Log splitter on a Bobcat skid steer

[Bravheart]

The standard 2/2 balls would be better.
The ones you have look like they could jump out past the retaining catch.....probably at the wrong moment.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^ it will happen

Take the top link plate off again.
Do the lower hooks line up and engage they looked tight from the earlier pictures?
If they do hitch up and then offer up that plate again. Those backplates are meant for shifting machinery around the yard quickly without leaving the seat. The top link hook will be cut at an angle and probably not work upside down. Your top link idea may work but if the bobcat is crowded right back now it will need to be very short.
All it needs is a plate with a hole to fit a pin through the top link instead of a unlatched hook.

 

[brewdexta]

I was doing just that as you posted

I took the top link plate off, got the bottom pins seated and put the top plate back on

not much to hold it on, ok for measuring but not for use, I will get the straight cat2/2 balls.

If I cut the hook bit off and tilt the bobcat plate forward a little, this will fit, I think, if not I can drop the plate down a little.

Going to order the balls now

 

[brewdexta]

The hook got some rapidor action. Not much in the vice but if I did it across the vice the blade was heading towards the ceiling

I'll have no issues getting the bottom pin in now, and the hole lines up vertically when you tilt the bobcat plate forward, Its about 8mm too high but I can drop the top plate 8mm when I drill the other two holes.

Cheers
Andy

 

[brewdexta]

All sorted.

Top pin now fits, tried it out on some smaller logs, mainly to make sure I've got the hoses the right way round and I could get the Bobcat's auxiliary hydraulics working without sitting in the cab with the safety bar down.

I've got the new balls to fit and two more bolts holes to drill on the top plate then I'll get stuck into the 6 IBCs of logs.

Thanks for your help guys

Cheers

Andy

 

[gaz1]

you want a bigger head and point on that splitter

you can see marks already showing from the wood onto your hydraulic pin

 

[brewdexta]

you want a bigger head and point on that splitter

you can see marks already showing from the wood onto your hydraulic pin

Here's a closer look at the head Gaz. I've been using it for about 10 to 12 years, only light use though.

I've only got 4 IBCs of logs to split, the other 2 are smaller prunings. I do intend to get some more though, I tend to get given some every year, but usually willow..... it still burns ok though.

Its a bit of pain having to change from splitter to forks on the bobcat to move the logs around, not too bad as I've only got a few to do at the moment. But when I retire I intend to stop buying wood pellets and use only logs in the boiler, its dual fuel. That means I'll need about 4 IBCs of logs for the wood stoves and probably about 12 to 15 for the boiler per year. But at that point I should have my Dexta tractor working and that will take the splitter. I'll probably buy timber in the round, cut and split them. I did consider hiring a processor once a year but only if my neighbours want some logs too. They seem to be happy to buy logs for about 60 or 70 quid a builders bag or 80 to 90 for kiln dried. So I'll just do it for myself. I don't want to buy a processor, another hulking bit of rusting metal cluttering up the yard that gets used once a year.

Once I get too old to process my own logs, I'll go back to pellets

Regards
Andy

 

[Justme]

Here's a closer look at the head Gaz. I've been using it for about 10 to 12 years, only light use though.

View attachment 286831

I've only got 4 IBCs of logs to split, the other 2 are smaller prunings. I do intend to get some more though, I tend to get given some every year, but usually willow..... it still burns ok though.

View attachment 286832

Its a bit of pain having to change from splitter to forks on the bobcat to move the logs around, not too bad as I've only got a few to do at the moment. But when I retire I intend to stop buying wood pellets and use only logs in the boiler, its dual fuel. That means I'll need about 4 IBCs of logs for the wood stoves and probably about 12 to 15 for the boiler per year. But at that point I should have my Dexta tractor working and that will take the splitter. I'll probably buy timber in the round, cut and split them. I did consider hiring a processor once a year but only if my neighbours want some logs too. They seem to be happy to buy logs for about 60 or 70 quid a builders bag or 80 to 90 for kiln dried. So I'll just do it for myself. I don't want to buy a processor, another hulking bit of rusting metal cluttering up the yard that gets used once a year.

Once I get too old to process my own logs, I'll go back to pellets

Regards
Andy

Buy a lorry load, hire me in to sort it all & then you sell the logs to your neighbours.

Your logs would then be free & you will make some money.

Lorry load of hardwood costs £1800-2400
Processing costs £800 plus travel & accommodation

You would get 50-55 IBC's so thats about 100 builders bags full.
Even at £60 a bag thats £6k for about £3.5k's outlay.

With you keeping 15 IBC's you will still make £700 & have 15 IBC's FOC.

This was a training session so not a huge amount of work going on but still did 30 IBC's that day.

 

[brewdexta]

Buy a lorry load, hire me in to sort it all & then you sell the logs to your neighbours.

Your logs would then be free & you will make some money.

Lorry load of hardwood costs £1800-2400
Processing costs £800 plus travel & accommodation

You would get 50-55 IBC's so thats about 100 builders bags full.
Even at £60 a bag thats £6k for about £3.5k's outlay.

With you keeping 15 IBC's you will still make £700 & have 15 IBC's FOC.

This was a training session so not a huge amount of work going on but still did 30 IBC's that day.

Very tempting PM me some details, I don't intend to retire this year but I hope it won't be too long, then I will definitely be game.

 

[James1979]

I need a bobcat!

they are a really versatile thing. The yanks use them a lot.

you have a nice setup there

 

[brewdexta]

The only problem is they aren't that good on steep hills or muddy fields, and I have both. I have to reverse up hills if I don't have a load, its not that much of a pain but I don't have the nerves of steel my neighbour has, he's always pulling wheelies in his

You can get tracked skidsteers but they still suffer on hills. I have looked at other types of loader but I can manage with the bobcat.

 

[addjunkie]

Buy a lorry load, hire me in to sort it all & then you sell the logs to your neighbours.

Your logs would then be free & you will make some money.

Lorry load of hardwood costs £1800-2400
Processing costs £800 plus travel & accommodation

You would get 50-55 IBC's so thats about 100 builders bags full.
Even at £60 a bag thats £6k for about £3.5k's outlay.

With you keeping 15 IBC's you will still make £700 & have 15 IBC's FOC.

This was a training session so not a huge amount of work going on but still did 30 IBC's that day.

What size lorry load are you getting for that price.

I know a man with a travelling processor.