High Quality Chainsaw Bars Husqvarna Toys

Show Your Home built Log Splitter

J & L Creations

Machine Design
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
1100
Joined
Mar 31, 2016
Messages
264
Reaction score
646
Location
Texas
I guess I'll be building one of these log splitters, just don't know exactly when though. Any one have a home built they care to showoff and share where they purchased parts from? What pressure do they run at? Ram size and so on? Thanks in advance for any info, Jeff.
 

bigbadbob

Here For The Long Haul!
Local time
6:02 PM
User ID
454
Joined
Jan 9, 2016
Messages
1,873
Reaction score
12,237
Location
Interior BC Canada
GX390 22GPM 5X24 got the pump etc and control from the USA forget where but lots of people buy from them.
The rest I scrounged over a few years. Cylinder and beam from a guys unfinished project, bought a good used utility traler to mount on. Got the engine from a friend needed rings. Splits everything just off an idle, get warm to touch after an hour with two people running it. about 15 imperial gallon tank, also bought used, I had it made 1/2 size.
There are lots of build thread on site or AS.
Have $1500 into it.
Only drawback is its heavy.
BBB
split.jpg
 

J & L Creations

Machine Design
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
1100
Joined
Mar 31, 2016
Messages
264
Reaction score
646
Location
Texas
GX390 22GPM 5X24 got the pump etc and control from the USA forget where but lots of people buy from them.
The rest I scrounged over a few years. Cylinder and beam from a guys unfinished project, bought a good used utility traler to mount on. Got the engine from a friend needed rings. Splits everything just off an idle, get warm to touch after an hour with two people running it. about 15 imperial gallon tank, also bought used, I had it made 1/2 size.
There are lots of build thread on site or AS.
Have $1500 into it.
Only drawback is its heavy.
BBB
View attachment 40230
Nice one, thanks for posting. I just acquired an I beam, so I guess I've started scrounging.
 

Grimmy

Super OPE Member
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
444
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
226
Reaction score
472
Location
Traer, Iowa
I got parts for when mine was being built from the following:

splitez.com
Surplus center

I got my motor from www.equipatron.com. I had it in like 2 days, free shipping, as they were in the next state over.


I didn't build mine, I had someone else do it as he built a few previously.
 

J & L Creations

Machine Design
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
1100
Joined
Mar 31, 2016
Messages
264
Reaction score
646
Location
Texas

Tiewire

Super OPE Member
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
684
Joined
Jan 26, 2016
Messages
81
Reaction score
323
Location
Missouri
Country flag
2.JPG Started by making a H/V splitter with 6.5 hp briggs with 13 gpm pump, 4"x 24" cylinder off of ford backhoe. Hated splitting vertically as it killed my back but could not get the bigger ones on beam when horizontal. Time for a redo.IMG_0527.JPG
Ended up with horizontal only with a boom as axle would be in the way of hydraulic tray type log lift. Most of the steel I scrounged. Had to buy valve (from surplus center I believe) pump and lovejoy coupler, engine adapter, guage, filter, intake screen ,etc came from Northern tool. 9 hp Honda on it now is from craigslist, 75 bucks. I still easily have 1,000 dollars in it but I don't know where to buy one like it. I'm running mine at 2,500 psi currently.
 

Dustin4185

Pinnacle OPE Member
Local time
9:02 PM
User ID
2032
Joined
Oct 25, 2016
Messages
1,295
Reaction score
3,680
Location
East TN
Country flag
I don't have any pictures since I have sold it, but I purchased all my hydraulics from Bailey hydraulics in Knoxville TN. It was local pickup for me. The first engine was an old Briggs I/C 10 hp. I had a better use for it so I bought a Honda clone from HF. It had a moving wedge since I cut bigger stuff and can't pick some blocks up to put on the beam. I got the wedge from Northern and had the I beam.

If you go this route, the base needs to be 1" thick and tied in really well. My base started as 1/2" plate and when it bent so bad I couldn't use it, I started over. I wouldn't have thought it would do that, but that is A LOT of pressure.

I used a 5x28 tie rod cylinder because it was cheaper than a welded one. I would use a welded cylinder if I built another one. I would also have used a thicker flanged I beam. The one I used was 1/2", it made it through many seasons, but I build things a little beefier now!

My tank was also the axle like the store bought ones are. Stub axles from Northern. The tube was a drop from a local fab shop. I think it was 4x8 1/4" wall. I made it 50" wide so it was more stable pulling. I also used 14" wheels and tires instead of those dinky 8" wheels. Only down side was tilting it up because I had to leave the beam long enough for hitch weight.
 

J & L Creations

Machine Design
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
1100
Joined
Mar 31, 2016
Messages
264
Reaction score
646
Location
Texas
View attachment 40277 Started by making a H/V splitter with 6.5 hp briggs with 13 gpm pump, 4"x 24" cylinder off of ford backhoe. Hated splitting vertically as it killed my back but could not get the bigger ones on beam when horizontal. Time for a redo.View attachment 40279
Ended up with horizontal only with a boom as axle would be in the way of hydraulic tray type log lift. Most of the steel I scrounged. Had to buy valve (from surplus center I believe) pump and lovejoy coupler, engine adapter, guage, filter, intake screen ,etc came from Northern tool. 9 hp Honda on it now is from craigslist, 75 bucks. I still easily have 1,000 dollars in it but I don't know where to buy one like it. I'm running mine at 2,500 psi currently.

Good information , thank you so much.
 

J & L Creations

Machine Design
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
1100
Joined
Mar 31, 2016
Messages
264
Reaction score
646
Location
Texas
I don't have any pictures since I have sold it, but I purchased all my hydraulics from Bailey hydraulics in Knoxville TN. It was local pickup for me. The first engine was an old Briggs I/C 10 hp. I had a better use for it so I bought a Honda clone from HF. It had a moving wedge since I cut bigger stuff and can't pick some blocks up to put on the beam. I got the wedge from Northern and had the I beam.

If you go this route, the base needs to be 1" thick and tied in really well. My base started as 1/2" plate and when it bent so bad I couldn't use it, I started over. I wouldn't have thought it would do that, but that is A LOT of pressure.

I used a 5x28 tie rod cylinder because it was cheaper than a welded one. I would use a welded cylinder if I built another one. I would also have used a thicker flanged I beam. The one I used was 1/2", it made it through many seasons, but I build things a little beefier now!

My tank was also the axle like the store bought ones are. Stub axles from Northern. The tube was a drop from a local fab shop. I think it was 4x8 1/4" wall. I made it 50" wide so it was more stable pulling. I also used 14" wheels and tires instead of those dinky 8" wheels. Only down side was tilting it up because I had to leave the beam long enough for hitch weight.
Thanks for all the tips, it will help when I build mine.
 

bigbadbob

Here For The Long Haul!
Local time
6:02 PM
User ID
454
Joined
Jan 9, 2016
Messages
1,873
Reaction score
12,237
Location
Interior BC Canada
Be sure and get the info between H and I beam, I beam is common and not real strong for a splitter, H is harder to find but stronger, usuall a much thicker web, mine was an I beam and I put a 1x10 plate on top. No flex so far.
BBB
 

J & L Creations

Machine Design
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
1100
Joined
Mar 31, 2016
Messages
264
Reaction score
646
Location
Texas
Of the splitters I have seen including @Grimmy, the plate and tube method seems to be the best option IMHO.
Anyone have a good photo of the "plate and tube method" being discussed here? Or more information on what was used in the design, wall thickness, diameter and length of the tube or pipe. Was this tube the main support/body everything else was either welded or bolted to?
If this is what I am thinking it is, I could use the I beam I have laying on it's side, with two tube/pipes the same length welded and boxed in with plate steel underneath, same length flange in between the two pipes welded to the I beam center length, to build a log splitter twice as strong and still use the pipes as the reservoir for the hydraulic oil, tested for leaks before boxing them in. The upper flanges of I beam could have same length plate steel welded inside at 45 degree angles and would serve as a horizontal tray/guide or slide to put the log in for splitting. I think I'll try this when I'm ready to build my log splitter.
 

J & L Creations

Machine Design
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
1100
Joined
Mar 31, 2016
Messages
264
Reaction score
646
Location
Texas
Well guy's, I just saw the split second log splitter, I have to build one, I just can't help myself, I have to.
 

Magic_Man

Oh Yea !
Local time
9:02 PM
User ID
9
Joined
Dec 4, 2015
Messages
1,151
Reaction score
3,560
Location
SE Ohio
View attachment 40277 Started by making a H/V splitter with 6.5 hp briggs with 13 gpm pump, 4"x 24" cylinder off of ford backhoe. Hated splitting vertically as it killed my back but could not get the bigger ones on beam when horizontal. Time for a redo.View attachment 40279
Ended up with horizontal only with a boom as axle would be in the way of hydraulic tray type log lift. Most of the steel I scrounged. Had to buy valve (from surplus center I believe) pump and lovejoy coupler, engine adapter, guage, filter, intake screen ,etc came from Northern tool. 9 hp Honda on it now is from craigslist, 75 bucks. I still easily have 1,000 dollars in it but I don't know where to buy one like it. I'm running mine at 2,500 psi currently.
I really like that hoist, might have to try and do something like that with mine.
 

Cutforfun

Well-Known OPE Member
Local time
6:02 PM
User ID
559
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Messages
53
Reaction score
128
Location
Palmer mill
I have not found a need or want for the boom to lift , using hydraulics. A 2500# winch with a wireless remote worksperfect for me. Pulls the rounds to the splitter and let's you lift them to the right height.
IMG_20140518_142150712.jpg IMG_20140428_171027081_HDR.jpg IMG_20150819_175419386.jpg
 

Magic_Man

Oh Yea !
Local time
9:02 PM
User ID
9
Joined
Dec 4, 2015
Messages
1,151
Reaction score
3,560
Location
SE Ohio

J & L Creations

Machine Design
Local time
8:02 PM
User ID
1100
Joined
Mar 31, 2016
Messages
264
Reaction score
646
Location
Texas
I have not found a need or want for the boom to lift , using hydraulics. A 2500# winch with a wireless remote worksperfect for me. Pulls the rounds to the splitter and let's you lift them to the right height.
View attachment 40770 View attachment 40772 View attachment 40773
That's a good way to go, HF is running a special on a 2500lb remote control winch right now. Included in a log splitter build, you would also then need a battery and a way to charge it, unless you connected the winch to your truck battery. I installed an alternator on my band mill when I built it, don't know if that would work here though because of the power loss turning an alternator. You could buy or find an engine to run the log splitter, with a charging system and stator built in and would be the easiest solution.
 
Top