Worth swapping engines on my splitter?

[mikefrommaine]

I've got the northstar 30 ton splitter. It has the honda 160cc gx engine. Works fine except the cycle time could be better.

I have a briggs and scrap'em 205cc engine. Picked it up free, just needed the carb cleaned. Runs good though much louder than my honda.

Looks to be a direct swap -- mounting plate on the splitter even has the holes drilled for the bigger engine. Question is will I see much of an increase in speed?

 

[6mmbrer]

My .02 is stick with the Honda. I have a Tractor Supply 22 ton with what I think is a chinese briggs and scrapem. It lasted a year before the valves started sticking. It smokes like crazy when started. It's a piece of junk. I'm running it until it dies and then swapping it out for a Honda.

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

Mike
Awhile back there was a post on a diesel logsplitter. Lots of great information on that thread.

 

[Defiant]

Put a Honda on my splitter about 10 yrs ago when the B&S died, starts first pull everytime

 

[BrotherBart]

At the standard 3600 rpm of small one lungers I don't see how even a Chevy V8 would change cycle time if you keep the same pump.

 

[MasterMech]

Unless the Honda is struggling with too big of a pump, you will see zero increase in speed. Pump displacement and RPM determine how fast the machine runs.

 

[lukem]

Don't think you'll see any difference unless the Briggs run higher RPMs (which is most likely doesn't ) or you swap the engine AND put in a higher GPM pump to take advantage of the extra HP.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I agree. It is not the engine's fault for the slow cycle time.

In addition, you can speed things up a lot if you don't use the entire cycle. There is usually no need to let the ram go all the way back up.

 

[mikefrommaine]

I end up using the full cycle a lot because of the 4 way wedge and gnarly pieces of wood I split. And I cut the wood to 24". It's not that bad but faster would have been better
I have 196 cc Honda that I could use as well. But I had planned to use it on a pressure washer (have a spare CAT pump that I picked up)

This is the pump that is on the splitter - haldex barnes 11gpm

What got me thinking was that it spec'd 5 hp minimum. And it's also the same one used on the 22Ton model. Which has a smaller cylinder (and faster cycle times)

So if I can split everything (with the 4-way on) with the current engine there is no advantage to a bigger engine unless I use a different pump?

 

[MasterMech]

I end up using the full cycle a lot because of the 4 way wedge and gnarly pieces of wood I split. And I cut the wood to 24". It's not that bad but faster would have been better
I have 196 cc Honda that I could use as well. But I had planned to use it on a pressure washer (have a spare CAT pump that I picked up)

This is the pump that is on the splitter - haldex barnes 11gpm

What got me thinking was that it spec'd 5 hp minimum. And it's also the same one used on the 22Ton model. Which has a smaller cylinder (and faster cycle times)

So if I can split everything (with the 4-way on) with the current engine there is no advantage to a bigger engine unless I use a different pump?

Correct. I see a 16 gpm pump in your future. . They aren't terribly expensive either.

 

[Todd 2]

I have the same splitter and would like to upgrade to more gpm's when this one gets tired, the only problem is in 6 yrs now it hasn't slowed down yet. The little 160 gx honda sure runs sweet and quiet though.

 

[mikefrommaine]

It has been a great splitter for me as well. Very reliable and splits anything I put on it, even with the 4 way wedge.

But I think I might sell it if I can find the right old splitter project (that needs an engine.) One that I can add a log lift to and an out feed table like the Timber Wolf splitters.

I'm thinking more like 28gpm and 13HP 16hp would be about the right speed

 

[bogydave]

At the standard 3600 rpm of small one lungers I don't see how even a Chevy V8 would change cycle time if you keep the same pump.

+1

 

[evamaxx]

would the 28 gpm be 1 or 2 stage?

 

[blades]

At 16hp it would have to be 2 stage, otherwise he's going to need that V8 and I am not referencing the vegetable drink. Cycle times are directly related to flow rate. Very likely that all ports are I/2" and 1/2" lines and restricted fittings in between as well as a marginal size sump/tank. Standard commercial build on box store items. Nothing wrong that way. To quote a old tv show" we can rebuild faster stronger ect". Pocket book is limit.