Log Splitter - sensible cycle time

[arboriculturist]

Have the dimensions of the splitter ram to hand when you call, they will be able to match the pump better:thumbup1:

 

Sure.

[Tom D]

All to often home made splitters use a massive bore ram to achieve maximum splitting force, forgetting that this huge ram needs a lot of oil to fill it and therefore will be painfully slow or require an expensive pump.

 

Better to use a smaller ram and have less force but more speed.

 

FWIW I have a fuelwood splitter which has a 2 speed pump, 8ton (fast) and 16 ton (slow), it will split the vast majority of stuff at 8 ton and the return is always fast so you are quickly positioned for the next split.

 

Production rates will always be higher with a fast small splitter than a massive slow one, and its production rates that count at the end of the day.

[arboriculturist]

All to often home made splitters use a massive bore ram to achieve maximum splitting force, forgetting that this huge ram needs a lot of oil to fill it and therefore will be painfully slow or require an expensive pump.

 

Better to use a smaller ram and have less force but more speed.

 

FWIW I have a fuelwood splitter which has a 2 speed pump, 8ton (fast) and 16 ton (slow), it will split the vast majority of stuff at 8 ton and the return is always fast so you are quickly positioned for the next split.

 

Production rates will always be higher with a fast small splitter than a massive slow one, and its production rates that count at the end of the day.

 

Nice feedback thanks - looking at 16 tonne ram with 2 STAGE PTO pump - Rarely split longer than 12" rings but annoying if odd logs 13" so going for 16" stroke. How does that all sound?

[Tom D]

If you buy a decent one like a posch, thor or fuelwood you will be fine, Building your own seems like a good idea but a purpose made one will work better and make you more money in the long run. Also user friendly features like an adjustable return will be standard, so if you only split 8" logs you can set the return at 10" and you don't waste time waiting for the ram to do a full cycle.

[arboriculturist]

If you buy a decent one like a posch, thor or fuelwood you will be fine, Building your own seems like a good idea but a purpose made one will work better and make you more money in the long run. Also user friendly features like an adjustable return will be standard, so if you only split 8" logs you can set the return at 10" and you don't waste time waiting for the ram to do a full cycle.

 

Hmm, I agree - generally this is the case, but if like you with plenty of experience on your side its not an issue building in adjustable return, table size to aid productivity, speed control and address the areas that could be improved on having used multiple splitters in your time. (that said - cant beat a Posch for build quality and refinement)

[openspaceman]

This is a 2 stage pump

 

It delivers high volume at low pressure until is encounters resistance p, at which point it swaps to high pressure low(er) volume

 

It makes the ram move as quicker until it touches the timber then slower but with more force

 

Hydraulic Gear Pumps Two Stage Hi-Lo Gear Pumps

 

Run it on a bog standard open centre valve

 

Thanks for the info. Is a PTO version available with a through shaft and male output shaft do you know?

 

Interesting little pumps but more for high revving little engines as they stand 3600rpm.

 

Most 2p series pumps which fit on the (typically) 1:3 step up PTO gearboxes are only good for 3000 rpm ( it's worth bearing in mind they need to run at over 1000rpm as they depend on some iternal pressure to maintain the sealing aluminium bushes in relation to the gear faces).

 

Also note the outputs for these two speed pumps quoted is the combined high flow at lower pressure.

 

You can do a similar speed up with a simple single gear pumped open circuit system with a pressure sensed regeneration valve. In fact as I said with a bit of care selecting components you can have 4 speeds on the push stroke and one return speed.

 

In practice knotty stuff slows you down and often produces a log the customer does not like.

 

Never having been able to afford the luxury I suspect a simple sorting table, loaded by a front loader, and a couple of people picking onto either a vertical splitter or a crosscut and split processor processor , with a man and saw cutting awkward bits to length for the splitter would smooth out the flow but how many firewood operations have the luxury of 3 workers?

[arboriculturist]

Interesting little pumps but more for high revving little engines as they stand 3600rpm.

 

Most 2p series pumps which fit on the (typically) 1:3 step up PTO gearboxes are only good for 3000 rpm ( it's worth bearing in mind they need to run at over 1000rpm as they depend on some iternal pressure to maintain the sealing aluminium bushes in relation to the gear faces).

 

Also note the outputs for these two speed pumps quoted is the combined high flow at lower pressure.

 

You can do a similar speed up with a simple single gear pumped open circuit system with a pressure sensed regeneration valve. In fact as I said with a bit of care selecting components you can have 4 speeds on the push stroke and one return speed.

 

In practice knotty stuff slows you down and often produces a log the customer does not like.

 

Never having been able to afford the luxury I suspect a simple sorting table, loaded by a front loader, and a couple of people picking onto either a vertical splitter or a crosscut and split processor processor , with a man and saw cutting awkward bits to length for the splitter would smooth out the flow but how many firewood operations have the luxury of 3 workers?

 

Agreed - efficient processing is all about grading the product.

[openspaceman]

 

You can do a similar speed up with a simple single gear pumped open circuit system with a pressure sensed regeneration valve. In fact as I said with a bit of care selecting components you can have 4 speeds on the push stroke and one return speed.

 

 

Erratum I meant 3 speeds on push and 1 on return.

[santacruz]

Speak to flowfit, they will send it to you on the PTO gearbox of your choice

 

I agree speak to an expert it will save you a lot of time. Not sure about flowfit have used them a number of times and have had service and advice ranging from brilliant to rubish. I think it depends on who answers the phone.

 

From my experience I have found tractor hydraulics a bit variable. Sometimes you get 3000psi and on some as low as 2000psi. I would pressure test your hydraulics first before deciding on your ram as a ram rated at 16t will be 16t at 3000psi/200bar.

 

I feel its worth considering a petrol power pack for a splitter as a tractor is a very expensive machine requiring a lot of maintenance just for powering a log splitter. The engine doesnt like sitting a tick over, it is also turning the transmission as well as the pump. A 9hp engine pump and tank is nearly maintenance free, just change 1l of engine oil every 100hrs. I feel they are cheaper on fuel as well, and are easier to turn on and off when needed.

[arboriculturist]

I agree speak to an expert it will save you a lot of time. Not sure about flowfit have used them a number of times and have had service and advice ranging from brilliant to rubish. I think it depends on who answers the phone.

 

From my experience I have found tractor hydraulics a bit variable. Sometimes you get 3000psi and on some as low as 2000psi. I would pressure test your hydraulics first before deciding on your ram as a ram rated at 16t will be 16t at 3000psi/200bar.

 

I feel its worth considering a petrol power pack for a splitter as a tractor is a very expensive machine requiring a lot of maintenance just for powering a log splitter. The engine doesnt like sitting a tick over, it is also turning the transmission as well as the pump. A 9hp engine pump and tank is nearly maintenance free, just change 1l of engine oil every 100hrs. I feel they are cheaper on fuel as well, and are easier to turn on and off when needed.

 

Yes, test the output l/min and psi of tractor 1st off. Many who own an old tractor will wish to use it, those that don't then as Trequip has said a powerpack, ideally diesel, is perfect.

I am friendly with a Ag. Contractor who runs his 11 tonne tractor splitter off his bale wrapper!. It puts out about 35l/min and the splitter cycle time is perfect. Tried it on a MF 35x and the cycle time was about 10 seconds to travel 6" down and 6" up - useless and that was at PTO speed.