Splitter Mechanical Question

[byQ]

I have an 8-ton Brave EZ Split log splitter. It is a smaller horizontal type. It had a 3.5 HP Briggs & Stratton. I split many cord with this little splitter. The motor finally gave out - immediate loss of power sputtering (ring/piston bad).

Anyways, I had the choice of replacing the motor with a new mostly identical 3.5 HP briggs or having the 6.5 HP predator (Harbor Freight) bolted on. I am going with the bigger 6.5 HP motor (almost a bolt on - new base plate holes and gas tank needed raising). The 6.5 HP vs a 3.5 HP motor on the same platform means what exactly?

The cycle time will be identical? The only difference is that the bigger motor will have more force thus being able to split wood that the 3.5 HP had trouble with? Obviously the bigger motor will use more gas.

 

[D9H]

I think cycle time would be the same, at least to the point that the big motor spins as fast as the little one. I would think the max working pressure would be much higher, hope your hoses are strong!

What kind of rock is in your hand there? I'm a rock guy and that is driving me crazy I can't think of it.

 

[greg13]

You have it right, Cycle time is based on RPMs, not horse power.
You may be able to split a little bigger logs, but the relief pressure will still be the same.

 

[byQ]

D9H, I don't know what kind of rock it is - but it is dense. It is from this area (Southern Idaho). I've got the thin flag stone (pictured). And I obtained some chunks that I am going to use around the edges on the masonry heater I'm building. I also found some petrified wood rock that I'll also use around the edges/above firebox. Idaho (the gem state) is a great place for a rock hound. I see you are from Colorado.

greg13, a relief valve is designed such that the pressure in the hydraulic lines only can go so far and than it kicks in lessening the force? So the greater push that the bigger engine is making could be negated? I'll try splitting with it in the spring and if it isn't splitting any better I guess I will need to replace the relief valve to a valve that will not do its relief thing until a higher force is reached. Thanks for the info.

 

[triptester]

Increasing HP will allow the relief setting to be raised, but exceeding the ratings of any of the hydraulic components can lead to damage.
A 3000 lb. load in a 2000b. rated trailer.

 

[ill_make_you_famous]

I also have a 8 ton brave. I got it with the 4.5 also blown but the trade included a 6.5 hp b&s. Had to drill new holes on the mounting plate and put washers between motor and mounting plate to lift it a little because one corner of the motor was rubbing a wheel. Other than that, it runs and splits great. I got it in July and have around 2 cords through it so far.

 

[ill_make_you_famous]

And I'd guess the cycle time to be the same as advertised, 18 seconds I beleiv? Only thing I have failed to split was a big crotch price of oak, but did split around it and broke the round down. I love the little workhorse

 

[byQ]

And I'd guess the cycle time to be the same as advertised, 18 seconds I beleiv? Only thing I have failed to split was a big crotch price of oak, but did split around it and broke the round down. I love the little workhorse

Thanks that gives me hope. My EZ split with the 3.5 HP couldn't split some dry knotty ash. I tried several times but the wood won each time. And, I had some dry red elm that it could split. Where I live I have to drive to get firewood. I want to roll this little splitter to the big/medium rounds, and split them into halves/quarters. This could save a lot of heavy lifting/rolling. It should be a handy portable splitter.

 

[ill_make_you_famous]

I have the attachment that's fits on the receiver of my pickup. I drive a dodge Dakota so it sits low enough that I can just roll the big rounds up on it, works great so I don't have to lift it but once, putting it on and taking it off. Also sits low enough that I ripped a wheel off when I had it at the end of the attachment and hit a dip in a field. Luckily a regular lawn mower wheel fits it, I'm back in business now and plan to split another load tomorrow

 

[greg13]

Increasing HP will allow the relief setting to be raised, but exceeding the ratings of any of the hydraulic components can lead to damage.
A 3000 lb. load in a 2000b. rated trailer.

Over pressurizing a system can lead to problems such as blown hoses and I have seen split pumps.A larger Cylinder will give more tonnage with the same pressure.
At that point you are just building a larger splitter one piece at a time.

 

[Squire]

You need to make sure that your pump and your cylindar will be able to handle the increase in horse power. Remember that both of these were set with gaskets o rings and such with the lower horse power and you might add more problems with the increase in horse power.

 

[ill_make_you_famous]

I guess I'm ignorant of this subject. I thought the both run at 3000 rpm so there wouldn't be an issue since I'm not messing with anything else, no? Wonder if it'd be more safe to run it at 3/4 throttle with the 6.5

 

[byQ]

I guess I'm ignorant of this subject. I thought the both run at 3000 rpm so there wouldn't be an issue since I'm not messing with anything else, no? Wonder if it'd be more safe to run it at 3/4 throttle with the 6.5

You say your 6.5HP engine on the EZ Split didn't split a big oak crotch. That was a good test - nothing stopped working. That would be good enough for me. Running it at lower idle may be something I do.

 

[triptester]

Lowering rpms to 3/4 throttle only cuts gpm output by 25%. It does not change max. pressure. On your present splitter installing a larger engine will change nothing and no damage will accure unless other changes are also made.