Log splitter cylinder question......

[JDavidS]

Getting ready to build a vertical log splitter (I know, I know..... would be cheaper to buy full up unit but I have a new in the crate Yanmar L100AE and access to free/really cheap steel and other resources and I want a 30" capacity)

Looking at a 5" x 30" cylinder but the prices vary by quite a bit- from around $400 for the low end (Maxim brand I believe?) to around $800 for a welded Prince Gladiator for example.

My question is the added expense for the higher quality needed/worth it?

Oh yeah..... new to the forum/first post. Howdy.

 

[hupte]

welcome to as!!!
well its worth it to me, but its easy for me to spend your money. lol. just kidding. seriously though what kind of splitter do you want?? do you want one that you constantly have to upgrade? or do you want the best quality and well built splitter that will last many years?? i'd make sure you can get a serviceable cylinder. just in case you have problems you can rebuild it.

 

[JDavidS]

I hear ya hupte- I am stickler for quality myself. Just trying to semi-watch my pennies and not go full on crazy budget wise. I am definitely trying to build something that will still be going strong in twenty years. Was just wondering if their was some factor/consideration that I didn't know about that would influence my choice.

Looking to push a 22gmp two stage pump with the Yanmar 10hp.

 

[nathon918]

prices vary a lot between cylinder types, because of materials used, and the amount of machining/ welding required... tie-rod cylinders require no welding, and very little machining to the cylinder, and use many cast parts...welded cylinder require welding the cylinder and also the rod if its a cross tube mount, plus machining the cross tubes, the rear cylinder cap, threading or machining the cylinder for the gland cap
also rod size plays a lot into the price, bigger the rod the more money it costs...
personally id go with (and I did) a prince cylinder, all of their cylinder are high quality made in USA...I have a 5 x 24 Gladiator for my main split cylinder and a 2-1/2 x 18 on my log lift
I also looked at different cylinders when I was building mine, but I kept going back to prince because of quality...

 

[JDavidS]

Thanks for replying Nathon- I am 98% decided to spend the extra dough and get the prince gladiator. It will be well worth the extra money over the long haul I am sure.

 

[Kevin in Ohio]

I'd HIGHLY suggest getting with James at Splitez

http://www.splitez.com/log_splitter_wood_splitters.html

He has your welded prince 5" x 30 for $650.00. I bought all my stuff from him and he stands behind what he sells. Plus he builds them himself and will help you from making mistakes on your build. In this day and age it's rare you find a seller who is like him. Good prices on all the stuff he sells.

I have the 5 x 30 on mine and it came from him.

 

[JDavidS]

Yeah, I have already talked to James. He, and P&J, is definitely the way to go for splitter parts.

 

[JeffHK454]

I'd avoid any cylinder with tierods , they're notoriously fragile. I spent some years working a second job in a hydraulic shop and saw many of these rams develope leaks where the end caps meets the tube from just a small bump. Tierod cylinders have their place but the ram of a log splitter takes a beating and needs to be able to take the occasional hit.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

What kind of RPM are you looking at from that diesel? Remember that those two stages are designed to run at 3600 to get rated volume.

 

[gary s]

Jdavids, will your 10 horse push a 22 gal pump? Sounds like too many gallons or not enough ponies.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Diesels are not gas engines, but I had an 18 gas twin on a 28gpm and it was marginal. I was wishing for a 22.

 

[JDavidS]

Probably around 2800-3000 RPM's Haywire for longevity of engine life. No need to have it screaming for 95% of the wood I will be splitting.

And ya hit the nail smack dab on the head when you said diesels are not gas engines. A quality diesel of 10hp is equivalent to a 14-15hp gas burner.

As for volume, 80% of 22gpm is more than 80% of 16gpm, or least it is in my feeble brain. ;-)

Easy enough to give the throttle a nudge if I run into something really big and nasty.

I don't need a super huge amount of splitting force, and I am not in a super huge hurry. I am supplying my two sisters and my dad with firewood, but all use wood as secondary/supplemental heat. Call it 12-15 pickup truck loads of wood a year. I have no clue how many cords that is.

 

[c5rulz]

I don't need a super huge amount of splitting force, and I am not in a super huge hurry. I am supplying my two sisters and my dad with firewood, but all use wood as secondary/supplemental heat. Call it 12-15 pickup truck loads of wood a year. I have no clue how many cords that is.

With an 8' box plumb full and neatly ranked, that would close to a half cord. Tossed in loose figure 30% less.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Probably around 2800-3000 RPM's Haywire for longevity of engine life. No need to have it screaming for 95% of the wood I will be splitting.

And ya hit the nail smack dab on the head when you said diesels are not gas engines. A quality diesel of 10hp is equivalent to a 14-15hp gas burner.

As for volume, 80% of 22gpm is more than 80% of 16gpm, or least it is in my feeble brain. ;-)

Easy enough to give the throttle a nudge if I run into something really big and nasty.

I don't need a super huge amount of splitting force, and I am not in a super huge hurry. I am supplying my two sisters and my dad with firewood, but all use wood as secondary/supplemental heat. Call it 12-15 pickup truck loads of wood a year. I have no clue how many cords that is.

Sounds like you've done your calculations. Drive on. [emoji106]

 

[JDavidS]

Sounds like you've done your calculations. Drive on. [emoji106]

I have done plenty of head scratching Haywire, and was originally planning on the 16 GPM pump, but after I did my research, and confirmed it with a couple of experts, the Yanmar L100 should push the 22 without a problem- the diesels have a lot more torque and "lugging" ability. Worst case is it doesn't work like I want it to, and I will swap it out for the smaller pump.

 

[JDavidS]

 

[JDavidS]

 

[JDavidS]

 

[JDavidS]

 

[JDavidS]

Pics of the Yanmar. ^^