Brad Burnette
Muzzy17is
Project log splitter
By Brad Burnette 2/14/2018
My reasoning behind this venture remains a mystery even to me, but we’ll try. Approximately four years ago I was searching youtube and came across a post for “homemade firewood processor”. My attention was had. I watched several videos on these things and became more interested as after each video I watched. I then got to thinking “That might not be a bad little side gig to get going.” I continued to watch the different videos and gather all the info I could and after about four years of thinking about it I decided to do it.
I was talking with a couple of guys about building a splitter and they both said that they thought it would be a good idea. Living in Fl one might be a little hesitant to take on such a venture of splitting firewood, but with all of outside fire pit stuff going on now-a-days firewood is a lot bigger business than one may think. Anyhow the decision was made and I started my build.
I have always been good at scrounging up things that other people may have a hard time finding for the simple fact that I know where to look and know how to network and get other people to look out for me as well. Well, it was Monday morning, my first day off work and first chance to start this craziness. I woke up with the high horse attitude, waited on the bug man, and as soon as he was done spraying I jumped in my truck to head to the local scrap yard to begin scrounging for parts and low and behold there she sat, a hunk of steel that had been neglected and was in need of a new owner. It was screaming my name and then my jaw dropped, I had missed out. On the side of this beauty was marked SOLD in big bright green letters. Oh well I was there so I figured I’d make my rounds. I went up to the weight area and talked to the lady in charge. I’ve gotten to know her over the years and am on a first name basis with her so I always make it a point to chat with her for a few minutes every time I’m there. She looked at me and said, “What’s up buddy?” I nodded back and said:” I’m looking for a project”. She asked me what kind of project I was looking for and I said jokingly:” I liked the looks of that log splitter out there till’ I saw it marked sold.” She looked at me and said: “ that ain’t sold do you want it?” I asked her how much and she said $90.00. I then went and gave it a good looking over and I then became the owner of the rusty old splitter that kicked this sickness in gear.
Ain’t she perty! Now the fun begins!
After I got the splitter home I started doing my research. I went back and forth on pump size, motor size and what not and here is where I’m at. I looked at different used motors on craigslist and when you would ask the people if they run they’ll say something like “it runs good just need the carb cleaned and she’ll crank right up” or “it ran good before I put it in the shed.” After a bunch of this non-sense I decided to buy me a 6.5 Predator from Harbor Freight for $99. I then got me an 11 gpm 2 stage hydraulic pump and a 24 gpm valve with auto return detent from Rugged Made. Total with shipping ran me $223.18.
I have a 15 gallon stainless steel tank that I’m going to use for my Hydraulic oil. I acquired a larger hydraulic ram that I was told came off of a garbage truck that gave me plenty of splitting force and scrounged scrap metal from the scrap yard or other places to complete the build.
On 3/17/2018 I got the new hydraulic ram tentatively mounted in place, the new push plate in place and started to modify the splitting wedge.
The ram is now mounted, motor is in place with pump and valve in place as well.
On 4/30/2018 I decided to order the tank for my hydraulic oil in pic below. The other tank tank I had I thought it was a 15 gallon turned out to be a 25 gall which was way to big and would have taken a lot of oil. I think this one will do me better…we’ll see. It’s a 10 gallon.
Over the last few days I finished up tightening up the loose ends and hooking up all my hoses. It is 98% complete. Today is 8/10/2018, last night I got the last of the parts needed to hook up my return filter. I’m gonna bust my butt on this thing Monday and hopefully if works like it’s supposed to I’ll be splitting wood on Monday and Tuesday.
It is Tuesday August 14, 20018. The splitter is finished. A couple of tweeks and I’ll be off and running. She’s doing alright though. Still have a little mods to do on the wedge. Here’s a little video of the completed project.
By Brad Burnette 2/14/2018
My reasoning behind this venture remains a mystery even to me, but we’ll try. Approximately four years ago I was searching youtube and came across a post for “homemade firewood processor”. My attention was had. I watched several videos on these things and became more interested as after each video I watched. I then got to thinking “That might not be a bad little side gig to get going.” I continued to watch the different videos and gather all the info I could and after about four years of thinking about it I decided to do it.
I was talking with a couple of guys about building a splitter and they both said that they thought it would be a good idea. Living in Fl one might be a little hesitant to take on such a venture of splitting firewood, but with all of outside fire pit stuff going on now-a-days firewood is a lot bigger business than one may think. Anyhow the decision was made and I started my build.
I have always been good at scrounging up things that other people may have a hard time finding for the simple fact that I know where to look and know how to network and get other people to look out for me as well. Well, it was Monday morning, my first day off work and first chance to start this craziness. I woke up with the high horse attitude, waited on the bug man, and as soon as he was done spraying I jumped in my truck to head to the local scrap yard to begin scrounging for parts and low and behold there she sat, a hunk of steel that had been neglected and was in need of a new owner. It was screaming my name and then my jaw dropped, I had missed out. On the side of this beauty was marked SOLD in big bright green letters. Oh well I was there so I figured I’d make my rounds. I went up to the weight area and talked to the lady in charge. I’ve gotten to know her over the years and am on a first name basis with her so I always make it a point to chat with her for a few minutes every time I’m there. She looked at me and said, “What’s up buddy?” I nodded back and said:” I’m looking for a project”. She asked me what kind of project I was looking for and I said jokingly:” I liked the looks of that log splitter out there till’ I saw it marked sold.” She looked at me and said: “ that ain’t sold do you want it?” I asked her how much and she said $90.00. I then went and gave it a good looking over and I then became the owner of the rusty old splitter that kicked this sickness in gear.
Ain’t she perty! Now the fun begins!
After I got the splitter home I started doing my research. I went back and forth on pump size, motor size and what not and here is where I’m at. I looked at different used motors on craigslist and when you would ask the people if they run they’ll say something like “it runs good just need the carb cleaned and she’ll crank right up” or “it ran good before I put it in the shed.” After a bunch of this non-sense I decided to buy me a 6.5 Predator from Harbor Freight for $99. I then got me an 11 gpm 2 stage hydraulic pump and a 24 gpm valve with auto return detent from Rugged Made. Total with shipping ran me $223.18.
I have a 15 gallon stainless steel tank that I’m going to use for my Hydraulic oil. I acquired a larger hydraulic ram that I was told came off of a garbage truck that gave me plenty of splitting force and scrounged scrap metal from the scrap yard or other places to complete the build.
On 3/17/2018 I got the new hydraulic ram tentatively mounted in place, the new push plate in place and started to modify the splitting wedge.
The ram is now mounted, motor is in place with pump and valve in place as well.
On 4/30/2018 I decided to order the tank for my hydraulic oil in pic below. The other tank tank I had I thought it was a 15 gallon turned out to be a 25 gall which was way to big and would have taken a lot of oil. I think this one will do me better…we’ll see. It’s a 10 gallon.
Over the last few days I finished up tightening up the loose ends and hooking up all my hoses. It is 98% complete. Today is 8/10/2018, last night I got the last of the parts needed to hook up my return filter. I’m gonna bust my butt on this thing Monday and hopefully if works like it’s supposed to I’ll be splitting wood on Monday and Tuesday.
It is Tuesday August 14, 20018. The splitter is finished. A couple of tweeks and I’ll be off and running. She’s doing alright though. Still have a little mods to do on the wedge. Here’s a little video of the completed project.
Anyway something to consider looking into. 
