Wood Splitter Rebuild

August 25, 2014, 01:10:59 AM

For the last few years I have been threatening to replace the beam on my wood splitter. It was wearing thin and starting to bend up at the edges. I purchased the splitter used about 15 years ago and the first year used it as it was. Gave it a bit of a makeover before the second year, changed the pump and made it direct drive instead of chain drive, added a larger hydraulic tank, cylinder, and new valve.

This redo includes a heavier beam, tube brace to hold up the front of the motor, built in stand, and a strap to help hold the hydraulic tank. I also blasted and painted it this time around, most of it anyway. My original plan for paint was Stihl orange and white, but decided it would be less noticeable when I leave it in the woods atlas green. It has a 4 cyl air cooled Wisconsin motor (30 hp) 28 gpm 2 stage pump, and a 5" bore 24" stroke cylinder. The splitting wedge is 12" tall.

Any way, I enjoyed seeing what others have posted for wood splitters/adventures in wood heating, so thought I would post up some of mine.

You can see how the motor is tipping forward, and my stand was a chunk of wood.

Etch primer

Atlas green

The bracket on top of the hydraulic tank holds a 5 gallon boat gas tank. Still need to get the high pressure and return hoses made.

This is the pile of wood it takes to get thru the winter each year. In a few weeks I will need to get started for this winter. It's about 40 feet long and the ceiling is 14'. This pic is the fall of 2011.

Takes 12 to 13 trailer loads

The old wood hauler/plow truck, 85 F250, 460, c6