I got a heavy skid to place the splitter on yesterday . This project is gonna have to be moved in and out of the shop as I have time to work on it. Gathered some iron for the legs and fork pockets. Ordered the necessities from Northern Tool yesterday. I shopped around online and Northern had about the best deal on everything except the engine.Had a coupon code and I'm a member of their Hotline club which saved me about $120. Gonna order the engine from Tulsa Engine today. Engine pump and tank build kit I had found was $175 more. All parts and engine so far total $1128 $275 for the splitter. I expect to have about another $200 into hoses and all the metal is basically free out of my fab shop. Looks like under $1500 for a heavy duty 36" splitter. A lot less than $4-$5 K for a new one. Me likey !! Ran some numbers and it looks like it will have about a 13 second cycle time. Today I'm gonna surgically remove the 3 point hitch paraphernalia and unbolt the wedge. I'm gonna have a buddy turn it into a 5 way wedge.
Got the 3 pt hitch paraphernalia off and the red neck control extension . Had thought about welding the legs on but think I'll wait till I can lay the tank and engine out so I don't have to refab . Measure twice weld once .
Got all the goods in the last 2 days . Tonight I got everything out and made sure the pump and engine would mount up with bracket. Everything's kosher. Should have time to get the engine bolted to a mounting plate and test fire this weekend.
Got back legs ,motor and tank mount tacked on and lined up this weekend. Added some 1/2"poly between tank and mount to take out some vibration. Need some gussets to stiffen things up here and there. Scrounged up some more steel . Think I'll wait till table is made to make the wedge end leg . Might make it adjustable . Need idea for feet . May just use some short pieces of 6x6 angle that I have laying around.
Looking good. I scrounged a bracket out of the dumpster at work to make a table for mine. Been looking for a few months to find one.
