Change splitter wheels

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
gzecc

gzecc

Minister of Fire
Sep 24, 2008
5,123
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
 
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. :)
 
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......
 
[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!
 

Attachments

  • webIMGP3572.JPG
    webIMGP3572.JPG
    98.9 KB · Views: 377
  • Like
Reactions: hobbyheater
It may be cheaper just to buy/build a small trailer and haul the splitter in that to the site.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MasterMech
greg13 said:
It may be cheaper just to buy/build a small trailer and haul the splitter in that to the site.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Why do you need tubes?

hobbyheater said:
[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.
Click to expand...
Down side is that at that low air pressure you also need tubes in the tires.
[/quote]
 
nate379 said:
Why do you need tubes?


Down side is that at that low air pressure you also need tubes in the tires.
Click to expand...

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.
 
KodiakII said:
Don't think that is what you are looking for. Link shows a replacement trailing arm that is part of a torsion system. You are looking for something more like this. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200323649_200323649
Click to expand...
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.
 
Tractor supply may have what you need, good luck! (oh and pics when done;))
 
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.
 
gzecc said:
Too much a PITA to have to trailer it to every renter. Have you pulled an 800lb splitter up (or down) a trailer ramp?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.....
 
bioman said:
why would anyone split vertical? ...
Click to expand...

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.
 
MasterMech said:
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.
Click to expand...
Question: Why wouldn anyone split vertically. Answer: So you don't have to lift a 200lb round off the ground.
 
gzecc said:
Question: Why wouldn anyone split vertically. Answer: So you don't have to lift a 200lb round off the ground.
Click to expand...


Some of us actually like our backs !!:)
 
MasterMech said:
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.
Click to expand...

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 .
 

Attachments

  • IMGP3570.JPG
    IMGP3570.JPG
    181.9 KB · Views: 268
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Isaac Carlson
Electric splitter conversion with 4 way wedge
Replies
7
Views
4K
The Gear
salecker
salecker
twd000
hand truck to lift rounds to the splitter beam?
Replies
11
Views
4K
The Wood Shed
twd000
twd000
sloeffle
New Firewood Setup
Replies
30
Views
5K
The Wood Shed
JRHAWK9
JRHAWK9
N
Rugged Made / Rugged Split log splitter
Replies
20
Views
9K
The Gear
Tar12
Tar12
S
  • Locked
Splitter build DOT platform
Replies
5
Views
2K
The Gear
evamaxx
E
Top Bottom
Back