A tale of two splitters

[Wayne0 1,222]

I've had a home built wood splitter for the last 30+ years. It's on an 8" beam. 10 HP Techy, 16 GPM 2 stage pump, 5" piston (from a compactor) Short 20" stroke.

It is a beast and has split 24" beach crowns easily.

The tongue weight is a bazillion pounds and it's a pain to move around.

BTW, this splitter is on it's 3rd motor, second pump and second valve and second tank.

Moving on to now.

I'm too old to mess with this, so I came across another home built for short $$ on CL. 8.5 HP $375!

Very nicely done and well cared for. The only problems are the valve has a detent in both directions, which is very unsafe. Also, the pump is pretty slow, although has plenty of power.

It has a nice 4" piston, 24" stroke. BTW, the guy just put new bearings and new wheels and tires on it too.

So now, I've swapped my old valve over to the new machine and my next move is to swap the motor and pump. His valve was side mounted so you could only work from that side.

I moved it to the top so you can work from either side.

This is so well balanced, I can pick the tongue up with 2 fingers!

More to come.

Edited June 19 by Wayne0

[ebinmaine 72,988]

Niiiiice! 

[Wayne0 1,222]

It's been too hot to work outside lately, I did manage to get the 16gal. pump off the 10 Hp on the old splitter.

The motor was seized.

Sprayed some penetrating oil down the cylinder and soaked it for a day or two. Pulls over now, but sounds awful.

When I get back out there, I'll put some gas in and try 'er out. If she sounds too bad, I'll go with the 8.5 Hp.from the new one.

I've got another good 10 Hp (from a snow blower), but the shaft is way too long.

Edited June 24 by Wayne0

[lynnmor 7,858]

2 hours ago, Wayne0 said:

I've got another good 10 Hp (from a snow blower), but the shaft is way too long.

Start it up and hold a hacksaw blade where you want it cut.  Of course a keyway and tapped holes would be a problem if needed.

[Wayne0 1,222]

1 hour ago, lynnmor said:

Start it up and hold a hacksaw blade where you want it cut.  Of course a keyway and tapped holes would be a problem if needed.

Not a bad idea!

The shaft is stepped from 1 1/4" down to 1" which is the same as the old motor. I would have to get a new coupling half for the larger shaft were I to do that.

We'll see how bad the old motor is, but that's a good option. The old one is keyed, but I think 2 set screws alone would be fine.

I could always drill a detent or cut a flat on the shaft for the set screws.

[Wayne0 1,222]

Started up the "old" 10 hp today. Runs OK, but has a vibration I don't like. Started the snowblower 10 hp and it runs like crap. I think it needs carb work.

Still too hot out to get serious.

[Wayne0 1,222]

Got back on the splitters today. Pulled the pump off the "new" machine. Decided to keep the 8.5 Hp as it runs excellent. The pump bracket from the old 10 hp motor bolted right up.

I got lucky with the coupling. The one on the new pump and motor matches up with the old set up although they are different brands. I needed 1/2 from each to connect.

I need to relocate the filter to be able to connect the suction line. Original was 1/2" threaded, old pump is 1" barb. Gotta do some creative plumbing. Pics to come.

[ebinmaine 72,988]

26 minutes ago, Wayne0 said:

Gotta do some creative plumbing

 

I need to upgrade ours sometime too. 

One of the fittings is double done and too squeezed.  

[Wayne0 1,222]

Well, it's finally done!

The bracket for the pump off the old 10 Hp motor bolted right up to the 8.5 Hp.

 To connect to the pump, I had to re-locate the filter bracket as well as get rid of the 1/2" fittings in favor of a 1" hose barb. Short piece of hose and we're in business.

Got lots of parts left over.

It works great! One thing I still have to do, is grind a little off both sides of the wedge so my 4 way will slip over it.

While de-greasing the whole thing from all the oil, the paint wrinkled and peeled.

A good excuse for a coat of Regale Red