My little Splitter..

Here is a couple shots of my splitter that I am just getting finished up with. It has a 21hp Vanguard motor, 28 gpm pump, 20 gal hyd tank, two handle valve(one detents for return and the other is spring centered), Log lift and split wood table. I built this with 3 things in mind, tall enough for me(I'm 6'8" tall), long enough so that I am not falling over an axle or motor and lastly a table so that I didn't have to re-lift any wood. So far so good however I just got it fired up last night late so I have yet really work the heck out of it..

<a href="http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/Cooldeere/?action=view&current=BryceSplitter-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/Cooldeere/BryceSplitter-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/Cooldeere/?action=view&current=BryceSplitter-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/Cooldeere/BryceSplitter-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Looks good.

I would add a nubbin to the push plate something that can dig into the butt of the piece to keep it from kicking out on you..actually I would add several.

Well done

Very very nice job there

Looking good.

Lookin good

Thanks

ericjeeper...
I would add a nubbin to the push plate something that can dig into the butt of the piece to keep it from kicking out on you..actually I would add several.

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Good point, I had thought about that but haddn't gotten around to it yet. I know there are few things that I can see I could add on that might make the splitter a lot better. I can't wait to see how it works over several hrs of use. I tried to find the best ideas on the net and add in everyones ideas from here and hope for the best. The way I see it the jury is still out on reliability and ease of use but I think it should be ok. My hope is that it will be something I can use for a long time. I'm 37 now and I tried to think of how I would want it to be when I am 60+. I have a F-600 2 ton truck with a 8x10 flatbed on it and plan to use it to haul my wood with it. I made the hitch long enough that I can use a regular pickup and leave the splitter hooked up and have the tailgate down to load the wood. I don't think the Mrs will find any humor in me building another so I hope I got it right the first time...

very nice i love seeing pics of homebuilt projects

Hedge

Looks great. Now it is time for the tuning stage. I need to find time to get the log lift and 4-way done on mine.

Here is what I did for traction on the ram face and it works pretty slick on the crooked ones. Especially the ones in the corners. It is just 2 x 2.5 x 1/4" angle sliced aboult 1/4" thick and welded on. I used a TIG welder to weld all they way around them (they ain't coming off).

Don

Hedge- I really like the length, should allow you to work around it and not be bumping your legs etc. The split wood table and log lift should be handy as well. Get some 'in action' photos and post them when you get to using it. I am curious how it performs, that's alot of pump and engine that should do great and split about anything !!!

Hedge, Vary nice lookin splitter, You built there, Iam sure youll enjoy it,. E,J,

Like Eric said, add some bumps on the pushplate and you'll be good to go!

Have you considered adding a slip-on 4-way or 6-way wedge?



Looking forward to seeing some video of the splitter in action!!!

Nice job Hedge - Question though - What do you have for length between the ram & wedge? It just looks short in the pic.

Fabulous wheels!

Best looking tires and whels I have seen on a "small" log splitter trailer in my entire life.

I imagine the splitter works also.

what? you don't just shoot first?

TreeCo said:

Consider putting the 'bumps' on the pushplate in a recognizable pattern. That's what I did. It brands every piece of wood you split! Handy if you ever catch a firewood thief.

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My buddy has a nubbin on his that sometimes will actually scotch the piece ot the pushplate.. It needs a bit of a point. His is 1/2 inch round bar stock about 1/2 inch long..

Wood Doctor
Best looking tires and whels I have seen on a "small" log splitter trailer in my entire life.

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They were some that I had laying around and so I tried to use them up. Amazing what you can dig up if you look hard enough.

Mike Van
Nice job Hedge - Question though - What do you have for length between the ram & wedge? It just looks short in the pic.

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It is just under 25" I tried to keep it close but not to close. I hate it when you split and it doesn't quite get it and you have to try to pull apart a stringy piece of red elm.

I will try to get some actions shots sometime soon. It is snowing here tonight and so it might be a day or two till we get back at it. I did get a chance to try it some last night we split about a pickup full in about 30-35 minutes. We didn't really work real hard at it (my 9yr old son and I) but it did keep us moving to keep it full and running. Got a couple things that in need to tune on a bit. The wedge is a little to loose on the beam (need to take some shims out) it likes to bind a little once in a while. I also need to slow the lift a little it is a little jumpy. Minor details but I need to take care of them and add the bumps as well. It sure was nice to split with a real splitter and not the old wedge and sledge.... I like the exercise but dang not a whole pickup full at a time.....

The original part of my splitter is30 years old and dosen't have nubs on the push plate. never saw any need,actualy like for twisted stuff to be able to spin a little on the push plate.Once in awhile have to back the cylinder off and let things straighten out then back to splitting.If you watch what you are doing,not to much problem with stuff popping out of splitter.

looks great. Should be pretty quick as well. With that kind of power you could choose to go with a 4 way wedge if you wanted. I especially like the log lift.

great looking splitter, nice job!!

looks you've got all your bases covered. what's the diameter of ram that big ole pump is driving? what kind of cycle times?

stonykill
looks great. Should be pretty quick as well. With that kind of power you could choose to go with a 4 way wedge if you wanted. I especially like the log lift.

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I have to admit I like the lift as well, it works about the way I figured it would. I used a 3x16 cyl I had around here so I didn't have to buy another one and it really it is to long and to big. It will be fine for now I may look to get a 2x14 or something like that. I didn't quite get the geometry like I should've and it hits a bar on the top if it is lifted almost straight up. My son got a little wild and over did it the other night and I had to do a little surgery to correct it but that's ok for 9 he is good help otherwise... I have been thinking about a 4 way wedge but really it isn't all that bad with the table on front to re-split when necessary. Guess after about 30 yrs of not having a splitter I am just glad to have my own and don't know anybetter...