New to me splitter

Good morning all. I just got my hands on what I believe to be around a 20 year old splitter, in remarkable condition for the age. Long story short, a good friend and neighbors house exploded, and he has declared he isn't planning to heat with wood in the rebuild. He told me to take the splitter.

So anyway, it probably has not been run in 2 years. He preferred to split by hand, so it sat a lot between uses. Around 2 years ago he put a cheap chinese carb on it, and said it was never right after that. I only made sure it spins, did not waste gas trying to start. I have ordered an OEM carb. Also replacing fuel lines, shut off valve, oil, spark plug, air filter cartridge, and air filter foam. Also the hydro filter, as it appears to have the original still in place. I have used this splitter before I had my own, and I recall the auto return detent not always holding, I have researched a few tricks for that.

Anyway, my question here, is does anyone have experience with this weird shim system it has? It seems more complicated then things need to be, the blocks fall out, and I am thinking of just replacing it with a nice stout bracket. Any reason I shouldn't? The contraption in question is the third pic.

Edit to add: The explosion was not directly caused by the wood burner. A car hit his gas meter and filled the house with gas. There were multiple ignition sources available, and things went bad quickly. Everyone got out, and the only minor injury was a nearby deputy.

 

My neighbor has a splitter like that...he has issues with it breaking the bolts on the wedge slide bracket thingamabob there...

 

The info about the shims would be helpful. I looked around a little online, and it looks like they are just 5/8 bar stock. I haven't asked my buddy if he might have the book. Only chance is if it is in the garage, which is also totaled, but still standing. He has enough to worry about right now. If it's easier, you could just take a picture of those pages and post them? Maybe I will make up a set and put them in, and do something different if it is a problem down the road.

 

Glad your friend ok!!

 

Thanks. It was one hell of a night, and not in a good way.

 

I have a White Equipment version. It's 28 yrs old and the I-beam is showing some wear where the gibs ride. Thinking of welding the worn area back up and milling it flush with the unworn parts.

Thread drift...

Is this the one on WKYC where the guy who hit the gas main fled and was caught/turned himself in a few days later?

House explodes in Vermilion after vehicle crashes into gas meter

 

Wow! So glad to hear no serious injuries, but what a loss. No real help on the splitter, but it looks simple enough.

 

Yes, that's the one. I was about 100 feet away when it blew, driving away with my buddy who didn't even have time to get dressed. I was just clear of the debris field. Fire page first, less then 30 seconds later call from him. It was -6 at the time.

 

So in the saga of the splitter, I think I am missing a governor/throttle spring. I think there should be a fine spring that goes where the throttle links up to the carb. It seems like it is running too fast. There is a spring on the diagram that I do not have. I may order the spring, and I will order a tach if I can find out what speed it is supposed to run at. Briggs engine #0195412 1137 01. The spring in question is item 232 on the Briggs diagram, if anyone has any words of wisdom. With the new carb and other parts on it started right up, just need to get things just right.

 

Is it the 5hp industrial B&S?

 

I seen that explosion on the news glad the splitter and family made it out ok...

 

It is an 8 horse.

 

So after installing the missing spring, it made no discernable difference. Took it to an old friend of my father's that has a small local shop. $25 later it doesn't sound much different, but I can see where he moved all the adjustments, and said he set it at 3600 rpm, so I am comfortable running it. A couple more tweaks to that gib thingy, and it will split wood side by side with my huskee.

 

Well, the kids seemed happy with the faster cycle times, they ran a tank of gas through it. Tried flipping the shaft on the control lever, but it still won't hold in return position. Still have to change hydraulic filter and fluid before I tinker with that more. Overall very happy.

 

adjust log splitter detent - Bing video

 

Yeah, it just has to wait it's turn though. Maybe this weekend, but I have to take care of the charred maples from the explosion house this weekend, before I will get a chance to fire up a splitter again. Dropped them last night, and got them out of the way, heavy demolition and cleanup equipment is supposed to show up this week. Always something going lately....

 

Yeah, I mean how busy could be right after your friend's house blows up right? Patience dwyleecoyote , stuff'll get done in due time.