splitter engine size question

[mga]

i mounted a briggs twin cylinder 18hp vertical shaft engine to a 11/22 gpm pump. i also have a briggs 12hp engine (vertical shaft) that i could have used as well.

will i gain any noticable difference using the 18 hp engine or could i have used the 12hp engine with the same results? i've been reading here that many of you have smaller engines and get good results with them. by using the 18hp, is that over kill?

i read in another forum where some guy used a wisconsin 27hp engine on his home made splitter. i happen to have one sitting in the back yard, but that certainly would have been way too large.

 

[farmboy9]

motor size

Hi, MGA,

that is a fun question.

Last season I built a 13HP log splitter with a Haldex Barnes two stage 22gpm pump (I imagine the same one as you are using). I am not an engineer. Chase my user name, you can find pictures of my splitter.

In my opinion, but based on direct experience and the use of an in-line pressure gauge, if you want better than 2,500 psi in your system using that pump, you will need better than 12hp driving it. If you are content with 2500 or less then the 12 Hp will be fine. I say this because my Honda 13Hp never struggles to give me 2450 psi, I should say there was at least one spare horse there even at "a comfortable RPM" (ie, not screaming flat out) and a bit of pressure to spare. How a 12 HP Briggs compares torque wise ( and HP wise; there are ratings and ratings, I am sure) with a 13 HP honda knock-off (I am saving for a real one), I wouldn't know but I would be surprised if it was the Briggs that was over-rated. My opinion is based on listening, watching and splitting wood.

Incidentally, with a 3.5" cylinder, 2450 psi suits me fine and doesn't risk the slide/beam/hose fittings and I can split all the wood I set on it with so few exception "they ain't worth the spit I'd waste in talking about em". I think I have 10 tons at the ram. God knows why people need 35 tons and god knows how they find the patience to stand there long enough for those big cylinders to work. And I split blue gum. I get bored with a seven second cycle time. Of course I can run it a 3000 psi if I want to, but I don't.

Those are three good motors. It's a "I am going out with a red-head but there is a brunette at the door and a blonde on the phone" kind of problem, isn't it? Anyway, good luck. If you do change, let us know how it works out.

 

[mga]

i have my mount designed for the 18hp so it looks like it's going to stay on until.......

i would have liked to use the 12hp, but i figured what the heck...i got it...i might as well use it.

i just wasn't sure if using the 18hp was just a waste of time or not. thanks for the feed back.

 

[turnkey4099]

i have my mount designed for the 18hp so it looks like it's going to stay on until.......

i would have liked to use the 12hp, but i figured what the heck...i got it...i might as well use it.

i just wasn't sure if using the 18hp was just a waste of time or not. thanks for the feed back.

You won't be losing anything by using the 18 other than a bit more fuel useage. The 18 will be loafing along where the 12 might be working is about the only difference.

My splitter is running a Briggs 5hp 6x1 reduction/15gpm single stage pump feeding a 3 1/2" cylinder. Yep, slow but with a non-centering valve it gives me just enough time to get the next block in position to feed it as the prior cycle is finishing so I really don't lose that much time-wise.

Harry K