Tractor mounted Log Splitter

[gav0994]

Thought I'd share a pic of my latest workshop project - it's a 3 point linkage mounted hydraulic log splitter for my mate's farm. My mate supplied the ram, removed new from a slurry pump, and I sourced the rest of the materials/components.

main frame is 89x152 RSJ with 3"x3" heavy angle for the top ram mount. The splitting blade is made out of a lump of heavy plate approx 1 1/2" thick - took forever to cut the blade point! the rest of the splitting head is made of 10mm plate and 50x50x5 angle. Base is done with 3mm tread plate and some 3" channel to brace it. Rear 3 point linkage is also from the slurry pump that supplied the ram. Single spool 3/8 valve and associated hoses to plumb it all in.

All in, about 4 hours work to make it - testing takes place tomorrow!

 

[the snooper]

is there anything to stop the ram from moving away from the rsj should the log be cut on an angle and decide to move ?

 

[gav0994]

is there anything to stop the ram from moving away from the rsj should the log be cut on an angle and decide to move ?

the ram is bolted to the splitting head which is bolted to angle runners that keep the splitting head held against the RSJ so there is no possibility of it moving away from the RSJ. The splitting head moves up and down the RSJ

 

[the snooper]

though there would have been something but hard to see in that pic

 

[seriesonewelder]

I cant see how the top link attaches - is it obscured in the picture by the spool valve?

 

[the snooper]

changed due to realising which link was meant tractor link

 

[gav0994]

I cant see how the top link attaches - is it obscured in the picture by the spool valve?

top link bracket is still to be welded on, waiting till my mate comes round with the tractor to collect it so I get it fitted on in the right position - never got the chance to measure a 3 point linkage before i started

 

[striker]

Looks good, maybe the top ram support angle could benefit from some gussets from the protruding angle to the top of the the rsj. Please cut the bolts that hold the splitting head guide to the rsj down to length if only for aesthetics! Youve done well there in 4 hours! That would be a couple of days work for me, thats why I will never make any money!

 

[Paul99]

Only 4 hours - that's good going it took me ages getting to a similar kind of stage with the limited kit and indoor space I had at the time.

It's hard to judge from the photos but is that chequer plate and the backing piece the axe is fixed too thick enough for the ram? I mention it because I made my first axe with a 10mm backing plate and the same for the base as I had it too hand - both bent / bowed / twisted very quickly with a 10T ram - the base plate I could understand but I never thought so much force would be applied to that backing plate in a forwards direction (away from the face of the RSJ) with knotty timber. For the replacement axe I used 12mm and problem solved. If it's a smaller ram though you could be more than thick enough already.

 

[gav0994]

Looks good, maybe the top ram support angle could benefit from some gussets from the protruding angle to the top of the the rsj. Please cut the bolts that hold the splitting head guide to the rsj down to length if only for aesthetics! Youve done well there in 4 hours! That would be a couple of days work for me, thats why I will never make any money!

Bolts have been cut! Gussets have been made aswell for the top ram support, just gota find the time to get them welded on.

Only 4 hours - that's good going it took me ages getting to a similar kind of stage with the limited kit and indoor space I had at the time.

It's hard to judge from the photos but is that chequer plate and the backing piece the axe is fixed too thick enough for the ram?The tread plate is getting removed as despite plenty of bracing underneath it didn't withstand the test log! The splitting blade requires altering as the edge is too thick, need a thinner blade - tractor bucket edge blade should do the trick. I mention it because I made my first axe with a 10mm backing plate and the same for the base as I had it too hand - both bent / bowed / twisted very quickly with a 10T ram - No idea what tonnage the ram puts out, it is fairly heavy duty though so will cope no bother with what we want to split

 

[agrimog]

quick look at the sizes, Iam guessing 3"on the ram id and 1 1/2" on the rod, 200bar (usual tractor hydraulic pressure) I reckon your getting around 9.5-10 ton on the splitter, how thick is the base plate, I ask this cos on my own splitter of a similar design , I tore the plate off the rsj cutting some gnarly elm, now up to 30mm plate and some bracing!

 

[agrimog]

p.s. where in ayrshire you based

 

[gav0994]

quick look at the sizes, Iam guessing 3"on the ram id and 1 1/2" on the rod, 200bar (usual tractor hydraulic pressure) I reckon your getting around 9.5-10 ton on the splitter, how thick is the base plate, I ask this cos on my own splitter of a similar design , I tore the plate off the rsj cutting some gnarly elm, now up to 30mm plate and some bracing!

yeah, the ram is 3" and the rod is 1 1/2" - was an extended top link ram for a slurry pump lowering frame - has plenty of power as I found out when it bent the base plate going to replace the base plate with 3 pieces of heavy duty channel.

p.s. where in ayrshire you based

Live in Drongan but so all my welding/fabricating over at my old neighbours place just outside Patna.