Cylinder size?

Some of you are familiar with my electric 4 way wood splitter. It has a 4" cylinder, but I have been thinking more and more about putting a 3" cylinder on it. The cycle time would be about half compared to the 4" cylinder. The tonnage would go down to 10 tons , but I don't see more than 5 tons on 90+% of the pieces anyway, even with the 4 way. It would kick down more for the actual split, but would go right back to high speed as soon as the wood cracked open.

Am I nuts for wanting to go smaller?

 

For several reasons I think that's a bad idea.

1. Instead of decreasing the cylinder, why don't you replace the pump? That way not only do you increase the flow but you increase the overall power too.
2. It's less work to do #1 than it is to reduce the size of the cylinder. Those things are heavy and cumbersome.
3. I have a 34-ton Champion and the cycle time is 16 seconds and I have no problem with that at all. In fact it auto-retracts too fast for me to remove the splits or reposition them. I'm in no rush and I'm assuming you are not selling firewood.
4. It will probably cost less to do the pump too. Would be a nice time to replace the hydraulic fluid and filter.

 

I am not familiar with your splitter.
Do you have any pictures? I would be interested to see what it is.

 

I have a 3” cylinder run by a 12hp engine and 18gpm pump. It’s faster than I can handle. Most of the time it’s running just above idle. If you lose focus you lose fingers.

 

Video is below

1. If I replace the pump, I need a bigger motor. I am using a 3hp 240v motor with 100 ft cord. A 5hp motor would require a bigger cord and much more expense.
2. Changing the cylinder is a piece of cake compared to swapping the pump.
3. My cycle time is 11-12 seconds. It's too slow. I would love to sell firewood.
4. The cylinder is definitely cheaper. My fluid is brand new, just put it in last year.

 

Thanks for the video.

 

2 seconds out and 1.5 seconds back. Nice! My rule is to never put your fingers where they can get hurt in the first place. Set the log on the table and roll it into place or just drop it in. No fingers on the ends when it's in the splitter.

 

Nope.
As you said, you rarely need the big tonnage anyways...might as well enjoy some speed most of the time.
Once you put the new cylinder on put some gauges on it and adjust your pump pressures to maximize the speed and power...they are often set lower than specs.
JRHAWK9 and I were just discussing this topic on his splitter recently too...

 

yeah, I have a 40 ton (9.5 sec cycle time) and I don't need close to that tonnage. I literally can shear the wood and the pump never kicks down to the second stage. I hear the motor dig in and the thing just powers right through it. I don't even think I've seen even close to 500psi on my gauge yet either. That big cylinder really packs a punch. IMO, too big for a single wedge.

If I replaced my 5.25" cylinder with a 4", this would be my cycle time:



This would be the cycle time with a 4.5" cylinder:



Hydraulic Cylinders | RuggedMade

 

Bigger pump means bigger motor in most cases.

Are you related to Sloths?

 

wow, now that's fast!

 

I'd like to see a video of that!
I'd think that'd build some serious heat in the oil!

 

There was a painful learning curve that included detached bits, pins and stitches.

 

An automatic return would save you serious time.

 

I put a gauge on it when I built it.

 

I think I would try the smaller cylinder, what have you got to lose,
3" with a 2" rod would be quick!

Worse case, if you don't lije it you can still swap it easily to what you have now