I guess my thoughts are why leave the splitter connected to the hitch during splitting? Put the axle somewhere close to the balance point, make the tongue weight (at the wedge) around 30-50 lbs so you can pick it up and roll it around with one hand. Mounting the axle under the middle-to-rear of the cylinder (well out of the way of the operator), and mounting the engine and tank on the rear(ish) side of the axle to create the desired balance/tongue weight. By using the axle as the mounting surface for engine and tank it reduces the amount of material needed and total weight of the machine. Use a single support leg under the wedge and a short tongue, maybe 10-inches long… nothing in the way as you work. Cut the beam off near flush with the wedge and cylinder to further reduce weight and length… You can still have your work tables, but I wouldn’t think they need that heavy beam and axle for support.
But hey… whatever floats your boat. I’m probably spoiled ‘cause my splitter weighs less than 200 lbs and my three-year-old can lift the beam and roll it around the shop. Personally, after using it vs. several other splitters over the years, I’d put a premium on reduced weight and increased mobility first… everything else would play second fiddle. I don't even pile my rounds, I just leave them lay where they fall and roll the splitter along (by hand... one hand) as I work... tossing the splits in the trailer as I work... that way I only have to handle the full rounds one single time. But, I do split at the cutting site, which is why a feller puts wheels and a trailer tongue on the splitter in the first place... correct?
Just my thoughts... nothing more.
