While his photo shows it vertical-the splitter is originally designed to go both ways, His improvements may be dedicated to his prefferred vertical position, but the idea that he's using a form of winch is whats key here. Whether its a manual boat winch or a little electric 12v winch, its all you need.
I sense since you can't comprehend how "simple" may be cheap and practically efficient, and are fixated on hydraulics, good luck fabricating. Because you apparently don't have either of the those skills.
One, its completely unnecessary to need hydraulics to lift a round to beam height.
Two, unless you have enough money to burn a wet carpet, why would you overlook how simple this can be?
I suspect Iowa aint responded because you bascially insulted him. But then again, what do I know- Im just some dumb engineer from Floriduh that aint got no business in a firewood forum because its so warm down here....