Latest bit of kit I decided to make

[solarman216]

OK thanks for that, it starts to make sense, but for my simple mind it seems I have around 9 tonnes of energy striking a hard log but a lot less on a soft log as the energy is absorbed by the penetration! have I got that right.

And Mac Ouch Rick

 

[Flying Torquewrench]

That how I understand it Rick. The force is absorbed by the impact, hence why a softer log has a lower impact force.

The energy that the blade carries when it reaches the top of the log is the same as it falls from the same height.

You could potentially fill the cylinder with concrete or heavy iron the increase the impact force.

 

[fleabag63]

Pure genius!

I am amazed the magnet can lift the cylinder.

I tried to move it once in Ricks yard but quickly decided against a hernia!

Well done mate, fantastic bit of kit.

Cant wait for the steel toecap test you mentioned earlier!!

 

[solarman216]

Steel toe caped boots will not do you any good with this machine, a real life test is to be arranged soon, (boot stuffed with potatoes, not toes) some will remember my air bag demonstration some years ago, the item went into the air higher than my barn, Rick

 

[solarman216]

I know what elf and safety would say but not going that route, what I can say is last couple of days I have found some really knotty logs that my machine has sorted with ease albeit some have taken as much as 5 drops but that is just a few button presses, it has not been defeated yet, and I do not think it ever will be, I do have one particular log in the pile and will video it when I do it but will need someone to do the vid while I do the deed, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Well got the new hydraulic log splitter going today, have to say it works well and quite fast but only on straight grained logs and not on some of the bigger stuff I have here, but have sold it on already as it is a pain in the arse to use, one hand on the "on" button and one hand on the hydraulic lever, too much faffing for me, plus it needs the genny on whereas my drop splitter can run easily on my inverter/batteries as only 300 watts power draw, Rick

 

[Flying Torquewrench]

I understand the argument against the hydraulic log splitter from the point that it needs a genny. Having to hold the “on” button shouldn’t be an obstacle as that is easily bypassed.

 

[elty001]

I understand the argument against the hydraulic log splitter from the point that it needs a genny. Having to hold the “on” button shouldn’t be an obstacle as that is easily bypassed.

It's a built in safety feature.
We manufacture cardboard bailing machinery and that has the same set up.
Have to hold the on button while operating the hydraulic lever.

 

[solarman216]

I understand the argument against the hydraulic log splitter from the point that it needs a genny. Having to hold the “on” button shouldn’t be an obstacle as that is easily bypassed.

So I thought, so made up an override, only to discover that with the motor running the ram will not retract, Rick

 

[solarman216]

It's a built in safety feature.
We manufacture cardboard bailing machinery and that has the same set up.
Have to hold the on button while operating the hydraulic lever.

Problem with this machine is that the location of the button and the lever puts your face close to the log and a dry hard one can jump as it splits, elf & safety balls up, Rick

 

[panelbeater]

i have a hydrolic splitter here unused for 3 years as not well enough to use it now,its the second one i have had,ist one pump gave out but on both mine it has 2 leavers to move for it to work,once switched on pump stays on so i mansged to put my hand on both leavers so leaving one hand free to steady logs.i only came across a few where it could not split.listed as 8 ton splitters.

 

[Flying Torquewrench]

I wonder if a micro switch under the handle would have worked. So that when you move the handle down it makes contact and the motor runs but when you move the handle up to retract it breaks contact and stops the motor.

However you would need a substantial micro switch as it needs to be able to deal with the vibration etc.

Anyway, as you have sold it on it doesn’t matter anymore.

 

[solarman216]

I wonder if a micro switch under the handle would have worked. So that when you move the handle down it makes contact and the motor runs but when you move the handle up to retract it breaks contact and stops the motor.

However you would need a substantial micro switch as it needs to be able to deal with the vibration etc.

Anyway, as you have sold it on it doesn’t matter anymore.

Nice idea and something I might have tried with a relay to take the load, but the guy that bought it is happy with it as is, but that may change in the future, who knows.

I had a long hard day at work today as needed to get customers heating and hot water back on line, 5.5 hours non stop mostly kneeling, so when I got home at 5pm decided to split some logs, I did not barrow them to the log shed but just splitting them I found therapeutic, a couple of the Hornbeem I tried swinging a heavy axe and it just bounced, could not pick them up but rolled them to my drop splitter, split them no problem, some bits needed several strikes but as said before that only takes a few button presses, Rick