Log wagon hydraulics

I'm building a log trailer on a 10 ton set of wagon running gear. My plan is to use a power steering pump and ice auger powerhead/gearbox to run it. The auger turns 250 rpm, which is a bit slow. I might see if I can remove one set of gears from the gearbox and get 1000 rpm out of it for some decent speed.

My reasoning for doing this is because it seems like the best way to power the lift. A battery and winch wouldn't last very long, because I helped a guy set his up for a winch and it absolutely destroyed the battery.

 

Why not just (basically) use a big pulley on the motor and a little one on the p/s pump?
I don't have it handy but there are pulley ratio charts available online.
Do a little build thread
Sounds interesting.

 

Here ya go
Belt and Pulley Ratio Calculator

 

I would like to use direct drive for simplicity and reliability.

 

Following....I too have a older JD 930? running gear that would be a good candidate. They used to equip them with tilt type barge wagons for grain. This sounds like a great project! Only downside is the running gear wagon is a bear to back up without lots of experience or trial and error.

 

It was always fun when we would unload hay in the barn and the younger guys helping would take me up on my offer to let them drive the tractor with hay wagon and watch their frustrations trying to back it up! I told them not to feel bad some people can never get the hang of it. Still to this day I am anything but an expert!

 

I was going to use a remote reservoir. It doesn't have to be very big, just enough for the swept volume of the rod. The hoist has a reservoir in the tower already, so no fab work there.

I have a tandem axle trailer I could bob down, but then I can only use the truck. It would be nice to use either vehicle if the trip home is flat. Granted, I could set up the truck to run hydraulics and then just plug the wagon in, but then I have over 50 feet of hydraulic hose to worry about.

 

I use batteries and winches all the time. If a winch is killing a battery something is broke, either the winch or the battery.

 

How long would you expect to run a battery and 2500 lb winch without charging? The duty cycle limits me a bit too.

 

Well, I charge mine about once a month. The one on my trailer stays charged pretty much by the truck when driving. Deep Cycle Marine batteries.

 

How much use does that battery see? I don't see a battery lasting a day of lifting logs, let alone a full hour.

 

Hydraulic stuff is something I play with a lot.
I too have considered converting my hay wagon. If I ever could quit piling junk on it that stays forever. Flat place magnet for “stuff”.

Picking up logs will be a heavy lift.

I suggest considering a wood splitter type arrangement or a 12 volt hydraulic power unit. They are cheap.
You could even put a splitter on it and a selector valve to switch to the dump cylinder(s). I would prefer two cylinders for stability.
Some of the reservoir capacity can be gained by plumbing the return back to the cylinder. As the rod pushes out, the fluid fills behind the piston as you know. When the other direction”down”, is used, the fluid fills in the opposite side as the rod/piston retracts.
This lets us use the little 1 or 2 gallon 12 volt hydraulic units on dumps, snow plows,etc.
You only need the reserve capacity of the rod and piston size plus a bit more for safety. The “opposite” side of the cylinder becomes a tank as the rod moves in and out.

The reservoir on a splitter is not needed per se for capacity but heat dissipation for continuous use.
A dump cylinder only has intermittent use so heat doesn’t generate.
As far as the battery, the deep cycle one on my old dump trailer would last a long time without charging. I’d say 10 good dumps in one day easily. I finally wired a quick connect up so it got a charge from the tractor while being towed. Always stayed charged.
I’ll shut up now. Long winded tonight.
Lenny


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The longest I ever went with this unit winching logs on and dumping them at home,,,,two loads a day and a month without charging except for the five minute drive back and forth. I would plug it in nightly but it was about a month before I realized the cord through the basement window was unplugged LOL. 5500lb winch



The log arch has no charge unless I plug it in. 4500lb winch. I run that thing for weeks without bothering to plug it in. Never ran a battery dry on either. Poor battery on the log arch has been cracked and melted together three times already. Lost acid every time. I’m surprised that one hasn’t given me issues yet.
I understand your concern. I had the same when I was dreaming this stuff up. Even read test reports saying winches will kill batteries fast. Full of bunk IMO. Cheap winch’s pushed to thier limits May kill batteries. A good winch used within its parameters won’t. I’ve been using the arch daily to ferry logs back and forth to the splitter. Haven’t plugged it in in weeks. Probably won’t for a few more weeks. Car batteries are probably a different story. I wouldn’t run a winch off a car battery unless it was recovery only.
Hey build what you want. Hydraulics are probably a better method.

 

Sweet log getter Jo.

 

What size and kind of battery are you using? You have my full attention now.

 

Just a Napa Marine/RV dual purpose deep cell battery for the log arch. I imagine the one on the trailer is similar. It’s never been out so I can’t really see what it says.
I did try a car battery on the arch at first. Coincidentally there was one near me when I needed it. It was from a recently abandoned truck on my property involved in a crime. Police told me the state was going to drag it and crush it so I swiped the battery. It couldn’t hold a charge very long. Could have been a bad battery I have no idea.
Generally speaking anytime you want to use a battery as a power source you go for a deep cell. Standard car batteries just are t designed to do that kind of work,
Still think a decent hydraulic system would be the way to go. Maybe buy an old logsplitter to scavenge the parts?
Good winches aren’t cheap and cheap winches arent good LOL

 

I already have the winch. I think its a badlands 2500. Its been on my truck for years as a plow lift.

 

I’ll be blunt. You won’t be happy trying to pick logs up in the air with a Badlands 2500
Are you trying to build a crane arm?
Have you considered a simple stationary arm like on my trailer? A hay wagon is considerably higher than a dump trailer. That’s a consideration. But no moving parts to break.