Started the log splitter build

[knighty]

that's not as bad as I expected when you said it was broken :-o

up it to 20mm and make it wider so it sticks out to the sides more so it's not just pivoting/bending around the bolts and it'll be rock solid :-)


behind the ram I'm wondering if you weld a piece to the back of the two pieces to hold them together so they can't bend/pivot if that'll fix your problem... it would mean the bolt would have to shear off instead of bend?

I'd say a bigger pin instead of the bolt too.... but I'm guessing you'd be on forever drilling the holes out?

 

[123hotchef]

that's not as bad as I expected when you said it was broken :-o

up it to 20mm and make it wider so it sticks out to the sides more so it's not just pivoting/bending around the bolts and it'll be rock solid :-)


behind the ram I'm wondering if you weld a piece to the back of the two pieces to hold them together so they can't bend/pivot if that'll fix your problem... it would mean the bolt would have to shear off instead of bend?

I'd say a bigger pin instead of the bolt too.... but I'm guessing you'd be on forever drilling the holes out?

No it is not that bad it still splits!
It is a bit slow but for a cheap build I cant complain.
A bolt may not have been the best thing to use, a decent bit of bar may be stronger at least a M16 bolt is cheap to replace, it is adjustable for different length logs and I plan to make a kindling splitter so it will need to slide all the way back for that, so welding a brace on it cant be a option really. 20mm is not a problem I have a few plates left from @Pete. the lift weights, they do take some cutting and drilling mind!

 

[gaz1]

your ram point is too low thats your problem

you need it higher at rear end to stop it lifting

 

[123hotchef]

maybe mine is dead level, but if it was tail high it would not slide along the steel properly

 

[MickeyW]

If you're still looking for thoughts and ideas, here's a splitter I built a few years ago.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/uk-hydraulic-log-splitter-build.270236/

I received some good contribution during the build from others with previous experience. The completed article worked really well, alas it never got a whole lot of use as not long after finishing it we moved to a house with no fireplace

 

[123hotchef]

I upped the 6mm slides to 20mm today, will do the pin when it breaks shame to cut it out just now!

 

[123hotchef]

It's a bit beefier now. It still worked even bent like.that.

 

[mcostello]

A friend let Me use His log splitter. It was "only" a 5 hp Honda engine. I thought it might be wimpy. It had about 12 axe heads welded together for a wedge and the edge was sharp. Knots? It just laughed at them. The one I am rebuilding is a 14 Hp kohler engine, 5"x 24" cylinder, 2 speed pump, theoretically 9 second split time.

 

[MickeyW]

It's a bit beefier now. It still worked even bent like.that.

View attachment 322498 View attachment 322499 View attachment 322500 View attachment 322501

It's easy to underestimate the power of hydraulics.
I think I used 10 or 12mm in that position. I'd certainly hope 20mm would be OK.

 

[123hotchef]

I am sure it will be

 

[123hotchef]

Back again! I have broken it better this time
That will teach me to try and split the really knotty stuff.
Well it was obviosly a section of trunk that slit into 2 sections
Do the proper splitters cope with this Y trunks ok?

Any way looks like I need to cut it up and start again.

Are all RSJ webs slightly tapped towards the web? This one is really old and I dont think the one I instaled in the house was a tappered as this one.

Pics to follow

 

[123hotchef]

Here we go.

 

[8ob]

Are all RSJ webs slightly tapped towards the web?

Yes, that's the difference between an I beam and an RSJ

Bob

 

[8ob]

For that application you would be better off with four girder trolley wheels each side of the RSJ and a rod eye or pin on the end of the ram.

Bob

 

[pedrobedro]

Do the proper splitters cope with this Y trunks ok?

I bought my 18 ton splitter ready built as it was only a couple of hundred more than buying the parts to make one and I couldn't wait to find second hand parts. So far we've not found anything it will not tackle, some that won't split because of the angle of the grain just gets shredded instead if you keep pushing on the handle.

 

[123hotchef]

I bought my 18 ton splitter ready built as it was only a couple of hundred more than buying the parts to make one and I couldn't wait to find second hand parts. So far we've not found anything it will not tackle, some that won't split because of the angle of the grain just gets shredded instead if you keep pushing on the handle.

what did you buy?

 

[123hotchef]

Yes, that's the difference between an I beam and an RSJ

Bob

So I need a I beam not a RSJ then?
Or I could just make a T from 2 lenghts of 20mm bar

 

[pedrobedro]

what did you buy?

Black tools 18T splitter, it was cheaper when I got mine a couple of years ago, £1200 including the delivery. I tow it to the farm where we cut and split arb waste.

 

[8ob]

So I need a I beam not a RSJ then?
Or I could just make a T from 2 lenghts of 20mm bar

Girder trolley wheels are angled to suit RSJ`s you just need to support the pushing plate with four wheels in each side of the web, to take out any twisting forces off the ram the eye in the end that's attached to the pushing plate needs to have a bit of float in it.

Bob

 

[123hotchef]

Girder trolley wheels are angled to suit RSJ`s you just need to support the pushing plate with four wheels in each side of the web, to take out any twisting forces off the ram the eye in the end that's attached to the pushing plate needs to have a bit of float in it.

Bob
View attachment 340745

Oh I see they are a great idea, I might need to re desing this with these

changed my mind a I beam will be better!