Latest bit of kit I decided to make

[solarman216]

Yep this is it, a log splitter, made up of stuff just lying about, I have had my eye on this cylinder for some time and it has now found a home weighs about 55 Kg, initial tests seems good but the pulley system is too hard probably due to pulley friction, job now is to electrify it with a quick release catch

 

[solarman216]

I had a go with my axe on that lump of oak in the splitter and could not make any headway at all, it went first time in this, here is the pulley system which sufficed for testing but not for long term use, Rick

 

[makeitfit]

Funnily enough I've been thinking of making one also. Winter draws on

 

[One Foot in the Gravy]

so it's not hydraulic then? It's just the weight of the cylinder! Nice :thumbs

 

[solarman216]

Stuck a small hoist motor on it that I had in the workshop, only 350 watts single line pull is rated at 125 KG so room for more weight if needed and it lifts bottom to top in just over 3 seconds, now I just need a quick release, have got an idea using a magnet, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Yep the permanent magnet lifts it no problem, now just got to line it all up so it auto reconnects when lowering onto the cylinder plate, pics later, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Well it all works very well, the magnet being fairly heavy keeps the line spooled up nicely, the pin that goes through the cylinder need something to keep the eye, which is on the underside of the plate, in the middle

 

[solarman216]

Here is the little hoist

 

[solarman216]

Sorry wrong pic, try this one

 

[solarman216]

This is a 380 long log split it with ease, with a fall of around 650 mm with a 300 log the fall will be around 730 good for a bit of knotted Oak, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Have not measured it yet but think I will be putting a couple of rods onto the blue frame of the motor to pass by the magnet so that as it nears the top the rods come into contact with the plate, knocking it off the magnet, making decent automatic, Rick

 

[One Foot in the Gravy]

Nice!

You weren't an executioner in a previous life by any chance?

 

[solarman216]

Fitted the auto release today, works well, I will try and get a video of it working tomorrow, it is not till you see it in action that it really comes home how utterly mad this bit of kit is, Rick

 

[Fez_uk]

awesome, not your usual log splitter. I like it, working with what you got. How long does it take to lift?

 

[solarman216]

awesome, not your usual log splitter. I like it, working with what you got. How long does it take to lift?

Less than 4 seconds, Rick

 

[solarman216]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFhDh94Pf8M

Hope this works, it should be the vid of said splitter, the overall time cycle is longer than it should be as I delayed the dropping of the magnet after the drop of the cutter due to only having two hands, Rick

 

[solarman216]

The winch came in useful to lift the trunk prior to taking the chain saw to it

 

[solarman216]

This is the result of 10 mins work with the splitter, started off as two logs from the tree being lifted, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Cylinder 60 Kg, log 45 Kg lifts it with ease and the extra velocity when coming down is noticeable, however after 5 drops this particular log is still in tact, although the blade is now over half way in, but one leg has come detached from the base as it was only tack welded in 4 places, so a bit of repair tomorrow, Rick

 

[solarman216]

I broke it, Mk2 coming up, it had design flaws that I could see but needed to prove, and pushing it to its limit did just that, it is what can happen when using what materials are available at the time, Rick