Bill Jones
ArboristSite Lurker
I have a few questions concerning building a log splitter for home use. I have used the units from Lowe’s, Northern Tool, and a few homemade ones. I currently use a bushhog brand on the back of the tractor, but do not really like using it. With that said, I have decided to fabricate my own engine powered log splitter with help from my brother.
I have a pretty good start on the parts. I found a guy who started to build one a few years ago and gave up on it due to health reasons. He had a 28 gpm Haldex pump, a 5 ½” bore cylinder with a 3” rod and 32” stroke, the valves, 30 gallon tank, etc. He said he was going to build a “showcase” splitter as he called it. Also included in the deal was a W10 x 54 beam and a snazzy trailer with chrome wheels to build it one.
My main questions are in regard to the cylinder and knife. I have observed a lot of splitters that have a fixed knife, and equally as many that have the knife attached to the hydraulic ram. Is there really an advantage to either position assuming that I will never split vertically?
The next question is to which end of the machine should one split? Most of the ones I have used from the usual companies push the wood away from the trailer hitch. All of the homebuilt ones around here seem to push the wood towards the trailer hitch. It seems to me that if you push the wood towards the hitch that is going to be more trouble backing it into the woodpile. Is one preferable to the other?
I appreciate any thoughts you may have. I want to try to think through everything first, so that I can build this once and not have to re-work it when I should be splitting wood.
Thanks,
Bill
I have a pretty good start on the parts. I found a guy who started to build one a few years ago and gave up on it due to health reasons. He had a 28 gpm Haldex pump, a 5 ½” bore cylinder with a 3” rod and 32” stroke, the valves, 30 gallon tank, etc. He said he was going to build a “showcase” splitter as he called it. Also included in the deal was a W10 x 54 beam and a snazzy trailer with chrome wheels to build it one.
My main questions are in regard to the cylinder and knife. I have observed a lot of splitters that have a fixed knife, and equally as many that have the knife attached to the hydraulic ram. Is there really an advantage to either position assuming that I will never split vertically?
The next question is to which end of the machine should one split? Most of the ones I have used from the usual companies push the wood away from the trailer hitch. All of the homebuilt ones around here seem to push the wood towards the trailer hitch. It seems to me that if you push the wood towards the hitch that is going to be more trouble backing it into the woodpile. Is one preferable to the other?
I appreciate any thoughts you may have. I want to try to think through everything first, so that I can build this once and not have to re-work it when I should be splitting wood.
Thanks,
Bill