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[stewie3500]

I finished the outfeed table.

[stewie3500]

Mounted the engine and started plumbing.

[stewie3500]

Finished the plumbing and routing the hoses.

[stewie3500]

The two spool hydraulic valve i ordered had the detent located on the opposite end of the spool for the main cylinder. To resolve the issue i mounted the control handles upside down. I also shortened the handle for the wedge lift.

[stewie3500]

The build is coming to an end. I will fill it with hydraulic fluid and check for leaks. Hopefully tomorrow i can try it out. I will post some pics of the progress, and of course, any modification it requires. The next step is to modify a grain elevator to load the split wood into a dump trailer.

Thanks for the views and the feedback.

Stewie

[sceptre74]

Looking good. Job well done

[stewie3500]

So, The trial run of the splitter went well as far as its function is concerned, however, it revealed one weakness. The axle was built from 2" SCH 40 Black iron pipe and proved to be far too weak to support the weight of the machine on a rough gravel road. Here is a pic and the repair that followed.

[slimjim]

OOPS!

[stewie3500]

I cut the spindles off the pipe and welded them in the center of 1/2'' plate.

[stewie3500]

Then,

I attached the 1/2'' plate to 3/8'' x 3" box tubing.

[stewie3500]

The four way wedge splits as i had hoped and the outfeed table catches wood. I will post pics of it splitting with the conveyor in place as soon as the conveyor is finished.

[cando attitude]

Very nice build there Stewie.  I really appreciate you taking the time to share your project with us and posting pics along the way.  I also really like the wood catch table you built for it.  Makes me want to try to modify mine in a similar fashion.  Currently I split and grab quickly so the pieces don't fall off on my toes.

 

[mildot1]

Super Job! Your attention to detail and design is better than factory.  Was wondering if you would share what you used for motor and pump and if you did achieve the cycle time you expected?

[mlappin]

I had an old ear corn elevator that we used to handle firewood when I still had a firewood processor. First thing we had to do was replace the bottom section of the elevator where the wood landed as the this sheetmetal gave way very shortly, replaced it with a piece of 10 gauge, then we took some 3/8 rod, placed a ninety degree bend in one about two inches long and ran that thru a small piece of black pipe. then let the long end hang down and contact the floor of the elevator, did this so a small piece couldn't slip down into the boot of the elevator and jam the paddles when they came around. I can snap a picture of it if you want as i still have the elevator, used a slow running hydraulic motor to run it.

[stewie3500]

mildot1,

Thanks for the comments, I used a honda gx 390 that i picked up used from a pressure washer setup that was not properly winterized. I paid $50 for it. "Right place at the right time". The pump is a barnes haldex 22 gpm two stage. The cycle times are very close to what i had originally figured. I set the rpm @ 3600 and the use of straight fittings vs 90's helped with the flow and heat. I have since changed the design of the 4 way wedge and will post pics when i get time. The original design was made with 1/2'' plate and was not strong enough. It finally showed its weakness on knarly maple. I made the new wedge with 3/4'' plate and tripled the height where the horizontal wings attach. I also made the new wedge "float" instead of being fixed to the hydraulic ram.
This gives the wedge the ability to rise and fall as need be if the wood is not straight grained or is knotty. Pics help tremendously i know but i have been busy.