chaddemler1980
ArboristSite Lurker
Got tired of the lame log splitters out there within the budget and wasn't gonna spend huge money. Like most I use my firewood to heat my shop up here in the cold wisconsin winters. I've rented a few larger splitters found all had there drawbacks but mostly only being able to split very large diameter rounds one split at a time... those suckered are heavy to move around to get into position. And yes I've used big name brands box wedge types and those SUCK too with 4' diameter oak trunks.
So I've set off on the following.... requesting recommendations below.
Setup
Two 18" I beams on edge 5/8" thick
1/2" thick deck plate 28" wide 36" long
8" diameter x 36" long 3,000psi cylinder
I have not decided on the gpm or brand of pump yet.. any suggestions? Go with a cheap 28gpm $250 ebay special? Opt for something better quality?
Have not chosen an engine but I have a couple rebuilt ones available....Hondas under 23hp and a cool rebuilt honda 13hp water cooled unit I had rebuilt for an old mower that's now gone.
I don't care too much about the speed as this splitter will somewhat of a box type wedge and split with 1 push.... upto 4' diameter and have 2 rows of 1/2" thick steel wedges and a top shear wedge.
Anyone think the 8" cylinder won't be able to split up to 18 pieces of firewood at the same time? Yes the 2 rows of wedges will be offset by appx 1 inch so only 9pieces of firewood would make initial contact at a time.
2 large uprights are being cut by a machine shop for the main uprights holding the wedges to the beam.. 3/4" thick x 8" wide x 30" tall. Rest of the wedges and top shear deck vary from 1/2"-5/8" and all are 6" wide.
So I've set off on the following.... requesting recommendations below.
Setup
Two 18" I beams on edge 5/8" thick
1/2" thick deck plate 28" wide 36" long
8" diameter x 36" long 3,000psi cylinder
I have not decided on the gpm or brand of pump yet.. any suggestions? Go with a cheap 28gpm $250 ebay special? Opt for something better quality?
Have not chosen an engine but I have a couple rebuilt ones available....Hondas under 23hp and a cool rebuilt honda 13hp water cooled unit I had rebuilt for an old mower that's now gone.
I don't care too much about the speed as this splitter will somewhat of a box type wedge and split with 1 push.... upto 4' diameter and have 2 rows of 1/2" thick steel wedges and a top shear wedge.
Anyone think the 8" cylinder won't be able to split up to 18 pieces of firewood at the same time? Yes the 2 rows of wedges will be offset by appx 1 inch so only 9pieces of firewood would make initial contact at a time.
2 large uprights are being cut by a machine shop for the main uprights holding the wedges to the beam.. 3/4" thick x 8" wide x 30" tall. Rest of the wedges and top shear deck vary from 1/2"-5/8" and all are 6" wide.