I have a 16 ton hydraulic tractor mounted log splitter and was wondering if I could adapt it to work with a stand alone gasoline engine? If yes what would I need to modify/get to made this work. I already have a good industrial 8HP engine that I could use as the power source. Any help would be appreciated.
Log splitter conversion
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A reservoir with right around four gallon capacity (to allow the hyd oil to dissipate air bubbles) with a vent cap and a filter assembly. With with an 8 hp you can use a 13gpm (hi-lo/dual pressure pump) and maybe a 16gpm. A bracket for the motor (vert. or hor. are obviously different but available) and the size of pump you choose and the coupler ends with the rubber bushing. If you want to maintain the tractor usability the hyd. hoses need quick disconnect fittings. I had a 3pt hitch splitter which had no trailer so you will need wheels and axle and hitch for mobility if it don't already have it. Since some splitters use hyd controls on the tractor you will need those if the unit doesn't have them. 8 glasses of water. Three glasses are for building it and five are for using it the first time. After that you'll have to be the judge.
I was going to do that with the 3 pt set up I had but I couldn't find a reasonable reservoir and ended up selling the 3t to a friend that needed a splitter. About 2 weeks after I sold it I ran across a good used air tank from an air compressor that blew. I still have the 13gpm pump and a 10hp but not the ambition or splitter part and life goes on....
I was going to do that with the 3 pt set up I had but I couldn't find a reasonable reservoir and ended up selling the 3t to a friend that needed a splitter. About 2 weeks after I sold it I ran across a good used air tank from an air compressor that blew. I still have the 13gpm pump and a 10hp but not the ambition or splitter part and life goes on....
I was in the exact same situation you are in. I inherited a tractor mounted log splitter but no tractor. It had been put on wheels and set at a height that was comfortable for me to work at, but it lacked a motor, pump and hydraulic tank.
Since I am a teacher, I approached our VoAg instructor to see if any of his students needed a "project". I had a 6.5hp motor from an old lawn mower so all I had to purchase was a pump and a filter from Northerntool. The class cut and bent sheet metal to form a tank and welded fittings into the tank. When it was done, I had spent about $175 dollars at Northerntool and about $50 for the materials the shop class used and 2 dozen donuts for the kids.
Now I am comtemplating having them do a log lift and catch tables for the end.
I will try to take some pictures this weekend if you would like to see them.
Since I am a teacher, I approached our VoAg instructor to see if any of his students needed a "project". I had a 6.5hp motor from an old lawn mower so all I had to purchase was a pump and a filter from Northerntool. The class cut and bent sheet metal to form a tank and welded fittings into the tank. When it was done, I had spent about $175 dollars at Northerntool and about $50 for the materials the shop class used and 2 dozen donuts for the kids.
Now I am comtemplating having them do a log lift and catch tables for the end.
I will try to take some pictures this weekend if you would like to see them.
Jamess67
Feeling the Heat
Please post pics. Im building one now and need all the ideas I can find.kbarnes12 said:I was in the exact same situation you are in. I inherited a tractor mounted log splitter but no tractor. It had been put on wheels and set at a height that was comfortable for me to work at, but it lacked a motor, pump and hydraulic tank.
Since I am a teacher, I approached our VoAg instructor to see if any of his students needed a "project". I had a 6.5hp motor from an old lawn mower so all I had to purchase was a pump and a filter from Northerntool. The class cut and bent sheet metal to form a tank and welded fittings into the tank. When it was done, I had spent about $175 dollars at Northerntool and about $50 for the materials the shop class used and 2 dozen donuts for the kids.
Now I am comtemplating having them do a log lift and catch tables for the end.
I will try to take some pictures this weekend if you would like to see them.
Thanks for the answers as this will be helpful. Yes, if you could post pictures that would be great.
Jamess67
Feeling the Heat
Ok here are the photos I promised.
The shop class turned the splitter around so that I could move it away from split stack easier and cut off the horizontal arms of the 3pt hitch.
They made the oil tank.
They also made the plate that the motor mounts on and the bracket the pump mounts to as well.
The splitter has a 36" long ram and in the future I want to update it with a shorter but larger diameter one, a bigger electric start engine, a larger pump and a log lift and catcher table on the end.
The shop class turned the splitter around so that I could move it away from split stack easier and cut off the horizontal arms of the 3pt hitch.
They made the oil tank.
They also made the plate that the motor mounts on and the bracket the pump mounts to as well.
The splitter has a 36" long ram and in the future I want to update it with a shorter but larger diameter one, a bigger electric start engine, a larger pump and a log lift and catcher table on the end.
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One other thing to check is whether the spool valve is open or closed center. If it was designed to be added to a newer tractor with a variable displacement pump it may be closed center. If it is closed center it will not work well with the gear pump that most splitters used. If it is closed center you will need to swap it out for an open center valve also.
Don
Don
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