30 ton Iron & Oak Question

Hi Gunny, I would run it bit when ya get back and see how it works out for you. 4 way puts a lot more stress on the beam. Same thing with rounds that are greater in diameter than the wedge is tall. With 30ton it is easy to over stress the beam ( got the T shirt). Kinda tortoise/hair thing. Safe journey home thanks for your service. ( my son was there a couple years back, Army rangers special ops, recently re-assigned to Seattle area. He is a Sargent/ don't know more than that, except that he has this habit of jumping out perfectly good airplanes into less than quiet areas)

You will know when the beam bends. Where at in Mi? I am up by Traverse City and can make you a 4-way much cheaper than 3 bills. Like the price of materials. I will weld it up in exchange for your service.

Hi Gunny, you can see the beam start to deflect, you can dang near hear that something isn't kosher before that.. There is a definite strain sound that if allowed to continue or repeatably trying to force wedge through some thing will give.

Gunny, I think a lot of it is in the wood itself. Some of it you could use a 4-way on and some you can't. Nice straight red oak no problem, twisted elm big problem. I was just out back going through some scrap and I found an old wedge I forgot about. I can cut it for the wings. When you get back Bring the splitter to your hunting grounds and we can meet up and go from there. I am only 45 min. from big Rapids.

First off, thank you for your service!
Secondly, I wouldn't worry about the beam unless there is something wrong with the relief valve, and even in that situation, I think the motor would stall first.

711mhw said:

First off, thank you for your service!
Secondly, I wouldn't worry about the beam unless there is something wrong with the relief valve, and even in that situation, I think the motor would stall first.

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Yes, thank you truly for your service and sacrifice. I totally agree that you won't be bothering the big beam the I&O's have. If that model has the two stage pump all that will happen will be shifting into second pump stage. If that model doesn't have the two stage pump you might strain or stall the motor but the I&O is a beast and basically loves all the abuse. Still, I'd start with the single wedge just to see how you handle it. In other words my splitter is faster than I am and much of my "delay" is clearing the splits the splitter already split and then again loading another round. I've thought about the 4 way too but so far simply haven't needed it. If after you get a good rhythm going you are ahead of the splitter then sure try using the 4 way but if the splitter is ahead of you save your money. It really isn't a matter of what that wonderful splitter will handle or won't handle. That's the best advice I'm able to offer there. Hope that helps.