SemperFiSawguy
ArboristSite Member
I recently purchased, this homemade splitter, for honestly, probably to much money, especially knowing i was going to make major changes, To it. But i figured since im almost done making all my modifications i would post up some before and after photos with my specs pre and post mods. Feel free to chime in your thoughts!!
To start, the good...ish, i purchased this splitter for $5k with a new honda GX390, and new 22gpm US made 2 stage hydraulic pump.
It had an 8 second cycle time, on a 4 inch cylinder, 25 gallon hydraulic tank, 4 way hydraulic adjustable wedge, prince auto cycle valve and a log lift. And all 3/4 work lines with 1.25 suction and 1 inch return. All things i was looking for, and for the price i figured i couldnt build one for that.. and well, i was KIND OF right.
Lets just say they took some, "shortcuts" that i was NOT going to leave or overlook..
For starters the surplus center 4 inch cylinder with 1/2 inch ports was anemic, leaking and vastly undersized and causing alot of restriction, so that had to go.. It had a 16gpm hydraulic filter on the return which was constantly on the relief since the pump is 22gpm and i figure almost 50gpm hammered back through it every return stroke of the splitting cylinder. And at 3000 psi it was a measly 19 tons. The chasis seemed unfinished, lacking protection or functional storage or accesories. The I beam only has 7/16s flanges and no gussets or boxed supports and i felt if i was increasing the tonnage i had to reinforce them to accommodate my plans for a 6 way wedge and a larger cylinder. It also was mounted on a solid axle with no suspension, or fenders and nothing was painted. It didnt have electric start and had no additional wedges to go with it, there were also several broken welds and shotty material choices made by someone grabbing whatever happened to be in their scrap pile.. And i stopped it with some white oak rounds day one. I knew then i had to put it under the knife.. i will update the finished pictures either tomorrow or saterday once paint drys and i assemble, but shes just about done!! Here is the before pictures as a teaser.. As you can see, seemingly, unfinished.
To start, the good...ish, i purchased this splitter for $5k with a new honda GX390, and new 22gpm US made 2 stage hydraulic pump.
It had an 8 second cycle time, on a 4 inch cylinder, 25 gallon hydraulic tank, 4 way hydraulic adjustable wedge, prince auto cycle valve and a log lift. And all 3/4 work lines with 1.25 suction and 1 inch return. All things i was looking for, and for the price i figured i couldnt build one for that.. and well, i was KIND OF right.
Lets just say they took some, "shortcuts" that i was NOT going to leave or overlook..
For starters the surplus center 4 inch cylinder with 1/2 inch ports was anemic, leaking and vastly undersized and causing alot of restriction, so that had to go.. It had a 16gpm hydraulic filter on the return which was constantly on the relief since the pump is 22gpm and i figure almost 50gpm hammered back through it every return stroke of the splitting cylinder. And at 3000 psi it was a measly 19 tons. The chasis seemed unfinished, lacking protection or functional storage or accesories. The I beam only has 7/16s flanges and no gussets or boxed supports and i felt if i was increasing the tonnage i had to reinforce them to accommodate my plans for a 6 way wedge and a larger cylinder. It also was mounted on a solid axle with no suspension, or fenders and nothing was painted. It didnt have electric start and had no additional wedges to go with it, there were also several broken welds and shotty material choices made by someone grabbing whatever happened to be in their scrap pile.. And i stopped it with some white oak rounds day one. I knew then i had to put it under the knife.. i will update the finished pictures either tomorrow or saterday once paint drys and i assemble, but shes just about done!! Here is the before pictures as a teaser.. As you can see, seemingly, unfinished.
I also increased my return Hose ID post filter and it dropped my cold oil return flow by almost 15 PSI!! I guess two 1 inch 90s back to back caused alot of restrictions post filter compared to the 1.5 inch ID hose and 90°s back to the tank.
