My wood gathering operation

[elkimmeg]

Here is what I'm up to considering getting ready for next 3 seasons of wood burning
Note the picture has the original red 12 ton piston which I replaced. The most recent picture is of the 16 ton splitter I'm using now. Behind it is the pile I split this morning
There are quite a few knarly pieces it split and if you look close on the right is the American Rock Elm

This morning splitting effort note the piston color is now yellow 16 tons
http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/elkimmeg/?action=view&current=IM006537.jpg

It helps moving and stacking my wood pipes

http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/elkimmeg/?action=view&current=IM006535.jpg

When I finish stacking to the left of this pile thee will be more than 8 cords there

http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/elkimmeg/?action=view&current=IM006536.jpg

This is another 3 plus cord pile judge for yourself the top ladder is a 36’ All darker colored ends splits have been seasoned at least a year

http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/elkimmeg/?action=view&current=IM006538.jpg

This pile is the wood ready for prime time and will be the first used the right pile is for the Encore mostly 18” lengths. The left pipe is for the Intrepid lengths being 16” or less

http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/elkimmeg/?action=view&current=IM006539.jpg

This is one powerful electric splitter and so quite Nobody even knew I was splitting this morning before 7 AM . So far I have split more than 20 cords with it . I’m still amazed at what it can split usually what ever I can lift it splits. And that includes Elm. If one wants to know more about one of the most powerful electric splitters, I be glad to reprint the write up.

I can upgrade this splitter to a 20 ton splitter by installing a 20 ton piston but I have to change the motor wiring to 220 to get the added 1 hp more to push it. I can also purchase a gas motor and swap it out in about 10 minutes. I also thought of lengthening the splitting rack for 24” lengths, but since my stove only takes 20” I have no need to at this time

 

[budman]

ELK, 76 people looked at this post and nobody posted. I think there are some jealous
people out there,that is some serious wood piles,keep up the good work.

 

[northwinds]

Jealous and quiet awe. Gives me something to work towards.

 

[Bones]

Elk, what is the rpm of your motor ¿ The one I made is 3600 and is a tad noisy,but pretty fast.
I still haven't changed to a thinner hydraulic fluid yet.

 

[begreen]

Nice start on winter to come. I'm impressed. My pile of rounds still waits to be split, the garden is taking precedence yesterday and today. I can't believe the difference in the trees. We're 95% fully leaved out by now, but your daytime temps are getting warmer.

Elk, how long an extension cord do you run? Does it ever trip a breaker?

 

[elkimmeg]

BeGreen two extention cords first one is 10 gage wire 100' the second one is 12 gage wire another 100' and .I have even worked with another 50' 12 gage wire added and worked fine 250' from the plug. I have yet to trip a breaker..

Tog day's task I am gathering up all the cut off pieces of decent size and buolt a crib and tossed them in The crib I used a pallet to get the off the ground and facilitate drying. So far I have connected another 1/2 cord of cutoffs. I burn them early fall and they are also great for filling up the voids in the fire box. I mean I have another 1/2 cord It makes no sense throwing it away Later on I will post the simple setup I use to contain them


Bones I think I'm running at either 1800 or 2400 RPMS . I have to get a video of this splitter in action

. It has a separate Barns Hydro 11gpm Pump. 4 way splitting valve Meaning two speeds forward, fast speed for easy splitting, which automatically kicks back to slower speed for tough splitting. It also has automatic return to the closed position. Of special attention is the hydro pump. Brand name Barns. The reservoir took over 3 gallons to fill, not a couple pints in the integrated electric units.
The pump is capable of delivering more tons of splitting force. It can easily support 20 plus tons. If I change the cylinder to 3.5 “ = 16 tons to a 4” 20 plus tons The Hydro valve can be set to work at a higher PSI squeezing more force to split. The motor is wired for 110 volts rated 1.5 hp. It can be wired for 220 and produce 2 hp. I also could swap to a 2 hp 110-volt motor. Finally as I said earlier I can swap the electric motor to a gas one, a B&S 3.5 hp all the way up to a Honda 5.5. Should I find it not powered enough to complete the tasks? I do have a path to upgrade
it for more power.



Technical Details

If one wants the most powerful electric splitter consider the ram splitter 16 tons with real serious components.

Motor Marathon
Model Number: 56B17F5302 Catalog Number: G378
Product Type: CAP START CAP RUN Normally Stocked: YES
Enclosure: TEFC List Price: $326
Frame: 56H Multiplier Symbol: F1
Dimensional Drawing A-100113-856 PDF
Dimensional Drawing A-100113-856 DXF Connection Diagram 102006-52 PDF
Connection Diagram 102006-52 DXF
HP: 1.5 Frequency (HZ): 60
Speed (RPM): 1800 Mounting: RIGID
Phase: 1 Motor Wt: 41
Volts: 115/208-230 Insulation Class: B
F.L. Amps: Duty: CONTINUOUS 15.2 8.6 -7.6
Service Factor: 1.15 Max. Ambient: 40
Bearing: BALL/BALL F.L. Eff.:
DE Bearing: NONE Thermal Protection: MANUAL
OPE Bearing: NONE KVA Code: J
Footnotes: Capacitor Start/Capacitor Run design for reduced amperage
Performance/Certification Data
Ball bearing Heavy gauge steel frame and base
Capacitor start design for high starting torque 1.15 Service factor
UL Recognized and CSA Certified

Barns11GPM 2 Stage Hydraulics Pump gives you faster cycle times

Log Splitter Detent Valve Pre set to 2250 PSI adjustable to 3000 psi
4 way valve fast speed for easy splitting slower speed for more pressure. Automatic kick back to closed position when stroke is completed

Prince 3000 PSI Hydraulic Cylinder 3.5” 18.5” stroke

3 Gallon Hydraulic Reservoir.

Log splitting capacity 24” round by 20” length

 

[Bones]

The 1800 rpm is what makes it quiet, also I believe the 11 gpm pump rateing is @ 3600 rpm. I've a 3" cylinder (only thing avaliable for monhs on ebay).
Someday might change to a 4" cylinder. If I need to change to a gas motor I have a 6.5 hp Honda on my pressure washer which will adapt to my 11 gpm 2 stage pump.

 

[GVA]

And to add to that... the 2HP motor lists at $430. Elk, If you ever need to replace that motor let me know I could probably get it for about half that list price...
Though I would upgrade it to a Baldor or Leeson, Marathon allways seem to run warm which shows a loss of efficiency..

 

[Bones]

2hp on 110 volts ? lot of current ( ~ 20 amps) look out breakers. LOL

 

[elkimmeg]

2 hp would mean re-wiring the motor to 220. If I were to do that I would use my garage welder 50 amp plug and really would have to run 10/3 gage wire maybe 10/4.

Bones did you know the detent valve is default set to 2200 lb of presure ther is a pressure set screw and most can be re-adjusted to 3000 lbs I have fiddled with mine I know it is above the 220 and I know its not 3000.

Really this splitter does a good job of splitting within its power range. Just like any tool one learns it capabilities and works within the range not every piece has to be split down the middle

 

[Bones]

I agree. I had to adjust the pressure on the forward and return detent to get things going in the begining when I first set it up. It is working pretty darn good now,just have to change fluid.
Myself,it's not worth the hassle to go to 230 volts.

 

[DiscoInferno]

BeGreen two extention cords first one is 10 gage wire 100' the second one is 12 gage wire another 100' and .I have even worked with another 50' 12 gage wire added and worked fine 250' from the plug. I have yet to trip a breaker..

A long extension cord probably makes it less likely that you'll trip the breaker by adding load resistance, but it will cost you power at the splitter. A very quick and dirty calculation says the 200'/250' 110 setups may lose somewhere around 10-20% power at a nominal peak load current of 15A. Switch to 220 and all 10 gauge, and that loss drops to 2-3%. Of course, if it splits, it splits.

 

[Yooper Burning]

Elk, I wish you were my neighbor! I like to borrow things.....

And DisoInferno, I never replied in a thread a bit ago, I guess we are part-time neighbors. But I won't ask to borrow anything, yet. :cheese:

 

[DiscoInferno]

I don't have any cool toys like Elk to borrow, I'm afraid.

 

[MrGriz]

Nice set up Elk. And a great stash of wood built up there.

It sure makes things easier when you have good tools to work with.

 

[Fubar411]

2 hp would mean re-wiring the motor to 220. If I were to do that I would use my garage welder 50 amp plug and really would have to run 10/3 gage wire maybe 10/4.

Bones did you know the detent valve is default set to 2200 lb of presure ther is a pressure set screw and most can be re-adjusted to 3000 lbs I have fiddled with mine I know it is above the 220 and I know its not 3000.

Really this splitter does a good job of splitting within its power range. Just like any tool one learns it capabilities and works within the range not every piece has to be split down the middle

Just so you know, the breaker isn't working the way you think it is. For example, you're saying you'd go 200 feet with 12 gauge. If that is on a 20amp circuit, then you will get voltage drop which isn't dangerous, just probably not good for the splitter.

However, if you're thinking of using a 50 amp breaker with 10 gauge wiring, this is a very dangerous idea. That would require at least 8 probably 6 gauge wiring, if you were pulling 50 amps. The breaker wouldn't pop until the extension cord was melted or otherwise compromised. It takes a lot of amps to pop one, as you can run an oven off 50 amps. I would recommend wiring up a new circuit with a 30 amp double breaker (if you're doing 220) and using the appropriate plugs. I would definitely not use the welder's plug.

 

[Fubar411]

Just curious what model electric splitter that is?

 

[Bones]

2 hp would mean re-wiring the motor to 220. If I were to do that I would use my garage welder 50 amp plug and really would have to run 10/3 gage wire maybe 10/4.

Bones did you know the detent valve is default set to 2200 lb of presure ther is a pressure set screw and most can be re-adjusted to 3000 lbs I have fiddled with mine I know it is above the 220 and I know its not 3000.

Really this splitter does a good job of splitting within its power range. Just like any tool one learns it capabilities and works within the range not every piece has to be split down the middle

Just so you know, the breaker isn't working the way you think it is. For example, you're saying you'd go 200 feet with 12 gauge. If that is on a 20amp circuit, then you will get voltage drop which isn't dangerous, just probably not good for the splitter.

However, if you're thinking of using a 50 amp breaker with 10 gauge wiring, this is a very dangerous idea. That would require at least 8 probably 6 gauge wiring, if you were pulling 50 amps. The breaker wouldn't pop until the extension cord was melted or otherwise compromised. It takes a lot of amps to pop one, as you can run an oven off 50 amps. I would recommend wiring up a new circuit with a 30 amp double breaker (if you're doing 220) and using the appropriate plugs. I would definitely not use the welder's plug.

Also GFI..

 

[elkimmeg]

Yje curcuit is 20 map GFI protected the first 100' is 10/3 wire the next is 12/3 so its not 200' of 12 wire but only 100 the peak surge is about 15 amps Normal running 12 anp so even withba little drop off it not as bad a situation as many think The GFi would trip if it overloads 20 cords later and so far it has not tripped I will be moving the splitting opperation to 100' from the plug so O will be using the 10/3 wire extention cord . Mind you not all splitting was done 200' away either. only some of it.