My first splitter incident (no bodily harm)

So last weekend I had a large ugly crotch piece to split. It barely fit and I proceeded to push the wedge in. After some grunting, POP. Almost hit my nuggets. It bumped me hard but didn’t fly apart or anything. Then I reversed direction to get the wedge out of the mess. Cleared the wood and on the next piece, I notice this:



I have no ideas if it happens on the push or pull or @ the pop. I’ve owned this 10 years or so and haven’t even dinged the splitting edge or filed/sharpened it yet.

So my question is… how to fix. I’m thinking lots of heat to bend it back so it doesn’t crack when cold. Thoughts are appreciated.

 

I'd remove the cylinder to protect the seals. Get a rosebud and do exactly as you described. Have a bfh and some big wrenches to massage it back to original.


Mike in Okla

 

I did plan to remove the cylinder when it comes time. Are we talking red hot or near red hot? I have 2 big pipe wrenches and a piece of pipe that goes over the handle for leverage.

 

Whatever it takes to get it to move. As little as possible but as much as needed.


Mike in Okla

 

Thanks for the advice Mike.

 

Pics when done!


Mike in Okla

 

No, want video of it being repaired

 

If you buy a rosebud on FBMP or CL be aware, there is an acetylene version and a propane version. I think the propane tip is recessed? Definitely worth calling a welding shop to verify the difference.

 

Thanks for that Casper.

 

Wish I could offer advice.. I don’t know how to weld. I didn’t have the electricity to weld for years. And one of the best welders in the state was a mile down the road from me and his daughter is across the street.

I am a believer in BFH

 

If I need a weld, my son is very good at it. He recently passed certs at a new place and in a week will be making much more than I ever have.


His old job was welding dump truck suspension parts:

 

I like it!! Your kid can be what’s the word
Volun-told

 

Lol! Hopefully nothing needs welded. He does not have a welder but I have access to one if needed.

 

Just got done fixing a splitter that had a similar design and that whole side rail that was welded to the I-beam broke off. It’s not super sturdy and the factory welds were poor and only in limited spots on the inside. After getting it straight it might be wise to weld it up properly. Mine is a county line 40 ton

 

My black diamond 30 ton is tweaked like that, not quite as bad though.

Thats how i bought it though.. on clearance..
A pallet rack failed above it and a riding mower fell on it. Lol

 

My Champion did something pretty similar...I was able to use the ram to bend it back by wrapping a chain around both strippers and the wedge, with a piece of angle iron over the cutting edge of the wedge to protect it from the chain...then advance the wedge forward to bend it back in place.
There is a fine line between pulling the stripper back "in" (straight up) and starting to pull it forward with the wedge...take it easy, you'll be able to tell when its time to stop (I would run the engine a tick over idle so things happen slower, and you have less "destructive" power)
IIRC I think I put a block(s) in between the stripper on the other side (the straight one) and the wedge (or ram) to keep it from being pulled inward. This might all sound like a disaster waiting to happen, but it really is pretty quick and simple.

 

Similar but not quite. My entire side rail let go. As you can see in the pic the robotic weld was only holding in the last inch or so. Possibly it failed at another point in time and I never noticed. Was easy to put some bar clamps on there, pull it back and weld it full length.
You’ll need to determine if the weld cracked or bent.

 

No idea on how to fix and have have had a few pops come close to the family jewels. When it "strains' to split, ill stand sideways as i can deal with a bruise on my thigh better than one "elsewhere".
After my finger injury im giving second thoughts to sending gnarlies thought the hydro vs. noodling. Although i do enjoy watching and listening to it shear through some tough grain. Hope you get it fixed.

 

That's one of my favorite words.

 

My daughter has exact opposite opinion