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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Far West Wimmera
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    Default Extraordinary Hydraulic Wood Splitter

    As mentioned in another thread, this morning I got a call to try to start a splitter motor for SWMBO's friend. Some may recall me mentioning "Don" who made this splitter. I was surprised to see this splitter when I arrived as the last I knew he had a shop bought unit. Apparently he decided the previous one was not good enough so he built this one himself. I will let the pictures tell the story.

    IMG_0129 Resize.jpg

    View from the towing end. This shows just how much planning and design went into this engineering masterpiece. Note the economical method used for the hydraulic tank cap.
    IMG_0126 Resize.jpg

    Working end.

    IMG_0122 Resize.jpg

    Working end closer in. Note the precision placement of all the strucural members and the starter system sitting on the table. Yes that is a socket extension for a handle.


    IMG_0120 Resize.jpg

    The underside of the lifting platform. More precision engineering.

    IMG_0118 Resize.jpg

    Another view which clearly shows the quality of the work. Note the special welding technique plus the planning and design aspects incorporated into this equipment.

    IMG_0133 Resize.jpg

    A close up of the axle mounting. The RHS on top of the axle is cut off a trailer chassis and welded to the frame. An extraordinarily economical method of construction. The left U-Bolt is on an angle due to its mount bracket being bent down, the axle is bent so the wheel leans in, but I believe this is just a balancing mechanism to even out the large difference in wheel and tyre widths.

    IMG_0119 Resize.jpg

    No expense spared in designing and building the pump mount.


    IMG_0134 Resize.jpg

    I think this is the best part tho. Notice how the ram / blade design incorporates a lubrication system so that there is always lubrication to assist the blade in splitting the wood. Pure genius.

    When I first arrived I walked around and around this engineering marvel staring at it trying to take in all the exceptional design and workmanship. I mentioned that it looked a somewhat like my splitter in design. I was told "yeah he said that he copied the idea from Dean's splitter". My immediate reply was "I hope he hasn't (insert expletive) told anyone this is a copy of mine!!!!!!

    I leave you to wonder.

    Dean

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    71
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    Default

    Thanks for that Dean. I remember seeing some fabrication work done very similar by a company called RAGE. (Ruff As Guts Engineering). But hey, if it works good luck to them, surprising what can be found around the farm that will make some excellent machinery. What was the old saying, Necessity is the Mother of Invention.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
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    35
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    Default

    In this case necessities child is really darn ugly.

  4. #4
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    In this case necessities child is really darn ugly.
    Just between you, me and the gatepost, so is the builder, just quietly.

    IMG_0129 Resize Crop.jpg

    Artistic is what it is. The 2 circles show ends which have been cleverly cut to look as if they are actually 2 sides of a broken weld.

    IMG_0127 Resize Crop.jpg

    The top of that piece has been made to look like a failed weld. Very clever. The hook is one off of a ratchet strap. That cable lifts the lifting platform, I think.


    Dean

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
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    Default

    I love the detailed description of the engineering prowess of the builder.
    Nicely done, Dean.
    I might have kept the post until April 1 next year.... but thanks for sharing early.
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by jhovel View Post
    I love the detailed description of the engineering prowess of the builder.
    Nicely done, Dean.
    I might have kept the post until April 1 next year.... but thanks for sharing early.
    Thanks Joe. I couldn't hold off until April.

    Another point I forgot.

    IMG_0123 Resize.jpg

    The piece that the red arrow is pointing at is 25mm x 125mm or 150mm flate plate. This has me puzzled. I am not sure why the design calls for such massive strength in this area as not much weight would be carried here. With my splitter I sometimes put pieces here that require further splitting, while I split another part of the same ring. The motor mount is welded to it so maybe that has something to do with it. It might be for future expansion in case he wants to fit a bigger motor. Of course. That must be it.

    This splitter is setup the opposite of mine so the wood travels the other way. This is a good enough reason to say it is not a copy of mine isn't it.

    Dean

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Lancaster, Ohio, USA
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    100

    Default

    He's giving Farmer welding a bad name.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by mcostello View Post
    He's giving Farmer welding a bad name.
    Agricultural engineering! His former home is a single house with a large back yard (full of junk) right in the middle of farming country so he is (was) not quite a farmer. I'm not quite a farmer too, but I do have some cows and sheep and a bit more pride in my work.

    Dean

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Lancaster, Ohio, USA
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    Default

    I live on an old farm and am able to kill almost everything I plant, I'll stick to machining.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Oatley NSW
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    Default

    When you drove onto the property did you hear dueling banjo's ?
    I can see he used the "throw metal into a pile and weld what you can" method, all carefully cleaned for good weld penetration.
    Its a wonder the unit dosnt fall apart working under pressure.

    Keith_W.

  11. #11
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    Jan 2011
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    Far West Wimmera
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    Default

    When you drove onto the property did you hear dueling banjo's ?
    Hmm. If he lived in Murica I know exactly what he would be called. Does it help that all 3 of his siblings are on a disability pension along with him. He still works pretty much full time and cuts firewood for sale.

    I can see he used the "throw metal into a pile and weld what you can" method, all carefully cleaned for good weld penetration.
    Oh.... Yes.... And here I was thinking it was careful planning and design. Silly me.

    Its a wonder the unit dosnt fall apart working under pressure.
    Don't say that. I will probably have to fix it and I will find it hard to know where to start. There is one part of it that is very well made. The drawbar. It was cut off a trailer and welded on and apears to be in good condition. The coupling is probably worn out tho. If I was given this I would probably save the drawbar and toss the rest, replacing the coupling as well. Even the hydraulic hoses have numerous leaks at joints.

    I think that the leaks from the ram that lubricate the blade also act as pressure relief to restrict the amount of pressure exerted.

    Dean

  12. #12
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    May 2008
    Location
    Perth
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    What an absolutely glorious machine
    I'd say he's got extensive welding and engineering experience, as he's merely testing the utmost limits of what can be done with metal, the deceptive strength hiding behind mounds of cocky poo and gas axe artwork

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by LordBug View Post
    What an absolutely glorious machine
    I'd say he's got extensive welding and engineering experience, as he's merely testing the utmost limits of what can be done with metal, the deceptive strength hiding behind mounds of cocky poo and gas axe artwork
    Yes, my thoughts are along the same line. If you ask him he will tell you all about his capabilities and how good he is.

    When I was splitting wood today I stopped and had a good look at my splitter and realised what a mess I had made of it. It looks boring, uninteresting, plain and practical. With a bit of artistic foresight I could have had something with a lot more excitement and appeal. Something that would say something to the world.

    Dean

  14. #14
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    If your neighbours machine could say "Something that would say something to the world" It would say "I'm embarrassed, hide me PLEASE???"
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  15. #15
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    Toorloo Arm, VIC
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    Default

    I especially like the second last photo in the first post, that demonstrates how carefully the number of bolts and their tension has been selected in order to allow the perfect amount of float in the axial alignment of the drive coupling.... Must have taken hours and hours to get that adjustment just so.

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