Hydraulic Log Splitter

(Page 2 of 2)

November/December 1981
By John Gasper 
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You can see, then, that the vertical hydraulic wood splitter is an ideal, and readi ly transportable, tool for ail-but-effortless woodcutting. With this efficient machine, I can reduce the biggest trees on my woodlot to a neat stack of firewood . .. without having to lift a single log! And that's what I call energy conservation!

RELATED CONTENT

EDITOR'S NOTE: It you'd like to make a more conventional automatic lumberjack, see"Mother's Hydraulic Super-Splitter"

PLANNING TO BUILD ONE YOUSELF?  HERE ARE A FEW HINTS

In order to be sure that your homemade wood splitter will operate at its peak efficiency, glance over the following tips before you begin the construction.

I recommend a cylinder that measures more than Q" in diameter and an engine that has at least 5 HP. It's best, also, to have a doubleacting cylinder . . . but the single type can be used in conjunction with springs. (The stroke of the cylinder can be determined by the length of log you plan to split. Add a few inches for "insurance".)The wedge's blade should be sharp, of course . . . but it should also be wide enough to push apart the halves of each log.Any hydraulic system must have a pressure relief valve to prevent damage. (Most control valves contain one.) Set the relief valve to cutoffjust before the engine stalls.Don't use steel water pipe for the hydraulic line: It isn't able to stand the kind of pressure (2,500 PSI or more) that's generated.Useonly clean hydraulic oil or nondetergent motor oil.The hydraulic pump must be a positive displacement type, either gear or vane pump.The cylinder should be secured at both ends.Be certain that the tank is vented properly.Make sure all the components of your splitter are super-strong.The sliding wedge should operate smoothly and freely . . . but it has to ride snugly enough on the I-beam to prevent it from twisting and jamming during operation.The suction line (a hose that runs between the tank and the pump) should be larger in diameter than the pressure line, since it's easier to push than it is to pull the oil.The return line doesn't have to be high-pressure hosing.

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Comments

  • Dane 12/15/2007 5:15:44 AM

    Hi. Can I get plans for your no lift log splitter? I live in New
    Zealand and would also like to subscribe to your magazine, do you
    post it this far? Thanks. Dane. theantsaremyfriends@yahoo.com

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