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.
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/bodymann/0812111045a_zps1c23fabe.jpg) (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bodymann/media/0812111045a_zps1c23fabe.jpg.html)
Etch primer
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/bodymann/004_zpsfa596328.jpg) (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bodymann/media/004_zpsfa596328.jpg.html)
Atlas green
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/bodymann/011_zpse714f209.jpg) (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bodymann/media/011_zpse714f209.jpg.html)
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/bodymann/013_zps2224a866.jpg) (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bodymann/media/013_zps2224a866.jpg.html)
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/bodymann/014_zps8150d0ca.jpg) (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bodymann/media/014_zps8150d0ca.jpg.html)
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.
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/bodymann/015_zpsaa3ee2f3.jpg) (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bodymann/media/015_zpsaa3ee2f3.jpg.html)
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.
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/bodymann/woodcutting201110800x600_zps0fe694a0.jpg) (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bodymann/media/woodcutting201110800x600_zps0fe694a0.jpg.html)
Takes 12 to 13 trailer loads
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/bodymann/woodcutting20111800x600_zpsfca5ea64.jpg) (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bodymann/media/woodcutting20111800x600_zpsfca5ea64.jpg.html)
The old wood hauler/plow truck, 85 F250, 460, c6
(http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/bodymann/woodcutting20112800x600_zps0227ae40.jpg) (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bodymann/media/woodcutting20112800x600_zps0227ae40.jpg.html)
I wonder if it could split a PRIUS IN HALF. That would be NEAT!! That thing is a BEAST!!!! Never saw one that big. Have a great day guys.
That splitter looks like a beast.......Thanks for sharing !!
Not sure about the Prius there Tom, but have only found a couple chunks of wood that it wouldn't split. They were not that big of pieces, just gnarled up knotty messes. I guess I should name it the beast, 9 out of 10 people that see it make the same comment.