log splitter

[stew]

In my opinion has to be hydraulic too. If he is a agri tech, then surely has access to tractor, or if not a porta pack hydraulic source. Ive helped build/modify one, will be making my own this winter too, and it can be done on the cheap. second hand ram, built vertical using old H beam or heavy channel, and a sturdy base, and jobs a good un. If he wants to sell the stuff, but wont invest say £300 all in, then the jobs not worth doing end of story (if you ask me!).

 

[madkayaker]

I have one of these http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cl-logbuster-4?da=1&TC=SRC-log splitter got for less than half of that of eBay. It's very good for splitting stuff that is a bit tough or for the misses to use while I cut with the chainsaw. However if you are trying to do commercially then there is only one answer and that's a processor and £5K

 

[bigtip]

bb, i saw something like you describe on youtube where the lever/wedge was quite heavily weighted and the car spring was just there to help it all back up again. bit like a flypress in principal except not rotary. quick jabs was all the guy on the video was doing. i guess if you have a 10kg or even bigger mass helping you then a huge lever isn't so important.

 

[octo0072000]

this is a manual one works like fence post whacker don't know if that will be ok for his back but a powered one would be better for back problems

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaGSx5jK3is

 

[Piero]

That you tube link made me laugh.

Like most things, ideal conditions spring to mind.

perfect cut log, mega mega drie, little fibers holding it from splitting,

what it that wedge gets stuck, what them, bet its a right pain to get it out.

stop dreaming, if it was that easy, who would buy the proper hydrolic log spliters.

Just trying to drive the message across,

your saying your friend may well be spending whole days splitting logs right.
There is only one way of doing that,
bite the bullet

 

[Piero]

This is the ebay log spliter I bought, when I first bought it, I had a few logs laying around the house, being a new toy, I could not wait to try it,

Even with this puppy, If I was doing log splitting every day, or at least one day every week, I would probbly go bigger more powewrfull.
I kid you not,
if a job is worth doing, its worth doing properly.

most of the log splitter you see, is a frame work of metal.
the eletric motor is not a bad size, the real guts of the spliter (the hydrolics) is not that big.

things to look out for when buying one.

 

[Big Pete]

I've seen pretty effective hydraulic ones built using car steering pumps and a petrol lawnmower engine, the rams usually come from the scrap yard. It doesn't have to cost a fortune to build, and if he's splitting wood all day, it needs to be powered.

 

[maz0]

Custom built frame like the one Hitch made as previously linked too. With a £60 20 ton bottle jack from ebay that runs off a compressor (has a self return spring). Not sure the power of compressor required mind you. Would a 20 quid halfords tyre compressor work on the above anyone?

I'm assuming he has a vehicle with him while out in the field?

I will be using a similier design soon to make a log splitter. I have seen other folk use the above setup on another forum for shaping hot steel, so it deffo has the power!

 

[robwizard]

I'm gonna go with everyone else on this and say make it hydraulic. Realistically the increased speed of using a ram splitter versus manually chopping would well be worth the small investment. I just made one from an old ram and some scrap girder, As mentioned above it will be powered by a tractor and is for a farm hand!

 

[rich r]

I cut all mine with a chainsaw after I fell the tree. However, what works for me isn't necessarily good for everyone. We only have a wood/coal boiler for heating (no gas/oil) so what goes in it doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to be plentiful. I tend to chop trees down before they get to 30cm diameter, so sectioning the log into 20cm high cylinders which fit nicely in the boiler does the job. One day I'll get round to building or buying a sawhorse I can mount my chainsaw in, which will make things a lot easier.

However - when I have had cause to use a log splitter (on much bigger logs at a friend's farm), it was an electric screw type, which required quite a lot of getting the hang of as the ram could easily get jammed, especially if there are knots or the wood is damp. So I'd vote for hydraulic too if he's likely to encounter 'awkward' logs.

 

[breezer]

Similar to what Rich has said, I try to get as many branches, rather than trunks, as possible. Anything 6 - 7" or so goes into my homemade oregon type saw horse, and zip through them all in one go with the saw. Then they are ready to chuck straight in the stove after seasoning.

Like this one - only I made mine taller to hold more wood...

http://www.newsawchains.co.uk/WebRo...8F/B7C4/50ED/8970/EE83/Saw_horse_in_use_4.jpg

 

[fenman]

get a pile of logs together and hire a splitter simple

 

[octo0072000]

has he got a car or truck make one of these up works in the field

just weld up a spiral to bolt onto the wheel etc see video you can buy these ready made

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHV0BlvjMc

 

[breezer]

BrokenBiker...

What's the deal, is your mate chopping up seasoned logs or are they freshly felled?

While I agree with the comments regarding hydraulic etc, it sounds to me like he has been coping okay up to now (and with just an axe) so i presume he is chopping dry wood and just needs things making easier... I also presume he can probably avoid any nasty knotty logs etc and concentrate on the quick & easy ones (he must have a very good supply)

The easiest type to make is probably the slide hammer type and this is probably the most portable.

I use a maul and one of the wood grenade already linked - that and a sledgehammer has seen off plenty of logs which the maul would not touch.

What exactly is he struggling with? A sledge & wedge may be easier than big swings of the axe

jim

 

[iwoo]

Where is Baloo when you need him?

 

[madkayaker]

has he got a car or truck make one of these up works in the field

just weld up a spiral to bolt onto the wheel etc see video you can buy these ready made

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHV0BlvjMc

You have to love the stupidity of some people! The tractor driven ones of theses are nearly as bad

 

[BrokenBiker]

well, while we are still going forth with the homemade idea, he has managed to borrow a processor for a month, so that gives us more time to get a design sorted. have given the info to the fitters in work too, and they have all come back to an electric motor running a cam and a pivoting arm, so i will probably go with that.

even if its not as quick, we have decided its better to spend little and half to amount of manual labour done, than nearly bankrupt his business to buy a proper processor he cant afford

thanks for all the suggestions

 

[Feanor]

This is the screw type again, but it does still look dodgy, and yet seems effortless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIN0pWuGdq0

 

[octo0072000]

You have to love the stupidity of some people! The tractor driven ones of theses are nearly as bad

they actually sell them like that for use on a car one on the tube if i can find it
kid in uk has one lives Dartmoor way uses it on a estima car has done for 2 years wack it on the spiral but make sure your log is long enough to touch the floor no need for bits of ramps

here you are

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1HZztie5ac&feature=related

 

[octo0072000]

i like this one good old-fashioned kinetic energy with the flywheels
this is mechanical not a Hydraulic one and quick too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=256rBriIT28&feature=related