How to build a Log Splitter?

[RonRock]

I'm thinking about building a gas powered hydraulic log splitter. I figured I'd see what the members have to advise before I begin. Any good plans? Or suggestions on how to build one?

 

[raley]

make it split the biggest thing possible... so you don't have to stop, re-cut the log, and then put it back in....

 

[steel 35]

This look like it works pretty well.

 

[930dreamer]

This look like it works pretty well.

That's a cool setup.

I have two 10 hp hydraulic tank and pump set ups (electric) I'd love to use for a log splitter, but not much of a Fab person though.

 

[tdkkart]

Unless you just happen to have 3/4 of the pieces in your inventory already, you can buy a new machine much cheaper than building one.

I bought a Speeco 28T a couple years ago, works great.
http://www.speeco.com/products.php?id=95

 

[ibedayank]

easy

hand the wife/kids a maul and splitting wedge





unless you have the motor and hydrolics it would be cheaper to just buy one

 

[sberry]

Yup, I have a fab shop and if my goal was to split wood I would tend to buy one, same for most common trailers.

 

[IDASHO]

Find and old splitter and rebuild it.

Going to be much cheaper and easier to do than building one from scratch.

I did just that a few years ago. Picked up on old splitter from gramps' when he passed away, and I brought it back.

It kicks ***, and it is nice to hold onto something with some history.

It hadnt been used for probably a decade. Though I remember using it as a child.

Now it routinely splits 5+ cord a year.

Here is a picture of it after the rebuild. Since I have upgraded the fluid capacity. It now has a 3 gallon hydraulic fluid tank. With the small original tank the fluid wold overheat after an hour or so of use.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The fastest ones, and relatively cheap and easy to build if you can locate all of the parts, are the "wheel of death" style log splitters !

 

[Jagmandave]

easy

hand the wife/kids a maul and splitting wedge

Or use this, much simpler!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=N1HZztie5ac

These seem fairly common in Europe...I found several variations on the theme..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=Sd_c_OYjFuA

This one is scary as hell, but seems to work, and shows that you don't need complicated hydraulics or even a lot of HP'''

and lastly this one shows you don't even need a motor, just some scrap metal and an old car spring!

 

[srmofo]

Personally Im a fan of the wheel of death type of splitters

Heres a similar concept excpet its driving a ram like a trains piston. You can see the 2 belts in the back.

And just a cool old one kinda thinking out of the box with any motors or hydros

 

[kbs2244]

A whole lot depends on the kind of wood you are going to split.
Out West there is usually small diameter logs, less that 24 inches, with pretty straight grain. Pine, Aspen, etc.
In the Midwest and East it is often large diameter. 36 to even 48 inches.
And often twisted grain Oak, Hickory, etc.

The big stuff needs more power and either a way to lift the wood up to working level, small wheels to get the ram down low, or a vertical ram.
(Some of that European stuff shown on the YouTubes I wouldn’t even bother to split.)

An under appreciated need is for the beam the ram slides on has to resist a lot of twisting pressure if you are going to be splitting twisted grain.

There are all kinds of plans and build logs on the internet.
Do your research with the kind of wood you are working with in mind.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Idasho, I have a splitter very similar to that, but it's green and seems to be an old Poulan. It belonged to an old guy and my step-dad got it when he passed away. I replcaed the engine with a new gas Honda, makes the world of difference.

Honestly, making one isn't that cheap anymore unless you get parts really cheap or are used old stuff. Finding a suitable I beam isn't easy as it used to be, a lot of small stuff has gotten scrapped out in the last few years. Hydraulic pumps and valving has gone up in prices. My 5 hp Honda cost me about 325 bucks. You'll need a tank for hydraulic oil and some custom length hoses, plus some type of tires/axle.

Don't get me wrong, quite a few guys have access to all that but I'd suggest trying to find and older splitter that you could buy cheap and possibly rehab and make usable.

 

[buildmyown]

http://www.arboristsite.com/ go to the firewood section and search there is enough info on that site to make your head spin.

 

[RonRock]

Getting some helpful thoughts here.

Good point on the type of wood being split. We are in Iowa, so as mentioned will likely be larger diameter, twisted grain.

This is actually going to be for my son. He and a friend of his are clearing some timber on a farm close by and selling the wood. So going to be a low bucks project.

I will have to check to be sure what all I have on hand. But pretty sure I will be able to come up with a beam. I have a good Kawasaki horizontal shaft engine, left over from a trash pump that froze and cracked the pump casting. Pretty sure I will have a cylinder and valve that will work. And tank and hoses should be no trouble.

So far nobody has said anything about design and specs on what is needed for a splitter. Sure I can look at one and start building, I just thought there'd be some ideas others have already been through.

 

[buildmyown]

Sorry cant help much on ideas or specs i dont use a Hyd. splitter but one of these
http://supersplit.com/

Is this going to be a one time use deal? If it is and depending on how much wood there is it might just be worth renting one for a weekend. If there is a lot of wood 50+cords it might be worth it to have someone come in with a processor.

 

[terry603]

a suggestion,,when you make it, have it split away from the trailor hitch,so you don't fill between the hitch and wheels with logs you split

 

[jake00]

here's a real splitter http://www.chomper.net/video/chomper-high.wmv

 

[GirlnAgarage]

and lastly this one shows you don't even need a motor, just some scrap metal and an old car spring!

I like this one. Wonder how it would do on oak, mesquite and pecan?

 

[claymont]

Getting some helpful thoughts here.

Good point on the type of wood being split. We are in Iowa, so as mentioned will likely be larger diameter, twisted grain.

This is actually going to be for my son. He and a friend of his are clearing some timber on a farm close by and selling the wood. So going to be a low bucks project.

I will have to check to be sure what all I have on hand. But pretty sure I will be able to come up with a beam. I have a good Kawasaki horizontal shaft engine, left over from a trash pump that froze and cracked the pump casting. Pretty sure I will have a cylinder and valve that will work. And tank and hoses should be no trouble.

So far nobody has said anything about design and specs on what is needed for a splitter. Sure I can look at one and start building, I just thought there'd be some ideas others have already been through.

Actually a person posted a link to a site that has manuals for all their models. There's a lot of good information in those manuals. This will give you an idea of what you can expect from different cylinder, pump, and motor sizes. The one thing, actually two, I will suggest is, use a return line filter and don't skimp on the hydraulic reservoir size.... it acts as a heat sink to keep the system from over heating. Clean, warm oil will greatly add to the life of the machine. These are commonly overlooked in home builds.
Here's the link to the site I mentioned, click on a picture and it will give the specs for each machine. You can also look at each machines manual this will give you an idea of what's needed to build a splitter: http://www.speeco.com/products.php?id=95

Here's a nice one:

And another:

 

[theoldwizard1]

This is actually going to be for my son. He and a friend of his are clearing some timber on a farm close by and selling the wood. So going to be a low bucks project.

Now we have some background !

Low buck operation by a couple of young bucks !

To maximize profit (unless you are DONATING the power equipment) if should be all manual. A couple of guys, with mauls (not axes) and some steel wedges can process a lot of wood ! The original "Monster Maul" (about 18 lbs with a steel handle) is no longer made, but there are knock offs available.

There are some things to remember when hand splitting.

Most green wood does not split easily. It would be better if it dried for a whole summer. If you can't wait that long, cut the logs to firewood length and wait until they are frozen. Like at least a week at below 20F. Frozen solid, they pop like they are dry.

The one video of the splitter with long arm with the car coil spring looks very interesting. Note there is a mechanism to hold the arm up, so the coil is uncompressed, when not in use. You need a lot of weight on the end of that arm.

 

[purplezr2]

Determine how long of lenths you will due will determine cylinder length

Determine how much force you want it to have will dictate pump pressure and cylinder bore

Speed you want will be dictate by pump GPM's

I will post more details later, I'm studying for a final right at the moment.

 

[IDASHO]

Idasho, I have a splitter very similar to that, but it's green and seems to be an old Poulan. It belonged to an old guy and my step-dad got it when he passed away. I replcaed the engine with a new gas Honda, makes the world of difference.

Mine had an old Briggs. I replaced it with a honda 5.5

Quite the work horse

 

[PhantomEB]

Frick I lucky the wood mill I go camping near is only 3 hours away, and I frequent that area 3-5 times a year and usually bring back a quarter cord or so of cut split and dried wood for 10 bucks each time. Got more than enough wood for the next three years bonfires in the backyard.

 

[VairKing]

Don't build one to save money. I have lots of hours into mine, I had the axle, motor, and some of the steel and still spent over $1000 to build.

http://stores.daltonhydraulic.com/-strse-Logsplitter-Components/Categories.bok

The above site has everything you need at very competitive prices.

The only thing I need to change on mine is the tail foot, I bolted 4 3/8 steel plates together cause I had them vs buying a solid 1.5" steel plate, and the bolted plate has started to bend. So when I get time I will cut it off and weld on a solid plate. Mine tilts just like the ones at the store, but is much more heavy duty. I chose to spend extra money on hose length to get the engine as far away as possible from me when I am using it, and I am glad I did. Noisy stinky etc.

Motor: 5.5 hp Honda
Pump: 2 stage, 11 gpm Hi, 3 gpm Low
Valve has detent for return
4" bore cylinder 24" Stroke
Table on one side to hold large logs
10 gallon resivoir made from 4x6" tubing

 

[RonRock]

That looks good, Vairking. Thanks for the link, I'll take a look at that site.

How does it pull behind the vehicle? Are they heavy enough that they don't bounce all over the road?

Thanks for giving the specs, gives me something to work from.

 

[kbs2244]

You can literally break your back lifting large dia logs up to a waist high splitter.
Not something I recommend.

Options are a vertical mount of the ram, or a hydraulic lifting arm for the logs.
(Don’t forget a table of some kind on the far side to catch the other half of the split.)

But my favorite splitter was one that fit one the arms of a Bobcat.
It used the hydraulics of the Bobcat and was hinged so that it could be used lifted up to waist height and the common way with the beam under the log.
But you could flip it over so the beam and ram would be over the log.
That let you lower the splitter down over a log laying on the ground.
No lifting.

If you have a Bobcat or tractor with a lift and hydraulics you may be able to do the same.

http://bobcatlogsplitter.com/

Note the video.

Also, an old style chain and paddle grain elevator makes a great way to load a truck or wagon with the split wood.

 

[VairKing]

Mine tows down the road fine, although it will bounce a little, I assume they all do, I have never seen one with any leaf springs or any sort of suspension.

I wanted mine waist high as the low ones hurt my back from bending over slightly to operate for hours at a time vs standing up straight. If the log is too heavy to lift I simply set it aside until I get a decent pile, then I tilt it vertically and split them in half or quarters if they are really large, then tilt it back horizontally and finish splitting horizontally, as the table and the work height are much easier on my back.

Don't forget the cost of hydraulic oil, you will need approx 10 gallons, and I think its over $5/gallon, seems like the stuff I got was more like $8/gallon = extra $80

 

[moose13]

I built this one and am glad i built my own. I had all of the steel and trailer house axle.
Still have $1200+ in it. But its better built and faster than a store bought model similar in price. I split 7-8 cords this year and it works like a champ!

 

[Joe69]

When I bought my house, the previous owner left a POS log splitter behind the barn. I reused the cylinder, valve, and tank. The rest, I trashed. I bought a Harbour Freight 6.5hp engine for $100, and a 2 stage pump for about $120, and the engine to pump mount for $36. The hoses came from a local supplier. Most of the steel came from the scrap at work. The trailer part is an old sign trailer from work that are obsolete, and can't be used on highway jobs anymore. My boss gave me that. I'm sure I have less than $400 in it, and Tractor supply ones are about $1200. But, much of mine was free.

Here's a couple of pics.

Joe

 

[finn]

Northern Hydraulics has (or had) a paperback book on how to build a hydraulic log splitter. I have one around here somewhere, but ended up picking up a (well) used splitter for $500.

I'd never be able to build one for that.

Northern has all the parts, except probably except the beam and hoses.

 

[Wood Splitter Plans]

Seems to be a pretty popular question, no doubt a great option for lowering the heat bill. Log Splitter Plans are available in several options for pretty low prices. Options include Horizontal Log Splitters, Vertical Log Splitters, and 3-Point Log Splitters. For the fastest production of firewood I recommend the Horizontal Log Splitter Plans as seen here.

There is also a 3-Point Attachment Wood Splitter Plans option as seen here

Hope these can help those in a venture to build their own firewood splitter. Spark up the romance and get that fireplace cooking!

 

[chrispyny]

for those like joe69 who found a crappy logsplitter already, and spent far less than a new one to rebuilt it, awesome ..

I have to say one thing that the OP may not like to hear, as he didn't ask which new splitter to buy, but how to build his own splitter...

Generally, if cost and time are concerns, Tractor Supply has 22 ton splitters for sale occasionally for $899. I purchased one. Its red, and the 2nd gen version with the engine on the far side of the operator. I guess you would call it the driver side when being towed.

I live in NY and we have some crazy hard woods. I have frequently borrowed splitters in the past. Big to small, very heavy to moderately heavy. All have been nice but NONE are as nice as my Tractor Supply $900 splitter.

This 22 ton beast splits the knarliest of woods, oak, elm, pine, maple, box elder, etc and won't stop. It SIPS gas, and is VERY easy to move around because it's stout yet LIGHT.

I welded up a log rack from some old discarded telco central office racking and saved $60 which is what Tractor Supply wants for their bolt on version. The rack both protects the engine from falling logs and also holds logs in prep for splitting. I think i may add some expanded metal grating to it this summer to keep smaller logs from falling between the bars.

If you are looking for a project, cool, build one from scratch or rebuild a junker. I get it. If you just want something thats affordable, yet durable, light, and strong, these Tractor Supply splitters are BEASTS.

 

[SteveH-CO]

I built mine on a '36? Chevy truck frame that had been narrowed for use as a trailer. I bought all the stuff (save the engine and a PTO log splitter ram and rail) from Northern Tool. I spent $700, and it works well, but I certainly didn't save any money. With my trailer frame, I do have leaf springs, and can tow my log splitter at 75 on the freeway and it doesn't go airborne on every bump. I later installed a 7.8 hp Generac generator engine that is OHV and much quieter and efficient than the worn-out old 8 hp Briggs I had on there. I installed a 10 gallon hyd. oil tank into which I put 5 gallons of oil, which stays cool.

I agree with all the others - either buy new, or rehab a used one (if you can find a cheap one). Building mine was fun and educational, but not any cheaper.

 

[sberry]

Did you ever build it?

I agree with all the others - either buy new, or rehab a used one (if you can find a cheap one). Building mine was fun and educational, but not any cheaper.

As I mention, I can but don't always build. I went way too long with a couple attempts and fartsticking around, finally bought one ready to work and was using it 5 minutes later.
I am not scared to build or especially modify, repair either but if I want to use it we first consider buying and so much of the engineering is done.
I am going to look at a used specialty stove for this reason, I am going to reman it but the design is fussy and has been worked out for a couple decades, it would be so much trial and error that it makes sense to fix an old one.

 

[gungatim]

Northern Hydraulics has (or had) a paperback book on how to build a hydraulic log splitter. I have one around here somewhere, but ended up picking up a (well) used splitter for $500.

I'd never be able to build one for that.

Northern has all the parts, except probably except the beam and hoses.

old thread, I know, but I buought that book and built a splitter from the plans many years ago. I had most of the parts and used my FEL on the tractor as the pump, so all I bought was the cylinder, valve, splitting wedge, and some hoses and black pipe to reach the front of the tractor. (made it 3pt. version).

I scanned the book to pdf for a buddy who also built one.

all I can say is it was fun, it worked well, and I only had a couple hundred bucks into it, not including time, consumables, and the scrap metal I already had...I sold it to a guy a few years ago who still uses it (I found a nice used towable unit that didn't need the tractor tor replace it).

pic is from 2001...

 

[fowldarr]

I don't have any advice, but it brings back memories of my grandfathers homemade log splitter. It was built out of parts scavenged from the railroad (where they all worked). It was the first machine that I found truly terrifying.

I remember that it was built with a truck axle and springs to support it, and the body was a piece of rail. I have no idea what happened to it, I would love to have it though.

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

Find and old splitter and rebuild it.

Going to be much cheaper and easier to do than building one from scratch.

I did just that a few years ago. Picked up on old splitter from gramps' when he passed away, and I brought it back.

It kicks ***, and it is nice to hold onto something with some history.

It hadnt been used for probably a decade. Though I remember using it as a child.

Now it routinely splits 5+ cord a year.

Here is a picture of it after the rebuild. Since I have upgraded the fluid capacity. It now has a 3 gallon hydraulic fluid tank. With the small original tank the fluid wold overheat after an hour or so of use.

Wow, my dad has the exact same splitter and it belonged to grandpa before that. It has worn out two motors and is currently running with a honda pressure washer engine on it though. Amazingly it has had very little done to it other than some modifications that one of my dads buddies made to it a couple years ago to raise it up higher while splitting and added a table on both sides of the wedge to catch wood as it splits. That thing has to be 30+ years old as I am 35 and can remember helping and watching when I was really young on my grandpas farm.

 

[Pitalplace]

I built this one from an old Farmhand loader and only bought the cylinder and valve. I did also buy the wedge and added the wings on each side. You said that you had most of the parts so I say go for it.

 

[turbodave]

Wow, my dad has the exact same splitter and it belonged to grandpa before that. It has worn out two motors and is currently running with a honda pressure washer engine on it though. Amazingly it has had very little done to it other than some modifications that one of my dads buddies made to it a couple years ago to raise it up higher while splitting and added a table on both sides of the wedge to catch wood as it splits. That thing has to be 30+ years old as I am 35 and can remember helping and watching when I was really young on my grandpas farm.

It looks like the Didier splitter my father in law has. And same thing still going strong. I repowered it with a 6.5hp harbor freight engine a few years ago. I think they were sold through Montgomery Wards or one of the other big department stores back in the 70's