Anyone ever turn a manual splitter into a powered splitter?

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jerseykat1

Member
Dec 19, 2010
118
North NJ
Has anyone ever successful turned one of those harbor freight manual splitters into a powered unit?
 
Hmmm...not that I am aware of. Because of the design, to keep the original pump mechanism you would need to convert rotational energy (from a motor or engine) to a pump action like the old fashioned windmill or hay bailer and it can't come straight off of the motor, it would need to be geared down for slower pumping action. Sounds like a bunch of tinkering and potential expensive components (gear box).
 
Yeah that sounds like a lot of work but doable.
Oh - it would be doable. If you could find an old jack shaft (think wind mill) with the proper gear ratio that would be a big start.

There are a couple of unknowns though and potentially dangerous ones, but I am not completely familiar with the splitters. Is there a relief valve of some nature on it? If not, you are gonna get a case of the comeaparts.
 
Better off to sell it and pick up an electric 5 ton unit. Even if converted it would probably have less tonnage.
 
I think that would qualify for inclusion in Rube Goldberg portfolio.
 
Yeah I already picked up an electric 5 ton unit. Works good for the most part. But it needs to be supercharged.. So to speak.
 
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