Finished splitter
Well after many weekends it's finished. I ended up putting the old parts back on except for the new beam, push plate, and wedge. I lowered the cylinder as close to the beam as it would go. Got rid of the white hard plastic friction plates. The entire beam slides back on rollers 4 feet to get away from the wheels so it's easier to work.
I decided to go BIG. Going to sell this splitter and upgrade to a box beam, (no more I beam for me, too many headaches). 22.5 HP Honda engine, 6 inch diameter cylinder, 24 inch stroke, 28GPM 2 stage pump, 3/4 inch lines. I bought a used Millermatic 251 welder and a set of torches, going to attempt building this one on my own as opposed to paying my buddy for doing most of the welding. The old splitter came out nice, but the Eucalyptus wood we split is twisted and tough and I need more power.
I have some of the parts for the new BIG splitter. I'm staying with a horizontal splitter and was wondering which way to have the fixed wedge face--forward or backward? Axle position and getting the thing to balance will be tricky too. Looks like I have my work cut out for me.
I'll post pics as the progress moves on. Check out some pics of the old splitter that's up for sale.