less time than making flying noodles, though noodle making IS fun!

 

[stihl sawing]

Wow, It will lift some big rounds, really nice. I'm with 046 though, Noodle em up and save the back. You still gotta roll them over to it.

 

[Dok]

That's beautiful work, thanks for sharing! I only know enough about metal work to really appreciate what you have done Very nice!
Dok

 

[stihl only]

Wow, It will lift some big rounds, really nice. I'm with 046 though, Noodle em up and save the back. You still gotta roll them over to it.

Even if you quartered that round, it's still going to weigh a lot more than I care to lift and now you don't have a choice because you just made one really heavy wheel chock!

Don't forget that there is an axle under the splitter so you could tow it along as you split and not have to move the rounds very far at all.