Hey buddy, will you give me a lift?

Yeah I have a feeling that may be the deal breaker...

 

Was thinking the same thing... rig a cable to pull the log lift up when you need it w/ quick and easy attach points.

 

Saw a comment about using "crop dryer" motors. Those are "air over" fan motors and use the fan for cooling.

 

I have TEFC compressor motor now...I guess I'm not pickin up what you throwin down?

 

This is where I saw dryer motor.

 

Yeah I never got there before they sold them, and haven't looked for any recently, but I'll probably pick up a slightly larger motor, if I come across the right deal, but for now the lil "5 hp compressor special" seems to do the job ok.
Note to anyone considering a 5 hp 220v compressor motor for a log splitter in the future, look at the FLA on the motor, if it says 15-16, that's more like 4hp, and it will run a 16gpm splitter pump, but just barely. If you think you're gonna need a full 3000psi (you don't) then 15-16A/220V won't cut it. Something closer to 20FLA will be better.
Edit: Oh I see now what you were getting at with the grain dryer motors...no self cooling.

 

I knew of a dryer motor put on a air compressor. Ran great, pumped fast and melted as the guy was out back sandblasting.

 

Well, I found the limit of my log lifter today...or at least part of the linkage...this turnbuckle darn near straightened out enough to pop off! I couldn't figure out why the lift wouldn't come up enough to pin it in "table" mode...but it became apparent on the next log when I went to hook the cable back into the wedge and the turnbuckle fell off the pulley! That was an eye hook previously!
I'll bend it back and tack a lil weld on there as I feel like this one is overall stronger than the one I put on just to finish the day out.

Splitting up a big ole eab killed ash tree from work...the round that tried to kill my lift was headed toward 30" diameter.

 

I weld eye bolts and things like that because they straighten out pretty easy. I used eye screws in my walk in cooler and they would straighten with me hanging and lightly bouncing on the rods. A nice weld took care of that.

 

Great thread.

Also:

Lol. I have this sticker on my compressor:

 

That Australian red gum is tough wood; termites can’t eat it..