Log splitter build

Success!

Once I buy choke and throttle cables I'll have maybe $50 into the engine more than what the HarborFreight v-twin would have cost me... Should make that up in fuel savings pretty quick. And being liquid cooled it should be quieter.

 

I looked at some of the mufflers off deere gators and 445/425 tractors. All the ones I saw used a header before the muffler so they wouldn't have been a direct bolt on either. I ended up picking the cheapest one I could find.

There is quite a difference in muffler prices between manufacturers. Kohler seems to have the cheapest.

 

Here's what I picked up for the 4 way post.

It's 2x5 x 3/8" box tube for the inner post. I'd like to have the post 16" tall.

I will make a bolt on plate that goes on the top of the post to tie it to the wedge in front.


Think it will be strong enough? Or should I get a piece of 1x4 flat stock to put inside of it?

 

I'm pretty sure the gas tank will be strong enough.

 

It will hold just over 2 gallons. Would have like a little more but that's all I could cut off the beam since i decided to use a 36" cylinder.

 

I'd go with it. Bet you know a guy who could repair it if it gets torn off anywho... (it won't)

 

yeah I think that might be a high pressure gas tank right there

 

My "gut" says it's strong enough, but I'm not a structural engineer, or any kind of engineer for that matter. I had a similar (self) question on that log winch I just built. The main frame is 6X6X.25 wall tube. I don't know what it's called but I drilled through and inserted and welded a pc. of 3/4 round stock in both dimensions. You could do the same but only on your 2" dimension. I believe that this will make your tube "act" more like a solid bar by joining the sides together.

 

Too had your not close. I have a beem that is almost 1" think, about 20" tall, 16" flats. 12ft piece is 2000ush lbs.

 

Not really understanding what I was doing I put some numbers into an online calculator for cantilevered end beams. And simple beams...

With 60000lbs at 12" my 2x5x3/8 tube would deflect around .08". At 16" it deflect .21". If I attach it to the wedge in front and treat it as a beam supported at both ends deflection at the midpoint of the post would be something like .004 inches.

I don't really understand the allowable yield stresses but they were in the red for the cantilevered calculations, And That doesn't take into account any cyclic loading or metal fatigue.

Conclusion:
Bolting the wedge to the post would probably work, but...

What's another few bucks? I'm going to get a piece of flat stock for the inside of the post. I'll plug weld the sides and weld the ends together. I should be able to able to leave it cantilevered and not have to mess with bolting the post to the wedge every time I want to switch from a 4 way to a 6 or 8 way wedge.

 

A little more progress
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After thinking about it for a while I decided to move the axle to the back of the splitter. It gives me more room to move around with the wheels out of the way... I don't think I've seen a splitter laid out like this before; with the wheels under the wedge and the tongue on the opposite end. But it makes sense to me.

I should be able to reach the logs on the to be built out feed table easily to pull them back for re splitting if necessary. I made the beam height 33" because it feels right to me.

 

I made the wedge 17" high and notched the beam for the wedge and 4 way post.

 

I bolted the axle on so I can move it if is in a bad place. Or later upgrade to a torsion axle if someone wants to tow it on the highway a lot

The push plate is almost done. 12" tall made out of 1" plate (it's what I had)

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Hopefully I will finish the welds and paint the frame over the holiday. I've used almost 20lbs of 7018 already. Need to pick up another 10.

 

Isn't working with new steel nice? Looks good Mike... you're coming along. Always loved prepping pieces to weld up with new stuff... mostly cause I never really learned how to weld. Can use all the help I can get... Your welds look great.

 

A little more progress.

I made the rear table removable to save space when it's in the barn. Also made the side tables interchangeable so I can swap which side the log lift is on.

 

Aren't you havin' a ball there Mike! Looks good...