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  1. gzecc Minister of Fire

    joined: Sep 24, 2008
    2,855 posts
    NNJ
    I am looking to swap my splitters non suspension spindle wheels, for torsion suspension system . What is the best way to achieve this?
    The problem is my splitter takes a beating when I drive it around to rental customers. Splitter weighs approx 800 lbs.
    Are there any torsion systems that will bolt directly onto the spindles?
    My splitter is similar in design as the attached.
    http://www.logsplittersdirect.com/Images/PowerTek-825V-H-Log-Splitter/i7484.html
    #1

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  2. bogydave Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 4, 2009
    7,779 posts
    So Cent ALASKA
    I don't know of any. (bigger tires & lower the air pressure may help)
    Maybe a trailer to haul it in.
    Most splitters aren't made for high speed or long distance towing. Don't see many with suspension systems & tail lights.
    Not that it can't be done. :)
  3. clr8ter Member

    joined: Oct 4, 2010
    158 posts
    Southern NH
    Go to Northern Equipment. They have weld - on torsion spindles. I bet you could even find a pair that will work with your existing hubs......
  4. [quote="gzecc, post: 1122949,
    The problem is my splitter takes a beating when I drive it around to rental customers. Splitter weighs approx 800 lbs.
    [/quote]

    Likewise our splitter has no suspension, just a solid axle with 15 inch tires with 7 PSI air pressure. Down side is that at that low air pressure you also need tubes in the tires.
    Magnet attaching turn signal brake lights.
    The torsion suspension sounds like an interesting idea!

    Attached Files:

  5. gzecc Minister of Fire

    joined: Sep 24, 2008
    2,855 posts
    NNJ
    hobbyheater likes this.
  6. greg13 Feeling the Heat

    joined: Jan 5, 2012
    374 posts
    CNY
    It may be cheaper just to buy/build a small trailer and haul the splitter in that to the site.
    MasterMech likes this.
  7. gzecc Minister of Fire

    joined: Sep 24, 2008
    2,855 posts
    NNJ
    Too much a PITA to have to trailer it to every renter. Have you pulled an 800lb splitter up (or down) a trailer ramp?
    It needs new wheels anyway. I can probably do it for $300. It will extend the life of the splitter and also increase its value. Like I said, it needs new wheels anyway.
  8. nate379 Minister of Fire

    joined: Sep 21, 2010
    4,006 posts
    Palmer, Alaska
    Why do you need tubes?

    Down side is that at that low air pressure you also need tubes in the tires.
    [/quote]
  9. [/quote]

    With the low tire pressure, tubeless tires are prone to leak around the bead especially on gravel roads.
  10. MasterMech Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 2, 2011
    4,802 posts
    Hudson Valley NY
    Not if the rim is designed for low pressure. ATVs frequently run sub 5 psi pressures and no tubes.

    Tubes are lousy in low pressure tires. On a trailer/splitter it wouldn't be bad but on ATV's or lawn tractor drive tires the tire often moves a bit on the rim and eventually the valve stem on the tube either tears or gets pulled back inside the wheel.
  11. KodiakII Feeling the Heat

    joined: Jan 17, 2011
    341 posts
    Eastern Ontario
  12. gzecc Minister of Fire

    joined: Sep 24, 2008
    2,855 posts
    NNJ
    Thanks for that link. I was hoping to attach a torsion system directly to the existing spindle. Not have to re-engineer everything. Adding another axle will also increase the cost and probably height. The height has to be acceptable for the verticle position.
  13. BrianK Feeling the Heat

    joined: Dec 26, 2011
    425 posts
    West central PA
  14. MasterMech Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 2, 2011
    4,802 posts
    Hudson Valley NY
  15. Jack Straw Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 22, 2008
    2,011 posts
    Schoharie County, N Y
    Tractor supply may have what you need, good luck! (oh and pics when done;))
  16. Jags Super Moderator

    joined: Aug 2, 2006
    11,309 posts
    Northern Illinois
    With the torsion axle assembly, it wouldn't take too much to get your height correct. Just torch the old off at the needed height to accept the new (and maintain original height). You might have to weld a flat plate on where you torch the old off for a mounting bracket, but certainly not hard to do.
  17. KarlP Feeling the Heat

    joined: Nov 18, 2005
    476 posts
    Mine is ~700. IME, its damn easy by yourself if you have a low trailer with 8" wheels and a 10' ramp. Its next to impossible with a 2nd person helping if you have a trailer with 15" wheels and a 6' ramp.

    Get a Harbor Freight folding utility trailer with 8" wheels. If you wait for a sale and find a 20% off coupon, you'll spend less than you are looking to spend on a torsion axle.
  18. bioman Burning Hunk

    joined: Dec 25, 2010
    195 posts
    mo
    why would anyone split vertical? I'm for lifting it with a log lift, run it through a multi-wedge right in to a truck or trailer. Done deal !
  19. clr8ter Member

    joined: Oct 4, 2010
    158 posts
    Southern NH
    No, the part I'm talking about in Northern Tool is just a small stub with the torsion part attached to the spindle. You weld it on, there is no tube in between. Read the description. All you have to do is cut off or unbolt existing axle, and weld one of these torsion axles on either side. The 1000 LB. set runs something like $140 if I remember correctly.....
  20. MasterMech Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 2, 2011
    4,802 posts
    Hudson Valley NY
    Easy, we're too cheap to buy/fab all the equipment necessary to process big rounds horizontally. ;)

    I like log lifts better too but this is supposed to be a simple modification to improve the tow-ability of the unit the OP already has. Not build him a new splitter.
  21. gzecc Minister of Fire

    joined: Sep 24, 2008
    2,855 posts
    NNJ
    Question: Why wouldn anyone split vertically. Answer: So you don't have to lift a 200lb round off the ground.
  22. greg13 Feeling the Heat

    joined: Jan 5, 2012
    374 posts
    CNY

    Some of us actually like our backs !!:)
  23. Attached Files:

  24. You are right the rims are not designed for low pressure. I very seldom have to go more than a half hour on the highway so heat and friction with tubes is not a factor ,and only collect firewood in the cooler months ,with fire hazard being the biggest reason. Low pressure tubeless tires would sometimes roll off the the bead when yarding bigger blocks that are not in lead .

    Attached Files:

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