I’m tossing around ideas in my head at the moment (I know, this usually doesn’t end well) My County Line 25 ton has served me very well for the past year and a half or so. I’m wondering if I can make it better though by converting it to a push through design for when I’m dealing with elm or other hard to split pieces. Hypothetically I could cut the foot off the end of the I-beam, weld a wedge in its place and put a push plate in place of the splitting wedge on the ram. A little bit of work but nothing I can’t handle. BUT... once I do that, there’s no going back. So would it be that much of a hair brained idea to make a bolt on conversion kit that I can swap out if need be? Drill and tap some mounting holes in the splitter foot to bolt a wedge of sorts to, and make a pusher plate that’s a direct bolt on once I remove the factory splitting wedge from the ram? Does this sound reasonable/feasible or is it a lofty, impractical pipe dream that I should leave well enough alone?
I think an T.Jeff Veal mod would be better, allowing a bit of push through without cutting off the base.
Ahhh you’re right, I have vague memories of him fabricating up something for his splitter not too long ago. I figured someone would’ve thought of doing this at some point...
Agreed...once you cut that foot off it will never be as strong again...unless it is professionally welded and reinforced maybe...but as for bolt on, no, it won't hold...heck if you look around at well used 20 ton + splitters, its not that uncommon to see the foot a lil bent...bolts don't stand a chance IMO...
FIFY Russ. C'mon Eric Schamell you know everybody needs at least two splitters right? I would do exactly what T.Jeff Veal & I think Erik B did & build the simple block for the wedge to push through. Way easier & cheaper, as well as very effective.
Who likes elm This one which is similar to t.jeff veal's, it's actually Erik B's I like this because it's a slip on. Put it on when needed, pull it off when not.
I tried tubing at first, but it bent. It was bolted on, since I don't have a welder. Erik B's is nice, though, easy on/off. I have only had to take ours off once or twice, for a customer that wants 24-25" long splits. Either design works great. We have had some hickory that came from the same place, some stringy, some straight grained.
The 'tube' pieces on the one that I made came from upright stakes on a logging truck. Something had happened to them as they were bent but I got a couple small straight pieces from it for my build.
I spent a ton of time on "free" steel making a second beam to swap out with the factory beam. I machined it, welded and assembled a cutting edge with a slip over 4 way. It worked great, right to to the point a kotty piece twisted it. I started a new wedge and different beam design. The I-beam I used worked, but it flexed a little. New design is boxed tubing with an internal spine welded in. Will Posted pics when I get around to finishing. I will be able to reuse the pusher and that had the most time involved, especially after dropping the cylinder attach points. It was too high. Here's a few pics and a video pre-fail. Post fail... New wedge made from A36 plate:
