homemade log splitter advice needed

[flatyre]

Hey folks I have a 240v Thor 6 ton vertical log splitter which is decent enough but struggles with bigger knotty stuff. It also requires trailering as its quite big and the oil runs out when laid flat in the back of the van. I need something bigger that can be used at the yard but also have customers who ask me to fell and process wood on site. Am thinking of making my own horizontal splitter, I have an old tow behind salter which I don't need so was going to use it as the chassis as its in good condition and road legal. Can get a two way hydraulic ram easily enough along with a pump etc. Couple of questions though, would a 25 ton ram be adequate, can it be run off 12v, or would it require a separate petrol engine and if so what hp engine is required? much appreciated

[briquette_seller]

I think its flow fit who sells log splitter kits, ram, valve engine etc.

 

Worth a look for ideas

[Gary24]

Yeah flowfit sell kits and they are good i know a couple people used em

[cornish wood burner]

Definitely go petrol. 12v would take too much current to get any decent power/ speed. You would need a truck full of batteries.

[Gmorgan]

My home made splitter has a 9hp honda gx engine with an 11gpm pump, the ram is an 80mm cylinder with a 50mm rod and works out about 16 tons at full engine revs, splits all but the biggest knottiest lumps with ease, but will split the horrible bits just takes a bit longer! i used flowfit for the spool valve, pump, bell housing and drive coupling, then used a local hydraulics firm to make all the hoses e.t.c. i don't feel like i would need any more power than this has to be honest, it has an 800mm stroke on the ram and will happily split lengths into billets all day long.

[flatyre]

My home made splitter has a 9hp honda gx engine with an 11gpm pump, the ram is an 80mm cylinder with a 50mm rod and works out about 16 tons at full engine revs, splits all but the biggest knottiest lumps with ease, but will split the horrible bits just takes a bit longer! i used flowfit for the spool valve, pump, bell housing and drive coupling, then used a local hydraulics firm to make all the hoses e.t.c. i don't feel like i would need any more power than this has to be honest, it has an 800mm stroke on the ram and will happily split lengths into billets all day long.

 

you wouldn't mind posting up a few pics of your setup?

[Gmorgan]

you wouldn't mind posting up a few pics of your setup?

 

I was asked by someone else a while ago to post some pics and never got round to it, so hopefully 2 birds with 1 stone here....

 

it still needs a colour change, most likely bronze green with a yellow or orange ram, valve block and splitting wedge. I said i would keep it red oxide this year as a trial incase i wanted to modify it at all.

 

it can be used horizontal or vertical by removing the cat 1 link arm in photo 4, i've also changed the filler/breather cap for an extended neck version as it used to spill a drop or 2 when towing.

 

Another thing i have recently done but yet to fit is 3 spikes i've turned on the lathe to weld to the base plate to stop odd shaped logs slipping.

 

 

 

 

 

[flatyre]

That's a professional looking machine, well planned and well engineered:thumbup: most of the self made splitters push the logs against the cutting head, why did you opt for pushing the cutting head into the wood? also I was concerned about friction between the moving part (cutting head guide) and the beam, how much clearance did you allow and is friction a problem? Thanks for the pics, a great machine!

[Gmorgan]

Thanks! I opted for it to run that way so i can turn the splitter vertical, allowing a plate for larger rings to sit on and be split if needed, I don't often use it vertically though! as for clearance I think the flange of the beam is 11.5mm and the spacer between the top slide and bottom plates is 12mm. I don't have any trouble with friction at all, I have fitted a grease fitting on the back of the top slide and underneath on both sides to help it glide.

[flatyre]

would you say then it isn't worth the extra work to make a machine that can split bigger rings? I'm a fan of the "simple is best" way of thinking, but would hate to put time and materials into a machine only to find it can't do all that required of it. Can your machine still split larger rings in the horizontal position?