Splitter modifications

Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

tg_weaver

ArboristSite Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
90
Reaction score
23
Location
US
Has any one ever modified the splitting end on a Splitter?


Was looking for ideas on how to make the splitter more efficient. Like anything in fire wood is efficient [emoji23]

Let me know if you have any ideas.

Running an older tractor supply splitter with a newer electric start engine...best to grade ever
23f94c8c94c1c10c23e3fee14cbd7807.jpg
6346af86186cd18c244ce061e9580abe.jpg


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
I found the factory four-way wedge to short front to back. Large pieces that needed resplit would fall on the outfeed table, where they needed to be lifted and placed on the beam or horizontal log lift. Often the split round would fall on the ground on both sides of the splitter. Big pieces that fell on the ground then had to be split by hand or rolled around to the log lift side.
IMG_1385.jpg
I had a shop add several inches to the rear of the four-way, turning it into a shelf. No more lifting. Use a pup hook (orange, on top of round in last photo) to pull resplits back to the beam and log lift.
IMG_1466.jpgIMG_1522.jpg
 
My Speeco. Changed from wedge on cylinder to wedge on beam. I split onto a conveyor so this cut down a pile of handling for me. Also made the wedge much taller so I can stack and split 2 smaller rounds at the same time.
View attachment 595953 View attachment 595954 View attachment 595955 View attachment 595956 View attachment 595957
Could you put some wings on that and cut more at once? Great looking set up though
I like the side tables. How did you attach them

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
I found the factory four-way wedge to short front to back. Large pieces that needed resplit would fall on the outfeed table, where they needed to be lifted and placed on the beam or horizontal log lift. Often the split round would fall on the ground on both sides of the splitter. Big pieces that fell on the ground then had to be split by hand or rolled around to the log lift side.
View attachment 595974
I had a shop add several inches to the rear of the four-way, turning it into a shelf. No more lifting. Use a pup hook (orange, on top of round in last photo) to pull resplits back to the beam and log lift.
View attachment 595975View attachment 595976
Wow nice mod to the "wing" splitter. Like that idea.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
I wonder if I could use like a plate to push the wood into a taller wedge that had like 2 sets of "wings" say first one at 6 inches the next set at 12 inches and the wedge like 18 inches tall. With some side tables and an out feed table.....then I would be cooking with peanut oil.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
A bench can be built to fit around most splitter.
Maybe a little easier with a wedge on beam design, and the table here is twice the length of the splitter capacity to catch the split pieces on the opposite side.
This splitter was also raised up to a more comfortable height by adding an axle and 15"wheels, and much better for towing.
A detent valve was added.
A tongue extension.
And 'stroke reducing collars' on the rod were used to limit return stroke to 18". They have a spring steel clip and are easily removed when necessary.1006101220.jpg 1006101224.jpg 1006101222.jpg 0502111752.jpg IMG_0502.jpg 0330121823.jpg 0330121823a.jpg
 
A bench can be built to fit around most splitter.
Maybe a little easier with a wedge on beam design, and the table here is twice the length of the splitter capacity to catch the split pieces on the opposite side.
This splitter was also raised up to a more comfortable height by adding an axle and 15"wheels, and much better for towing.
A detent valve was added.
A tongue extension.
And 'stroke reducing collars' on the rod were used to limit return stroke to 18". They have a spring steel clip and are easily removed when necessary.View attachment 596031 View attachment 596032 View attachment 596034 View attachment 596035 View attachment 596039 View attachment 596062 View attachment 596063
Where did you get those travel limiters from?
 
Replace the steel hydraulic line that goes to the front of the cylinder (has several bends in it ) and inside diameter is to small for a good return stroke



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Has anyone changed the manual hydro. To semi. So I could pull the handle and the ram would go down and once it hits the end it would auto return


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
Where did you get those travel limiters from?
I got mine from TSC, Tractor Supply Co., but they had to special order for the size rod I had. Took forever. I would suggest googling hydraulic rod stroke limiters. Or check tractor dealers.

There is a guy on YouTube that said he broke the end of the cylinder rod using them. Something about the end mount. Timber wolf splitter too if I remember right. I never had an issue other than shearing a bolt from wear where the push plate connected. Replaced it once a year with another soft bolt. Used stroke reducers for many years. Sold the splitter two years ago, and they went with it. I see the guy every few months. Still using it.
 

Attachments

  • 0330121823.jpg
    0330121823.jpg
    321.9 KB · Views: 15
I got mine from TSC, Tractor Supply Co., but they had to special order for the size rod I had. Took forever. I would suggest googling hydraulic rod stroke limiters. Or check tractor dealers.

There is a guy on YouTube that said he broke the end of the cylinder rod using them. Something about the end mount. Timber wolf splitter too if I remember right. I never had an issue other than shearing a bolt from wear where the push plate connected. Replaced it once a year with another soft bolt. Used stroke reducers for many years. Sold the splitter two years ago, and they went with it. I see the guy every few months. Still using it.
Oh I'm not looking for stroke limiters I'm looking to pull the handle and have it go all by itself and the auto return.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
tg_weaver, you are describing an Auto cycle vale. Work great but a pricy little up grade. Lots of guys have s=added rods and springs to their standard splitter valve and kind of got the same results.
As for my Speeco I welded the table extensions on. I could easily have added wings to it to make it a 4 way but it takes a lot of power to spit 4 ways and then when you get into a tough piece you might not be able to split it. I seldom use my Speeco anymore. I made another mod to it and ended up with this, splits up to 36" rounds.
IMG_20170808_181328.jpg
 
Is that really a VW engine hanging off the back, like 36 hp?

Sure it is. 1600cc, would be 57hp if it were running full song. I have it running at 2200rpm. I am guessing somewhere around 40hp. When I first built it, it was back there running at 2500rpm and when it hit anything much at all it would bog down. I found a aftermarket governor that will squeeze the throttle wide open to keep the rpms at whatever it is set for. The governor made all the difference in the world. I have found 2200rpm works well, 10 sec cycle time, and enough power to pinch your finger if you get it caught in there. The spool valve pressure relief valve is set at 3000psi to keep things in check. When I was building the splitter, I had the VW engine setting under the work bench. A man uses what he has to work with.Splitter Feb 2014 (15).JPG
 
Sure it is. 1600cc, would be 57hp if it were running full song. I have it running at 2200rpm. I am guessing somewhere around 40hp. When I first built it, it was back there running at 2500rpm and when it hit anything much at all it would bog down. I found a aftermarket governor that will squeeze the throttle wide open to keep the rpms at whatever it is set for. The governor made all the difference in the world. I have found 2200rpm works well, 10 sec cycle time, and enough power to pinch your finger if you get it caught in there. The spool valve pressure relief valve is set at 3000psi to keep things in check. When I was building the splitter, I had the VW engine setting under the work bench. A man uses what he has to work with.View attachment 596373

I love the sound of a finely tuned VW engine :) Nice work!
 
Back
Top