3 point log splitter build.

Puddles

Well-known Member
In the process of building a log splitter for my brother-n-law. So far everything has come out of my scrap pile, and the bone yard. But tomorrow its off to the hydraulic shop for some JIC fittings, that should hurt his pocket book! :lol:

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18

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By von3 at 2012-09-18
 
Horizontal or vertical for a 3 pt, less work for you, or you might need a log lift if it did not hinge, looks like a nice job on it too !
 

Thanks Billy!
He is gonna have to buy a small boat winch to lay it over. Once it is started over, it is really balanced well. Just all he!! to get it started over! :shock:
 
Hello Puddles,
Yeap! I agree a a nice job! That is scrach built for sure. I would think that there maybe a weak point where the I beam is welded to the plate?
Some gussets may be needed?
Guido.
 
Hi guido!
That is a 6” x 17.25# S-shape, right now it is only tacked. First thing tomorrow morning I put 3-passes all the way around it with 7018. I thought about some gussets, but just don't know. I think I'll send it home with him like this. He has forgotten more about welding than I'll ever know, so if it breaks, he can handle it. :lol:

Thanks Lanse! :wink:
 
Hello Puddles,
I guess he'll be able to glue it up if needed.
I'm betting that it will be needed.
Guido.
 
How big a log will it handle? 24"? What happens when the cylinder bottoms on the plate- it looks like the cylinder will extend well past the plate?
 
Hi Dalet! There is a 26-inch gap when the cylinder is retraced, and a 1-inch gap between the wedge and the plate when fully extended.


Hi Ted! That is a good idea, I will pass it on to my brother-n-law. :wink:
 
You have any more sisters?
Nice job. Any concerns about the flat plate under the wedge jamming up the log? I know everyone's a got something to say...which reminds me of a classic Teddy Roosevelt quote.


"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
 
Looks good! You might need a vented cap for the
hydraulic tank. They usually have a filter in them
and aren't expensive.
 
Short days are a coming. A rear light would be great as well. No reason to waste day light hours splitting wood. Save it for the 6-9pm shift.
 
Dave we have a vented plug that is 1/2-inch NPT. Not sure if I'm going to drill a hole in that cap, and weld a bushing on it for the vented plug, or just drill and tap the cap for the vented plug. :?
 
Looks nice! I must say your scrap pile must be in better shape than mine. And Hey! Where are all the usual comments about all the liability issues that will arise if someone steals it and then sell it to someone who puts their finger where there is no guard and sues you!
 
Hi retired farmer. The log splitter will mount to the 3-point hitch of his 1979 Ford 1500 tractor, I just haven't made the padeyes for the lower arms or for the top link yet. He bought a PTO powered hydraulic pump. That pipe / tank will hold 14 1/3 gallons of hydraulic oil.
 
Hello Puddles,
I forgot to mention that when I built one for a farmer friend, I used a 1/2" ring out of a 4" pipe for the plate. I cut it in 1/2 and glued it to the plate about 1" above the deck 1/2" apart.
This will capture the logs, and prevent Them from walking out. Its been awhile since I built it,(mid 70's) so i forgot to mention it to you.
Guido.
 
Too Bad you didn't Think to Make it so that you can rotate wedge and cylinder facing down also. That makes it easy to back up over the large rounds and split them from the tractor seat without any heavy lifting.
 
My huskee 28 ton is a little like that, don't place hands or other extremities under it while moving, but with your skills and experience, I can't wait to see it done now, posting progress photos here is enlightening, with all the questions and comments LOL, but with that size reservoir, you have the volume, I'm wondering about the pressure, do pto pumps duplicate the 2 stage pump pressure like the modern tow behind splitters do ?
 
guido that is a great idea. He wanted me to make some little welds that look like Hersey Kisses. When I read your idea I called my brother-n-law and passed on your idea, he loved it! Thank you! :wink:
 
Hello Puddles,
I guess I should have a patent for the idea.
They now put them on new splitters....THIEVES!
One more idea to pass on. When you weld your next wedge on, put a square on the beam, touch the bottom of the wedge with the square, and lean the top of the wedge 1/2" away from the square. It really makes a difference, when the wedge is mounted that way. Lots more power, I have a picture somewhere if you need to see it. YEA! they are doing that also. Missed onother chance to be a millionare!.
Happy building............Guido.
 
guido I had to read your post twice before it sunk in what you're saying.
Somewhat like a wedge is two directions. Funny that would give more power! I guess the wedge entering the log at an angle would help. If you do find the picture I would love to see it.
 

I think he said is tractor's hydraulic system is 4-GPM, the PTO pump he bought is 8-GPM.
We head over to the coast to pickup his tractor with new front loader this morning. Once we get it back here I can get all the pad eyes welded on the tank for the 3-point hitch, and hopefully get a coat of paint on the splitter this weekend. Have to stop by the hydraulic shop again, we forgot one hose.
 
Hello Puddles,
Here is the picture some weges.
The one I was telling you about.
The other wedge has wings like your wedge. They wings on yours and this one are too close to the edge. You will see the wood hit the weld.
Ideally the wings should be as far back as possible on the wedge.
The other picture shows the detail of another splitter rail guide set-up.
The bolts go through 2 bearings that ride the rail. The bearings have grease fittings to keep them lubricated.
Guido.
a82892.jpg

a82893.jpg

a82894.jpg
 
guido that wedge is exactly how I envisioned it!
I was wondering about those wings. My brother-n-law placed them. I have only built one other log splitter, and that was in the 1970s.
I'll see if[b:2d9a51590e] [u:2d9a51590e]he[/u:2d9a51590e] [/b:2d9a51590e]wants to grind the welds out and place the wings back where they belong. :lol:

Thanks so much for the pictures! :wink:
 
Looks nice, although I question the strength of the beam. As to horiz. or vert. I don't see how vert is much less work. You still have roll the chunk over to the splitter and the flip it on its end and what if it doesn't land under the wedge? Then you're scooting a big block over. Still bending and pushing, although maybe a less direct lifting up to horiz. I hope to have a lift on my horiz. setup.
 
Hello Puddles,
You're welcome!
As colombo used to say, one more thing.
The cylinder travel to the wedge should be as close as possible. I got 10 cords on the floor.
Been at it for a couple of days now.
Maybe we can try yours out. Nothing bigeer the 18", what do you think?. Wild cherry and black locust. Here is one of the piles,
Guido.
a82907.jpg
 
Here is Western Washington we don't have any real hard wood. Our Alder trees if you buck them up and let them set on the ground for about three days, they will bust wide open when being hit with the blunt end of an ax. Our fir and hemlock are not tough at all. But my brother-n-law lives in California, on 20-acres, and he has nothing but oak!
 
Puddles, have you tried extending the ram all the way out before changing from horizontal to vert and back again it may shift enough weight to make it easy.
 
When the splitter is vertical, it is really hard to get it to lay over to the horizontal. It is just the initial starting. I think the main reason it is so hard is the plate is on the floor, when I get the padeyes made for the 3-point hitch this morning and can raise the splitter off the ground I'm sure it will be easier! But once the beam starts over it is really easy to hold, and this is with the hydraulic cylinder all the way retracted, with the wedge near the plate it should be even easier to lower the beam.
 
All finished with the log splitter. Just need to finish welding the padeyes on the counterweight, and we can paint the log splitter tomorrow.
lcounterweight.jpg


Tested the tank with about 4-PSI. What do you know, I lucked out, no leaks! :wink:
ltest.jpg


Welded some pieces of pipe so the wood won't slip, (thanks for the suggestion guido!)
lnonslip.jpg


Here is his new loader.
lloader.jpg


Not sure you can see this Mig weld inside the bucket. Got to love those professional weldors! :roll:
lweld.jpg
 
My first impression is that beam looks awfully skinny compared to what's attached to it.
 
The size of the beam has been a concern of mine from the beginning! But he says it will be fine. I suggested we beef up the flanges like this. When working I did this thousands of times.

 

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