Can I find shorter logsplitter wheels?

My logsplitter has a pretty standard 4.80/4.00-8 wheels that are 16" tall. I'd like to find some 12" wheels so I can drop the logsplitter height down 4". The problem seems to be finding a wheel that has the integral hub that fits over the 1" spindle. Pretty much everything I find with this style integrated hub is the same 15/16" size tire.

I don't care if the 12" wheel isn't DOT rated.

Roundgunner said:

That will only drop it 2" if my math is right. Axle to ground height.

Click to expand...

Oh yes, thanks for catching that! I would still take the 2 inches if I could identify the right type of wheel to fit over the spindle. Or even a 10" wheel. But I do not see anything listed other than logsplitter wheels that uses this integrated hub with the replaceable trailer bearing inside. I'm hoping someone will know of a workable solution. I find it hard to believe it only comes in this 8x3.75 rim. I know I could get new spindles installed for a different wheel type but then I couldn't quickly swap back to my taller DOT tires.

Here's what I'm working with. It is a 1" spindle where the non-threaded part is 3 3/8" wide.



I have a spare set of garden cart wheels with a 1" hole that will slide on (no bearing), although there is a key cut in the hole at the 2 o'clock position that could possibly gouge the spindle under the weight of the splitter. I don't think I absolutely need to have a bearing as my splitter will spend 99% of the time being moved by hand in/out of the garage and no further than 50 feet. So perhaps all I need to do is find a decent set of 10" wheels that have a 1" hole? If push comes to shove I can bevel the edges of the key to keep it from gouging.

I thinking of making a drop spindle that will fit over the existing spindle. I'll need some round or square tubing with an inner ID of 1" to fit over the existing 1" spindle. I can drop it 3 or 4 inches this way and then weld on another 1" spindle and use my same wheel.

Will my Lowes have some pipe with an inner ID of 1"? Black plumbing pipe is measured OD isn't it?

I finally found a wheel with a 1" bore that I think will work. See any issues with me using this? It is relatively inexpensive and solid rubber so no tube to go flat. Should be a straight swap and a few 1" washers will shim it as needed on the spindle.

I only wheel this splitter in/out of my garage and no more than 30', usually 5'.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/Wheels...Wheels/10X3-1-2-SOLID-RUBBER-WHEEL-1-3756.axd