Just curious if anyone has rigged a foot control for their garden-variety log splitter, such as the Dirty Hands/Huskee/County Line type? I’ve kicked some ideas around, using rods and/or cables, but wanted to see what ideas others had. I know the foot control would mean more focus on hand and finger safety, but I make a point of never handing wood by the ends, and a foot control would make working by myself somewhat more efficient. Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated!
Something like this? 2pcs Pedal Control Two-way Foot Valve Breaker Hammer Hydraulic Foot Pedal Valve | eBay
Maybe, although I was thinking along a mechanical linkage line. I keep thinking about a treadle pedal with a sleeved cable, like a large throttle cable, just to do the split stroke, but get stuck on how to have enough slack to be able to move the lever for a return stroke.
I'm thinking your just asking for problems from a mechanical foot pedal. At the very least, adjustments galore.
Not exactly what you're looking for, but this is how I did my 5-ton electric. Food for thought. Stupidly simple, cheap and reliable.
Shouldn't be too hard...get a control cable like is used on heavy equipment/trucks/etc (should be able to order from Grainger and/or McMaster-Carr ) and a big spring to make it return...adjust the pivot points so that the pedal throw doesn't have to be too long, then you could do the "poor mans stroke limiter" with a rope or small cable strung between the log strippers at the proper length to stop the return stroke...I'll see if I can find one...I know several people have posted pics of their stroke limiters here in the past (TurboDiesel was one IIRC) EDIT: here...Splitter mods and here Splitter mods
I seriously considered a foot control for a while. Once I started actually messing with it, I realized that it was very redundant and more of a pain than the handle. Detent return makes it even more so. I abandoned it and just use the lever.
