Bought a beat up splitter from a wood processor a few years ago. Never had much need for a splitter since I do it (90%) by hand but It was only $400 and it was working.
I had to weld up the ibeam because it was worn like an hour glass from lack of lubrication and not adjusting the gibs. Fabricated new guide plates and gibs, replaced all the hardware that was incorrect, worn, bent or sloppy. Replaced the 2"x2" center beam (it was bent,welded,broken, just a plain mess) with thick walled 2x2 tubing and made it longer (easier to see when towing).
I was only getting about 400psi when splitting but it would hit 3200psi on a dead head (full extension). So I opened up the hydraulic cylinder to find the internal seals were shot and when I took it apart the set screw for the piston head was out and I was loosing pressure their too. Trunion welds look good so I rebuilt it with a seal kit and replaced the set screw/bolt.
All is well so far, pump is pushing 3200psi (25 tons) on a dead head and never saw it go past 2200psi (16 tons) on some crotch wood I had around and it blasted right through it. I doubt these ever saw 27 tons even new, the pump would need to hit 3400psi for that. I added a tee to install the gauge for testing and will replace it with a plug, just to easy of a target for flying wood.
So I'm into it for $400 plus $50 for the seal kit and $50 for 5 gal of hydraulic fluid. About 8hrs and some material I had around. I also bolted on a small toolbox to hold oil, hardware and safety glasses.
I had to weld up the ibeam because it was worn like an hour glass from lack of lubrication and not adjusting the gibs. Fabricated new guide plates and gibs, replaced all the hardware that was incorrect, worn, bent or sloppy. Replaced the 2"x2" center beam (it was bent,welded,broken, just a plain mess) with thick walled 2x2 tubing and made it longer (easier to see when towing).
I was only getting about 400psi when splitting but it would hit 3200psi on a dead head (full extension). So I opened up the hydraulic cylinder to find the internal seals were shot and when I took it apart the set screw for the piston head was out and I was loosing pressure their too. Trunion welds look good so I rebuilt it with a seal kit and replaced the set screw/bolt.
All is well so far, pump is pushing 3200psi (25 tons) on a dead head and never saw it go past 2200psi (16 tons) on some crotch wood I had around and it blasted right through it. I doubt these ever saw 27 tons even new, the pump would need to hit 3400psi for that. I added a tee to install the gauge for testing and will replace it with a plug, just to easy of a target for flying wood.
So I'm into it for $400 plus $50 for the seal kit and $50 for 5 gal of hydraulic fluid. About 8hrs and some material I had around. I also bolted on a small toolbox to hold oil, hardware and safety glasses.
