Build a splitter made in the USA

[Rob1276]

After reading a little on the speedco thread and seeing some bad experiences with some other brands I got to thinking

Why not just build your own. It is of my opinion at least then you will know the workmanship is to your own liking
Before I got lucky and found a old splitter that was built here in the states with all American parts I contacted a local trash company who have their own hydraulic repair shop and is also open to the public they are well known and well experienced in their field
Anyways long story short I called them one day and said I want to build a splitter and I want it to be right at 30 ton splitter minus the motor and beam and wedge
I was priced all the parts hydraulic wise for right at $800
These was American made parts they won't buy china made parts if they can get American made parts even if they cost more they still cheaper in the long run

$1400 which is the cheapest splitter I have seen at TSC I know I can build one a lot cheaper and one that will hold up longer than anything they sell just my thoughts

 

[4seasons]

So for $800 you can buy the pump, cylinder, and valve. Does that include the hoses, tank, filter, and fittings? All of those are part of the hydraulic system as well. Most of the time it is the little parts that blow the budget on a splitter build. Now if you have figured those parts in as well have you priced a beam lately? And where are you going to find an American built engine to use on this thing? I think you would be pressed to get a good engine and beam for the $600 that you have left in that budget. But you still haven't welded anything yet. So if you have the welder you still have to consider the cost of welding wire/rod and are you saying your time isn't worth anything? So no labor cost, no welding cost, but you also haven't figured in cost of axle, hubs, wheels, tires, hitch, paint, etc...

Now let me clarify. I am not trying to convince you that you can't build a better splitter than you can buy or am I saying that it would not be worthwhile. I am only pointing out that for the cost of a low end splitter you can not buy better components and build one. Now if you already have some of the parts (beam, engine, axle) and you want to build a better splitter than you can buy, go for it. But don't think that for $800 you can buy everything you need to build a splitter.

 

[Rob1276]

Yes that includes pump and control valve and hoses I do disagree with your statement that I won't find better components to build one and maybe I should clarify I have access to most of the stuff ie beam axle etc so that I will give you

But I think you are missing my point or I haven't really explained it well I just think with the disintegration of main street America why not build one atleast you can say you supported your neighbor and not a communist country granted it almost impossible to buy all American anymore however it's the effort that counts

And if you really resourceful you can find most of the non hydraulic stuff anywhere. I just bought a new well old but new to me mower this morning with a eight horse kohler on it for $100 same motor I have on my splitter

Not trying to sound mean but you make it sound impossible it isn't

Below should be a pic of a splitter I have that was given to me heading to the scrap yard at some point when I got it no longer able to get parts for it so I will convert it over to hydraulic later on forgot to mention it belt driven

Point is scrounge around find what will work and do it not impossible to do

 

[4seasons]

I never said you can't get better components. And I agree that if you know what you are doing you can build a better splitter than you can buy. But many times I have seen threads where someone has a beam, or an engine, or a cylinder and think they can build a splitter for cheap. Then the real cost start showing up and the $1000 splitter at the big box store starts looking like a really good deal when they got the most expensive part for free and $1500 later they still don't have the thing working.

I also would like to see things being built in the U.S. but the Walmart mentality of the customer base in this country has priced its own products right out of the marketplace. I have lost a couple of jobs to China myself and would like to be able to find stuff that was actually made in America, not just boxed in America by Mexicans using Chinese parts.

My point is that price is not the reason to build your own splitter. Given the total cost for all the parts new, you simply cannot build it as cheap. But you can build exactly the way you want it. You can make it as fast, strong, overbuilt, and function just the way you like. Then when you have the finished product and it compares to $3000-$5000 professional quality splitters you can brag about only having $2500 in yours, but the only guys that built a splitter for $800 either built it in the 70's or already had half the stuff on hand to build it.

 

[Rob1276]

Well regardless if it did cost more to build one if I can support a local small business or buy American parts I will. And I think that really what I'm getting at here to be honest. I'm tired of seeing hard working Americans getting the shaft and yet I'm guilty too because it impossible to buy everything American anymore, but we all keep feeding the beast that is killing us

If you look you will see another post I just put up I bought a old jd 110 today it was made in Wisconsin by American workers with parts made here it old but it by far better than any Deere of its size built today

I think my post was just a rant really to be honest I'm just pissed we buy the Chinese crap and when it fails go and buy more junk and complain they used to be great and lasted years

I'm just tired of seeing our economy and our nation, jobs and main street America disappearing. All because it cheaper to make it overseas It just my own way of fighting back I guess

And you know I'm lucky I have a lot of resources to pull from not everyone does and you are right it not easy for everyone as it is me I guess

 

[Kevin in Ohio]

I will tell you right now. RUN, Don't walk to that place and buy the parts if they are willing to sell it at that price. I'm building my own right now and doing it because I want features not offered, not because of price.

A Prince Gladiator 5 inch 20 inch stroke cylinder goes for $575 You say 30 ton so you have to use a 5 inch to get that.

Prince Valves are $100 minimum.

American made hydraulic Fittiings seem like they are $20.00 each + Hose/ft price.

Used steel here goes for .80/lb

Axle, Tires, motor, hydraulic tank, filters and that's for a bare bones one. Log lifts, tables and 4 ways are more.

If you don't have discount sources/friends or have a lot of the parts already it would surprise the heck out of me if you could build it cheaper with NO labor cost considered. Let alone using Good USA made stuff. I Like USA made stuff too but the price thing just doesn't fall into place here.

Granted, I tend to overbuild everything but I see alot of homemades out there that are built barebones for cheap. Some break, some don't but owners rebuild and such. Factories have the advantage on some of the engineering to save steel costs while keeping the strength. You and I just have to wing it sometimes.

I'll have more in used steel, money wise, than the price they quoted you.

 

[lone wolf]

Well regardless if it did cost more to build one if I can support a local small business or buy American parts I will. And I think that really what I'm getting at here to be honest. I'm tired of seeing hard working Americans getting the shaft and yet I'm guilty too because it impossible to buy everything American anymore, but we all keep feeding the beast that is killing us

If you look you will see another post I just put up I bought a old jd 110 today it was made in Wisconsin by American workers with parts made here it old but it by far better than any Deere of its size built today

I think my post was just a rant really to be honest I'm just pissed we buy the Chinese crap and when it fails go and buy more junk and complain they used to be great and lasted years

I'm just tired of seeing our economy and our nation, jobs and main street America disappearing. All because it cheaper to make it overseas It just my own way of fighting back I guess

And you know I'm lucky I have a lot of resources to pull from not everyone does and you are right it not easy for everyone as it is me I guess

Why I see the makings of a good idea here .Start building them and selling them!

 

[Rob1276]

I have no interest in building and selling them I can barely keep up with the projects I have now. My point is people whine and ##### about quality and life expectancy of products and say it cheaper yes it is in short term but after long term I bet not. Hence the post I seen this morning a speedco splitter brand new already in the shop after three rounds what will be the cost in the long run after several more trips to get it repaired then warranty runs out then it's all on you a couple engines later I'm not building one to sell or be pretty I want it to function and last again if you resourceful enough you can do it I seen one the other day didn't have my phone to take a pic the axle was a old granted larger lawn mower axle the tank was a old air tank converted the guy scrounged the stuff he needed and it performs great not pretty but works. If you want to spend the money to make your own and make it look factory produced then yeah I guess you would sink a fortune into it but hey I'm not in it to win awards I'm just trying to promote keeping our business here not in china or Mexico

 

[Rob1276]

Guess I have to build one to prove my point and keep all receipts and go through a review board to get anyone to believe it

 

[lone wolf]

View attachment 221754 Here is my old heavy duty 30 ton with 4 way maybe the pic will help you out.

 

[Rob1276]

View attachment 221754 Here is my old heavy duty 30 ton with 4 way maybe the pic will help you out.

How well does that 4 way work I've been thinking of adding one on mine just haven't put much effort into it yet I'm gonna modify mine anyways it sits to low for my liking Here a pic it not home made obviously but for $400 I wasn't going to pass on it

 

[sunfish]

Lots of home built splitters out there. I could easily build one myself, but don't really have the extra time. So I bought a 'Made in the USA' one. :msp_smile:

I avoid Chinese made stuff best I can.

 

[lone wolf]

The 4 way works great you have to take it off on big knotted logs.Keep in mind this is rated at 30 tons with a 13 horse.You need more pics let me know.

 

[lone wolf]

hyd hose from Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Rob1276]

I would like to see one from I guess a front view looking at the wedge part itself Honestly I have not seen any around these parts everyone has just the one wedge

 

[lone wolf]

View attachment 221764View attachment 221765View attachment 221766View attachment 221767View attachment 221768

 

[ray benson]

hyd hose from Northern Tool + Equipment

Isn't that hose made in china ?

 

[lone wolf]

Isn't that hose made in china ?

I dont know how can you tell maybe cause it dont say huh?

 

[lone wolf]

Isn't that hose made in china ?

Hoses: review PortoPower, Buyers, buy OTC, Apache, Blackhawk, Standard Tools

 

[cantoo]

Rob, I wanted to build my own splitter but after searching for parts and pricing everything out I just couldn't do it for anywhere near the price of the Speeco at TSC. I've had it a couple years now and lots of wood thru it, no problems yet. I have 2 other splitters to that I have customized to do what I want them to so it's not that I wasn't capable of building it, I just couldn't justify it at the time.
You don't have to build it to prove it, just list everything you need to build it and the prices for the stuff, I'll bet you will be surprised. Here a pump and the motor is almost $1000.