ACFerguson
ArboristSite Lurker
I originally posted this as a reply in someone else's thread from 2 years ago and only after did I realize I should have posted it here...sorry about that.
I'm about to embark on the foolish journey of building a log splitter. I've read a number of forums and watched a ton of youtube videos of many DIY splitters. I have some ideas from all of this and of course, many more unresolved considerations in all this. I live in Ontario and have Maple, Oak, Birch, Cedar, and Pine on my property. I did have one 36" diameter walnut come down in a storm several years ago, but I've very few and I'm unlikely to cut them down. So, that's the type of wood species that I'll mostly be splitting.
I have a new Honda 11Hp engine. I also have an 8hp Briggs and Stratton engine.
I also have a kick off valve with the following features:
- Detented return position allows hands-free operation while the cylinder is retracting and automatically shifts the spool to the neutral position at the end of the stroke
- Type - 3-Position, 4-Way, Open Center
- Max. Continuous Pressure - 3,265 PSI
- Max. Continuous Flow - 30 GPM
- Relief Valve Setting - 2,250 PSI
- Relief Valve Range - 1,000 to 3,265 PSI
- Inlet Port(s) - 3/4 ORBF
- Outlet Port(s) - 3/4 ORBF
- Work Ports - 1/2 ORBF
I have several tons of steel, but nothing large enough for the main "body" of the splitter yet.
I have hub assemblies and wheels
What I'd like to have as features on the splitter:
- Hydraulic log lift.
- Hydraulic (i.e., height adjustable) 6-way splitter wedge/knife (I was thinking that offsetting the knives would reduce the initial load on the cylinder if they were like this. Initial contact would be the vertical knife)
- Oil reservoir would be in the "axle"-like assembly
- double cutting to speed up the process
Having read previous posts, I know that I need to somehow reduce the flow to the hydraulics responsible for the log lift and the knife height adjustments and I'll need a two-spool valve to run these. But, I've no idea what's required to accomplish this.
I would like to be able to cut anything I put on the splitter. But, at the same time I would like to realize fast cycle times. I don't know if a 22gpm 2-stage pump or a 28gpm 2-stage pump would serve best here; or if the engine (8 or 11) is capable of running these pumps. Bigger pump even?
I was thinking that hose ID might prove to be a limiting factor in flow. But, this is compounded by the size of the fittings on the cylinders and pumps. So, I'm assuming that an ID the size of the smallest fitting in this chain will work just as well as a larger hose?
Once the cylinder size has been figured out and the pump too, how big would I need to make the oil reservoir?
I've read to make the "table" height as high as your knuckles when you make a fist and let it hang down. Is this correct?
I've watched some DIY videos and the units are very unstable as I can see that their stance isn't wide enough. How wide should the wheels be apart to provide adequate stability?
I have pretty solid welding skills. I've built about 50 trailers from small 4x5 units to large 8'-6" x 24' units. As well as large stands up to 10' tall for commercial equipment. So, I've no worries about the physical construction and welding of this project at all. It's all of the other stuff that I know very little about, even after all the reading I've done online. I certainly know much more than when I began this and this forum has been by far the best one I've run across.
I looking for any advice on all of these thoughts and ideas. If I'm dreaming in technicolor, please tell me so! I'm willing to modify my ideas to fit reality if they're not there.
Thanks and looking forward to your feedback on this.
Tony
Ontario, Canada
I'm about to embark on the foolish journey of building a log splitter. I've read a number of forums and watched a ton of youtube videos of many DIY splitters. I have some ideas from all of this and of course, many more unresolved considerations in all this. I live in Ontario and have Maple, Oak, Birch, Cedar, and Pine on my property. I did have one 36" diameter walnut come down in a storm several years ago, but I've very few and I'm unlikely to cut them down. So, that's the type of wood species that I'll mostly be splitting.
I have a new Honda 11Hp engine. I also have an 8hp Briggs and Stratton engine.
I also have a kick off valve with the following features:
- Detented return position allows hands-free operation while the cylinder is retracting and automatically shifts the spool to the neutral position at the end of the stroke
- Type - 3-Position, 4-Way, Open Center
- Max. Continuous Pressure - 3,265 PSI
- Max. Continuous Flow - 30 GPM
- Relief Valve Setting - 2,250 PSI
- Relief Valve Range - 1,000 to 3,265 PSI
- Inlet Port(s) - 3/4 ORBF
- Outlet Port(s) - 3/4 ORBF
- Work Ports - 1/2 ORBF
I have several tons of steel, but nothing large enough for the main "body" of the splitter yet.
I have hub assemblies and wheels
What I'd like to have as features on the splitter:
- Hydraulic log lift.
- Hydraulic (i.e., height adjustable) 6-way splitter wedge/knife (I was thinking that offsetting the knives would reduce the initial load on the cylinder if they were like this. Initial contact would be the vertical knife)
- Oil reservoir would be in the "axle"-like assembly
- double cutting to speed up the process
Having read previous posts, I know that I need to somehow reduce the flow to the hydraulics responsible for the log lift and the knife height adjustments and I'll need a two-spool valve to run these. But, I've no idea what's required to accomplish this.
I would like to be able to cut anything I put on the splitter. But, at the same time I would like to realize fast cycle times. I don't know if a 22gpm 2-stage pump or a 28gpm 2-stage pump would serve best here; or if the engine (8 or 11) is capable of running these pumps. Bigger pump even?
I was thinking that hose ID might prove to be a limiting factor in flow. But, this is compounded by the size of the fittings on the cylinders and pumps. So, I'm assuming that an ID the size of the smallest fitting in this chain will work just as well as a larger hose?
Once the cylinder size has been figured out and the pump too, how big would I need to make the oil reservoir?
I've read to make the "table" height as high as your knuckles when you make a fist and let it hang down. Is this correct?
I've watched some DIY videos and the units are very unstable as I can see that their stance isn't wide enough. How wide should the wheels be apart to provide adequate stability?
I have pretty solid welding skills. I've built about 50 trailers from small 4x5 units to large 8'-6" x 24' units. As well as large stands up to 10' tall for commercial equipment. So, I've no worries about the physical construction and welding of this project at all. It's all of the other stuff that I know very little about, even after all the reading I've done online. I certainly know much more than when I began this and this forum has been by far the best one I've run across.
I looking for any advice on all of these thoughts and ideas. If I'm dreaming in technicolor, please tell me so! I'm willing to modify my ideas to fit reality if they're not there.
Thanks and looking forward to your feedback on this.
Tony
Ontario, Canada