Wood splitter woes

[Dieselb2487]

So i have been aquiring parts for wood splitter and my neighbor gave me a free ram tonight. Found out it has an 8 inch bore and 26 inch stroke. i know that this ram will have slow cycle times with the engine and pump combo that i wanted to use if i am trying to achieve 3000 psi as pump will be only moving 6.3 gpm in low stage. Have a 12hp engine and was gonna use a 22 gpm 2 stage pump. Ideally i wanted to use a 5 inch ram. Question is with this ram being so large according to the calculators at only 1200 psi i will generate around 30 real tons of force which is almost 1 ton more than the 5 inch ram at 3000 psi. Could i compromise and get a single stage pump so i will have an average higher flow and only set it at the 1200 psi? If my math is right that 12 hp engine will run that and cycle would only be about an average of 10 seconds slower on the larger ram. What does everyone think?

 

[beavis331]

There is no reason you can't go with a single stage pump and set your pressure relief at a lower pressure. Just keep in mind that 10 seconds is a long time when you are standing there waiting.

 

[Patrick62]

If you are correct about a 8 inch bore, the rod would be about 4 inch, and the cycle time even with a 22 gpm is going to be 27 seconds.
The blocks could sprout waiting to be split. Yes, it is that awful. No way to sugar coat the thing.

You are correct it would only take 1200 psi to achieve beam bending 30 tons of force! With a 8 way wedge, and really huge blocks then it might actually not be too bad... Bot of my splitters are running 5" cylinders at 2250 psi max, they can deliver 22 tons and split anything I have around here locally. The imported Mulberry actually stalled it out once....

You are moving 5 1/3 gallons of oil on the extend stroke! Yikes!!!

It would split anything you could find tho... Hardwoods, softwoods, bowling balls, engine blocks, etc.

 

[cantoo]

Don't do it, not worth the problems later. I am a hoarder and have 100's of projects lined up and parts for everything. Now that my splitter is close to being done the only regrets I have is the parts that I made due with because I had them. I bought a used steel beam, little smaller than I wanted but the price was really good. Had 2 30" cylinders and was going to use one of them, started welded everything up allowing for 30". After having the beam close to done I changed my mind and bought a new 36" cylinder, then cut/grinded brackets off to mount it. Did the same thing with valves and still messing with the aftermath. Either wait until you find the right stuff you want or spend the time doing something to make the extra money so you can buy that one part that will make the difference. Keep telling yourself, "this splitter is going to last years and years" might as well do it right.