Wood splitter drawing and dimensions. Cone wood splitters: design and DIY production

The process of collecting firewood has always been a labor-intensive task. For large volumes of work, it is irrational to use a traditional cleaver - manual labor has always been ineffective. The first attempts to mechanize this process were made in the mid-19th century in the USA. Development of railway communications and a large number of steam locomotives required huge supplies of ready-made firewood. Steam models of wood splitters replaced the labor of hundreds of workers. The performance of modern wood splitters depends on the type of design and operating principle.

How to choose a wood splitter

Sooner or later every owner wood stove or fireplace the question arises - to make hydraulic wood splitter do it yourself or buy factory model. The latter are distinguished by high performance and reliability. However, the high cost becomes a significant obstacle to making a purchase. Therefore, in some cases they prefer to make a homemade household wood splitter.

At the first stage, it is necessary to consider the basic parameters of the device. Productivity and performance depend on them.

• Location

In horizontal models, the logs are placed on a special bed. There are two types of such machines. One of them is with a moving knife and a block of wood. According to another scheme, the log is directed to the cutting tool using a feeding mechanism.

Vertical types are made with a fixed position of the workpiece. The knife acts on the surface of the log from above. Despite the high productivity, during work you often have to hold the workpiece with your hands. This is especially true for homemade models.

• type of drive

Selected depending on operating conditions. For fully autonomous models, it is recommended to use gasoline or diesel power units. Electric motors used for stationary types. For small volumes of workpieces, a mechanical wood splitter is used. Household models of such devices are characterized by reliability and simplicity of design.

If tractor equipment is available, wood splitters driven by a power take-off shaft are used. Thanks to this, you can split wood large diameter- up to 100cm.

• Cleaver shape

You can use a traditional cone or a modified cross. The latter splits the log into 4 parts in one operation, which is very convenient. However, this requires a lot of effort. These types of cleavers are used for hydraulic and mechanical types wood splitter

When using an electric drive or internal combustion engine, it is optimal to use a screw or conical cleaver. In addition to pressure, deformation of the barrel along the longitudinal axis occurs due to the rotational movement of the tip.

How to make a wood splitter so that the price is reasonable and the performance is optimal? To do this it is necessary to consider Various types equipment and evaluate the possibility of self-production.

Conical

This is one of the most simple types equipment. In order to make a screw wood splitter, you need to buy: a threaded cone, the main part, screw log splitter. You can order production for your shaft and purchase a threaded cone splitter for a screw wood splitter: >>> >>>on the ODROVA.RU website with delivery throughout Russia, click to order<<<

1. Bed. The table is made of sheet iron with a thickness of 2 mm. It is best to use a steel profile as support legs. At the rear of the structure there is a mounting area for mounting the gearbox.
2. Power unit. It can be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. Its power should be from 1.5 kW, rated voltage - 380 V. For normal operation, the number of revolutions varies from 400 to 600 rpm. It is located under the frame, providing additional stability to the structure.
3. Gearbox with pin for installing the working cone. Necessary for regulating the speed of the power unit. To improve performance, a screw wood splitter is most often used, the design of which differs only in the design of the cone nozzle. There is a spiral-shaped notch on its surface, which greatly simplifies the destruction of the wood core.

The advantage of such a machine is the affordable cost of individual components. Well suited for a private home or small wood-burning boiler room. However, it has disadvantages - low productivity and manual supply of logs. Therefore, for large volumes of processing, a different design is used.

Hydraulic

To process large volumes of wood, it is recommended to use hydraulic models of wood splitters. In these devices, the main power element is a cylinder, the rod of which extends under the influence of fluid pressure inside. For this purpose, a pump and motor are provided. There are two ways to position the cleaver - on the rod or in the stop structure. During manufacturing, it is rational to use a drawing with the second diagram, since the hydraulic cleaver remains static, which increases the reliability of the entire device.

When choosing a specific model, you should pay attention to such parameters.

• Cleaving force. Depends on engine power and cylinder size. Varies from 4 to 11 tone.
• The maximum workpiece size is from 50 to 200 cm.
• Engine power. Depends on its type: for electric it can be 1.2-2 kW.
• The location of the log is horizontal or vertical.

This type of wood splitter has high productivity, so it can be used for both commercial and domestic purposes. It is important to consider the processing speed of workpieces and their maximum diameter.

Rack and pinion

These models use a gear train to drive the cutting rack. A cleaver is attached to it, which splits the log. A standard rack and pinion splitter consists of a motor, a belt reducer, a gear and a splitting splitter located on the cutting rack.

The log is located between the protective stop on the gearbox housing and the cleaver. When the handle is pressed, the gears engage, causing the rack to move toward the casing, splitting the block. After removing the logs, by moving the handle back, the cleaver returns to its original position.

This is one of the most effective devices for home use. To reduce the cost of a homemade design, you can purchase a factory-made gear drive. Its cost is about 8.5 thousand rubles, then it is enough to make a table, install a gearbox with a gear on it, connecting it to an electric motor.

If you need to choose a factory model of a rack-and-pinion log splitter, you need to analyze its technical parameters:

1. Cleaving force.
2. Maximum workpiece length. In most cases it is 60 cm.
3. Cleaver shape. Some models have the ability to split a block of wood into 6 pieces in one pass of the rack.

Currently, there are many rack-and-pinion wood splitters on the market, differing in parameters, power of the power unit and dimensions of the processed logs. In addition, they have different prices, which can significantly affect the choice.

Prices

The cost of wood splitters depends on the type of design, power and productivity. Using the data from the summary table, you can form an objective opinion about the price category of a particular model.

Cone and screw splitters are not manufactured assembled. Most often, cones made of hardened steel grade ST45 are purchased at a price of 1,800 rubles. The remaining components are selected from scrap materials.

How advisable is it to make a wood splitter yourself? If you have the necessary components (electric motor, table, gearbox) and minimal metal processing skills, then it’s worth making a structure for private use with your own hands. For constant loads, it is recommended to purchase factory-made models, as they have greater productivity and differ from home-made ones in reliability and durability.

A wood splitter (also called a firewood harvesting machine) is a mechanism that is used to trim and mechanically split large logs into small logs that are convenient to use in everyday life.

The advantages of such a product are obvious:

• this is an excellent replacement for heavy mechanical labor chopping wood;
• the device lasts a very long time;
• the mechanism is simply designed - there are no complex elements in it, making it easy to maintain;
• The mechanism is mobile - it can be transported to different places.

Types of wood splitters

Wood splitters differ from each other in several ways. Depending on the work performed, there are 2 large classes of installations:

• wood splitter (also often called a cleaver) – it can only be used to split large logs into small logs; these mechanisms are mainly used at home;
• a wood splitting machine, which, along with the function of splitting logs, is capable of trimming blanks; more often used in industrial production.

According to the scope of application, wood splitters are distinguished:

• household (it is these wood splitters that are easiest to make with your own hands);
• industrial.

Mechanisms can operate due to different types of energies, according to which they distinguish:

There are wood splitters based on the characteristics of the workpiece supply:

Depending on whether the device can be moved, there are:

• mobile wood splitters (designed for small production volumes, as well as for household tasks);
• stationary (used on an industrial scale).

Finally, according to the principle of operation of the mechanism, they are distinguished:

Specifications

Wood splitters, made by hand or at the factory, as mechanisms, have their own parameters that characterize their production capabilities:

1. The splitting power is measured by the number of revolutions per minute; in industrial devices, 500-700 or more rpm is achieved.
2. The speed of movement of the piston is measured in centimeters per second (5-8 cm/sec).
3. The speed of the reverse movement of the piston (usually no more than 7-8 cm/sec).
4. Electric motor power (standardly achieved 1500-2000 W and above).
5. Working length is usually from half a meter to a meter.
6. Additional functions - wood splitters are often equipped with a 4-cut nozzle, due to which the productivity of the installation increases dramatically. Also, some models are equipped with a table lifting mechanism, which allows you to adjust the optimal height of the working surface.

At home, it is quite possible to make both the simplest cone and hydraulic wood splitters with your own hands.

Benefits of home installation

Such installations, as a rule, are inferior to factory devices in terms of power and appearance. However, for small volumes of home production they are ideally suited. The advantages of home mechanisms are as follows:

• they are much cheaper than professional machines;
• they are easy to assemble from the most common materials;
• since the assembly is carried out independently, you can take into account all the features of the mechanism that you need, to suit your needs;
• By assembling such a product by hand, you will gain valuable experience that can be useful in other business matters.

Mechanism requirements

Basically, any wood splitters (both self-made and factory-made) must meet a set of minimum requirements:

• Engine power not less than 2 kW
• All stationary and moving elements are made of solid steel.
• The minimum distance from the floor to the cone is 80-90 cm.
• In domestic conditions, the number of revolutions per minute is 400-500.
• Dimensions are selected approximately; in the standard version they are approximately equal to 85 * 40 * 65 cm (length, width and height, respectively).

Making a screw log splitter: step-by-step instructions and video

The simplest version of a wood splitter that you can make with your own hands is a screw splitter.

The device can easily split logs of almost any diameter, as is clearly shown in the video.

To make it, you will need a minimum of tools and materials:

• steel frame (the base to which all elements of the installation will be attached);
• engine, the power of which is selected according to individual needs;
• reduction gear;
• cone-nozzle with thread (its drawing is presented below)

A schematic drawing of the device is presented below.

The sequence of actions will be as follows:

Video review that describes in detail the purpose of the part

NOTE. It is very important to select the drill size and the optimal cone angle. It is these factors that determine the size of the log; small cones may not be able to cope with some of them. An indicative table is presented below.

How to properly work with a screw splitter

Before you start working with the device, you need to run it at idle speed to make sure that all elements work without failures and the engine gains the required power.

When working with a screw wood splitter, you need to follow a few simple rules:

1. The block is brought to the mechanism in a vertical position.
2. The height of the working surface of the table must first be adjusted to the desired level. If necessary, a board is placed.
3. The block is brought in pressed to the surface (it is incorrect to work in weight).
4. If the chock is large, then the bark may interfere with splitting - it can be cut off first (this is especially true for birch bark).
5. If there are knots in the block, it has an uneven internal structure, it is better to start splitting from the place where the internal layers of the tree are simpler.

NOTE. If the drill is firmly embedded in the surface of the wood, but no splitting occurs, you must immediately turn off the device. The cone is removed manually or by turning it in the opposite direction using a gas wrench (the installation is first disassembled). Such cases occur rarely and are mainly associated with gnarled trees. It is better to help with manual splitting, and then process the lump again on a wood splitter.

Do-it-yourself hydraulic wood splitter: step-by-step instructions and video

Unlike a screw splitter, a hydraulic splitter operates fully automatically, and a person’s task is only to monitor the progress of the operation and correct the logs in time, if necessary.

In this case, the block moves not due to human strength, but by a hydraulic mechanism. It can be connected to the tractor's power plant or another power source.

Video: do-it-yourself technology for assembling a hydraulic wood splitter mounted with a tractor.

A hydraulic splitter has more power and is therefore more difficult to manufacture than a cone splitter.

THIS IS INTERESTING. Using such a device of standard power, you can split approximately 7-10 logs per minute (correspondingly, up to 60 in an hour). You can compare this to the pace of manual production to feel the difference in time and effort.

A drawing of the device is presented below.

The following mechanisms will be needed:

• hydraulic pump;
• sleeves;
• mechanism engine (hydraulic pump drive) - can be either electric or gasoline powered;
• hydraulic tank, hydraulic distributor.

The schematic diagram is in the figure.

The performance of the entire system directly depends on the drive power - it is this parameter that should be focused on at the design stage of the mechanism.

In the simplest version, the sequence of actions will be as follows:

1. The hydraulic jack is rigidly fixed to the frame.
2. A wedge-shaped blade is installed at the opposite end of the frame, which will help to successfully split even large logs and logs with a complex internal structure (multi-layered, knotty).
3. The jack is connected to an engine - electric, gasoline or tractor traction.

The principle of operation of the device is that the press presses on the block, moves it towards the blade in the form of a wedge, and due to further mechanical pressure it splits against the wedge. In order for the jack to return to its original position, it is equipped with conventional springs. As a result, the entire process is fully automatic.

Features of the operation of a self-made gasoline-powered wood splitter:

Professional wood splitters: review of the champion lsh 5000 model

Along with the fact that it is quite possible to make a wood splitter with your own hands, you can also purchase a factory model. Products typically offer greater power, durability, and performance.

Let's look at the operating features and technical parameters of the device using the example of a champion lsh 5000 wood splitter operating on an electric motor.

Specifications

The wood splitter is a hydraulic mechanism powered by electric traction with an engine power of 2700 W. Its main characteristics are as follows:

1. Dimensions of the chock: diameter from 50 to 250 mm, length up to 520 mm.
2. Product dimensions 950*280*520 cm (length, width, height, respectively).
3. Product weight 43 kg.
4. Oil volume 3.5 l.
5. Pressure in the hydraulic system (average) 20 MPa.

Device diagram

The components of the structure are presented in the diagram.

The numbers indicate:

1. A lever that controls a hydraulic drive.
2. Protective surface.
3. Pusher.
4. A plate that guides the movement of the tree.
5. Device for splitting lumps.
6. Transport handle.
7. Support elements.
8. Electric motor.
9. Lever to turn off.
10. Block with control elements.
11. Wheel.

The side view shows the bolt that controls the oil level in the system (1) and the screw that supplies air to the hydraulic system (2).

Terms of Use

The wood splitter is used under the following environmental conditions:

• temperature range from +5 to +40оС;
• 1 load cycle lasts within 10 minutes;
• The maximum operating time under constant load conditions is 4 minutes, after which a break is taken for 5-6 minutes.

It is better not to use a wood splitter in extreme weather conditions (severe frosts), as well as in places with constantly high air humidity.
To take into account electrical safety, grounding is done using:

• metal pipe (diameter from 50 mm, length from 1600 mm);
• metal rod with a minimum diameter of 20 mm, a minimum length of 1600 mm;
• sheet of iron coated with zinc, with dimensions from 900*400 mm.

NOTE. The use of residues from pipelines containing flammable liquids (oil, gasoline, etc.) as grounding conductors is not allowed.

Preparing the wood splitter for work

Before turning on for the first time, you need to make sure that the protection plate is correctly installed and mounted securely enough. Next you need to prepare the wood splitter for work:

1. First you need to inspect all elements of the equipment to make sure there are no bolts, nuts and other foreign elements.
2. If faulty parts are found, it is better to replace them.
3. The mechanism is installed on a flat surface approximately 50-70 cm high from the floor. The work area should be wide enough.
4. Make sure that the wood splitter is secure and does not swing; if necessary, ensure its stable position using available means.
5. Before starting work, you need to slightly loosen the position of the air plug (screw) so that air can flow into the oil tank. At the end of the work, the screw is accordingly tightened back.
6. Before starting work (especially after a long break), you need to make sure that the device is functioning normally - to do this, you need to let it idle for 1 minute. If there are no extraneous sounds or noises, you can start working.

Features of working with a wood splitter

During work you need to follow several rules:

NOTE. Knocking out a stuck block with a hammer, axe, crowbar and other similar objects is quite risky - such actions can lead not only to damage to the working surface of the device, but also to its accidental startup. In this case, the wood splitter may fail, and such a breakdown cannot be repaired with your own hands.

Change of oil

Along with periodic inspections and replacements of failed mechanism elements, maintenance of the wood splitter involves timely oil changes. This should be done in this order:

NOTE. During operation, it is important to regularly check the oil level. The reference position is between two grooves on the bolt surface.

Possible faults

You can clearly see how to work on this model of wood splitter with your own hands:

In any household where wood-burning boilers are used for heating residential premises, preparing the required reserves of such fuel and preparing it for use traditionally takes a lot of time and physical effort. Therefore, some prudent owners are trying to somehow facilitate and speed up this process by mechanizing it. And an excellent solution is a wood splitter, which can be purchased ready-made or made independently.

Expert advice! It is important to pay attention to the type of thread: a persistent two-start thread is required; if you use a single-start thread, you will have to forcefully push the block onto the carrot cone. Ask your sellers for a two-start thrust thread. Otherwise, when using a single-start thread, you will have to force the logs onto the threaded cone with great effort!

Making a wood splitter with your own hands is not an easy task, but for a good, skilled owner it is completely solvable. This can be a purely mechanical option, or an installation equipped with a hydraulic drive, electric or liquid fuel motor. Many different models of homemade wood splitting machines have been developed, with significant differences in the principle of operation, dimensions, design complexity, designed to transmit horizontal and vertical force, etc. To decide which cleaver will be most suitable for both self-production and further use, it makes sense to consider several options available for assembly in a home workshop.

Existing types of wood splitter designs

Chopping large quantities of firewood by hand may have health benefits, but it is by no means a very enjoyable activity. In addition, this process takes a lot of time. Therefore, a wood splitter will never be superfluous on the farm.

When choosing the design of this device for self-production, you should not rely entirely on the varieties offered for purchase in specialized stores. There are quite a lot of them, and each of the wood splitters requires compliance with certain safety rules, which are not always feasible at home. In this regard, the first thing that needs to be done when planning to manufacture such a device yourself is to decide what quantity of firewood it is needed to harvest and in what climatic conditions. Various options are possible:

• For regular procurement of large volumes of wood fuel necessary for heating a large house located in a region with a harsh climate.
• For preparing small quantities of firewood for homes in regions with mild winter climates.
• For periodic splitting of firewood, which is used in addition to the main fuel - coal, briquettes, etc., or for heating commercial non-residential premises.
• For preparing a small amount of fuel for the fireplace or heating the cottage in winter when visiting it on weekends.

* * * * * * *

To make your own installation for splitting firewood, provided you have already developed a diagram, have the material and the necessary tools, it will probably take two to three days. But in the future, much more time and effort will be saved when preparing fuel reserves for the winter.

In conclusion, a video that shows a very small screw-type wood splitter and demonstrates its considerable capabilities. By the way, the argument that the logs are fed for splitting exclusively vertically will be clearly visible there.

Video: Small homemade screw wood splitter in action

Many people want to make a mechanical wood splitter with their own hands. However, not everyone knows where to start. It is interesting to read about the design of a particular device. They look quite attractive in the photographs.

The retail chain offers those interested a whole arsenal of machines for splitting logs. Quite interesting videos have been made for some of them; the features of their work are demonstrated over the years. On stands near the proposed models there are results of chopping firewood into individual logs.

Why do we need firewood - improving fuel quality

There are quite a lot of energy sources in the modern world:

1. Natural gas is available over large areas. It is enough to open the burner and light it, and a bluish light appears, which releases a significant heat flux.
2. The liquid fuel supplied through the injectors burns with a bright red or yellowish flame. Even heat engines use different types of liquid energy carriers.
3. Coal and its processed products have a long combustion cycle. The reddish flame gives off heat for a long time not only by convection; a powerful flow of thermal radiation reaches all surrounding objects.
4. Firewood was the first available source of heat. They remain relevant today.

Many homes use stove heating. Baths and saunas, when advertising their services, indicate that they use wood of certain tree species as a heat source. Outdoor cooking traditionally involves the use of wood in the technology of cooking food.

Theoretical foundations of heat engineering - solid fuel combustion

To make it easier to set fire to wood, it needs to be split into relatively small fragments. After splitting the logs into separate logs, the surface of contact of the combustible material with the air is increased. As a result, instantaneous heat transfer inside the firebox increases in proportion to the combustion area. Therefore, the procedure of chopping wood is a technique that allows you to increase the efficiency of fuel use.

Attention! Firewood chopped into logs is placed in woodpiles. They dry out in them. The moisture inside the wood evaporates rapidly. The apparent heat of combustion increases, since there is no need to waste energy on evaporating the liquid located in the intercellular space.

In thermal engineering, the following concepts have been introduced to characterize fuel:

• The highest calorific value, implying the total heat released during the combustion of a specific type of combustible substance.
• The lower calorific value is the actual amount of heat, which takes into account the energy costs for heating the fuel and the removal of ingredients from it during the combustion process that are not involved in the process itself.

Therefore, drying firewood is a technique that improves the performance of a fuel cell. Pre-grinding increases the efficiency of drying firewood, and subsequently burning it in a stove or other device for burning solid fuel.

Wood splitting process

There are different ways to chop wood. Traditionally, it is customary to strike with an ax, trying to split a sawn fragment of a log, striking the end part.

A heavy wedge (the ax is wedge-shaped) is inserted into the body of the log. If you come across wood without knots and with a loose structure, then even with relatively little physical effort, the wedge will be inserted inside. Tangential forces will push the fibers apart, causing the body to split into two components.

If the apex angle is made small, then the wedge-shaped body will penetrate deeply inside, but the magnitude of the tangential forces will be small. The destructive force will not be enough. The ax will jam in the resulting gap.

When a less acute angle is formed, the tangential forces will be more significant. They can split wood.

The rheological properties of different types of wood are studied in laboratories. Viscosity depends on many factors. It has been established that for most types of wood it is desirable to have a wedge with an apex angle of 25...30 °. Such a cutting tool has the best cutting properties in terms of splitting properties.

With slow penetration of the wedge, the kinetic energy not accumulated as a result of the swing and subsequent impact becomes decisive. The process occurs by introduction into a plastic body, where, when certain values ​​are reached, the bonds between the fibers are broken.

Research has shown that for wood splitters the apex angle should be 30...38 °. Then the penetration of the wedge will be accompanied by breaking the bonds with less effort. Only some species will resist: elm, maple, apple, cherry.

For pine, oak, ash and a number of other species, a small penetration into the body is sufficient. Breaking ties is quite easy.

The length of the block also influences the magnitude of the forces. The shorter it is, the less resistance the tree has when splitting. Usually the length is determined by the depth of the firebox - the firewood must be placed inside the stove so that the door can be closed.

Mechanical assistants for splitting wood

A number of metalworking enterprises produce wood splitters. Based on their operating principle, they are divided into several types:

1. Cleavers are installations for chopping action. The logs are placed on special supports, and then blows are applied with a weighted chisel.
2. The chopping wedge is placed motionless, and the objects to be split are supported on them. The blows are applied with heavy sledgehammers, the splitting is carried out when passing through a passive working element.
3. Pressers are installations with a mechanical pusher drive. The log is laid on a bed, and then it is pushed through a flat or cross-shaped knife.
4. Screw destroyers are embedded inside the layered material. Penetrating deeper, they split even strong and twisted wood.

Cutting wood with wedge devices

Wedges are the simplest devices for cutting wood. In them, the level of labor mechanization is minimal. The main task of the device is the oriented fixation of the block relative to the cutting edges. The blows are delivered by the user himself, swinging a heavy hammer or sledgehammer.

In cleavers, the movement of the wedge ax is carried out along a constant trajectory. The processing object is placed on a stationary platform. To maximize the impact force, the mass of the actuator is increased.

To soften the operation of the device, it is equipped with powerful springs. They soften the impact at the end point, preventing the wedge from touching the supports (preventing the wedge from dulling). Along the way, the springs help the user lift the heavy knife to strike again.

In a stable position, the entire system is in a balanced state. The moment created by the weight of the load G located on the arm L₁ is balanced by the force of the spring F on the arm L₂.

G·L₁ = F·L₂

It is most convenient to use springs from a car. For standard cars, the initial compression value is F = 8 kN (800 kg). Shoulder L₁ = 2.0 m. Taking arm L₂ = 0.3 m, the weight of the load G = 300 kN (30 kg) is obtained. The spring mechanism works quite softly, although the action of the wood splitter is based on striking the logs being cut.

The person lifts the load from the waist level by 0.5...0.6 m. Then the wedge is released. He falls and breaks the log. If complete destruction has not occurred, then you have to lift the cleaver and the block. With subsequent impacts, the weight of the entire system acts, and the impact is stronger. Even knotty scraps break when struck repeatedly.

Mechanisms for feeding logs for splitting

Wood splitters, which implement the principle of pressing through fixed knives, mechanize the main technological process: splitting logs into separate fragments. Based on the type of pusher drive, it is customary to determine:

• Hydraulic, in which the pushers are connected to the rods of hydraulic cylinders. The pump creates pressure in the oil, which is transmitted inside the mechanism. These are the simplest designs, since hydraulic drive devices do not have additional energy converters.

• Inertial ones use rotating masses. The energy accumulated by the flywheels is converted into forward movement of the pusher. The devices use special clutches that are engaged by the operator after installing a piece of log on the bed.

• Rack and pinion mechanisms use a converter from rotational to translational motion using a gear and a rack with teeth. At the right moment, the gear rotates until it engages the teeth of the actuator. The pusher moves the block onto the stationary knives. It splits into smaller elements.

• The crank mechanism receives torque from the gearbox. It is converted into translational movement of the pusher. Switching on (off) is regulated by a constantly open clutch. At the right moment, the operator engages the clutch, the crank begins to rotate, causing the connecting rod to move forward. The cycle ends with the return of the crank and connecting rod to their original position.

• Split nut and lead screw. The engine turns on, the rotation of the shaft is transmitted to the lead screw. At the right moment, the split nut is connected, the rotating shaft moves it, acting on the pusher. To return, the direction of rotation of the shaft is changed (a reverse rotation gear is used).

Such devices do not have high performance, but they take up relatively little space. They are installed in woodsheds (rooms for storing firewood). There they also split the bars into small logs and wood chips.

The machine includes:

1. An electric motor transmits torque from it to the actuator.
2. Drive and driven pulleys with a V-belt, a reduction V-belt transmission helps to increase torque and also reduce the rotation speed on the main part of the device.
3. The cone is the main working body. A persistent conical thread is cut on the conical surface. When rotating inside the body being destroyed, the conical screw part cuts deeper, pulling the log towards the support.
4. A wedge is an auxiliary device that helps destroy a drawn part.

The mechanism is simple, it is controlled by one person. During the work, you have to feed the block of wood onto the cone. Its design is more complex. The thrust thread is cut with a pitch of 7 mm.

Making your own wood splitter

Many residents of rural areas, as well as summer residents, have questions: “How to make a mechanical wood splitter with your own hands? How difficult is it to make a wood chopping machine?”

Even more questions arise during the manufacturing process. You can start with the simplest device. Having mastered the techniques of working with it, you can move on to making more complex wood splitters and more.

Step-by-step guide to making a spring log splitter

To complete the work you will need the following tools:

• Angle grinder (grinder) with a set of cutting discs and cleaning flap wheels.
• Welding machines and modern inverter-type household devices for welding steel structures are relatively small in weight. The process is carried out using direct current, so the welds are neat, and the molten metal of the electrode completely fills the joints between the parts.
• Clamps will help connect the parts to be welded.
• Measuring and marking tools will help produce blanks for future designs.

Materials needed:

1. Channel No. 10...16 (the number determines the height expressed in centimeters).
2. Profile pipe 40·60 mm (30·60 mm).
3. Rail 300…400 mm long.
4. I-beam No. 12...16.
5. Corner No. 30...50.
6. Bushing from the car suspension (it may have wear).
7. Pipes with a diameter of 40...70 mm.
8. A suspension spring for a passenger car, for example, from a VAZ.

Before starting work, a preliminary design is drawn. Some craftsmen have mastered engineering design programs, with the help of which they can work out the details of a future product. Manufacturing details are shown below.

An approximate diagram will help you navigate the process of manufacturing the installation.

The support is made from the channel. A stand is welded to it. It is best to use an I-beam for the rack. This type of rolled product has high rigidity. Under prolonged loads, it is quite difficult to bend such an element.

To ensure stability of the base, jibs are welded to it. Additionally, stops are created from the existing pipes; they will prevent a possible fall of the entire product.

A support for the spring is cut from the channel. A square hole is sawn through it. This will allow you to securely fix the element on the rack in the future.

The installation height of the support is determined by the length of the existing spring. At the same time, they focus on the height of the entire wood splitter, as well as its ease of use for humans. It is convenient to lift a load located at waist height. You will have to lift it slightly above chest level.

All these considerations will allow you to choose the height of installation of the spring support on the strut.

The corners are used to make jibs. They will hold the support. Then, when the wood splitter is dynamically loaded, there will be no displacement of the supporting surface.

To fix the lower end of the spring, you need to make a cylindrical clamp. A small piece of pipe is used to make it. It is advisable to select a pipe according to the inner diameter of the spring. Then it will not move during operation.

There is a slot in the top of the rack. A bushing is installed in it. Then it is boiled. When installing, you must maintain perpendicularity to the rack. The hub axis must be parallel to the ground. For welding, a conductor is used that will allow the specified conditions to be met.

The shaft is installed in the sleeve. A rocker arm is welded to it (a channel is used). A small piece of pipe is mounted on the lower part of the rocker. The upper part of the spring will be fixed in it.

In order for the rocker to move freely, a window is cut into it; its dimensions depend on the parameters of the rack.

A profile pipe is welded to the rocker arm. A chisel is installed at its end. These tools are made from carbon steel U9...U10. The hardness of this metal is HRC 60...63. This tool will last a long time. During operation, it is easy to sharpen it using an angle grinder and a grinding wheel.

The wood splitter becomes operational. A load (part of the rail) is welded above the chisel. For ease of use, the handle is welded. To reduce damage to your hands, wear rubber elements. They will dampen vibration upon impact.

To work, you will need to install a large piece of log. Logs will be placed on it, which will have to be cut.

The log is held with one hand. They raise the cleaver and then strike.

The cleaver goes down. The fragment located below splits. The chisel goes lower. If a complete split occurs, the point hits the wood support and does not become dull.

Organization of the production process

After making the wood splitter, you will have to start chopping firewood. In order for the job to be done easily, it is necessary to properly organize the production process.

The sawn fragments should be placed on one side. To get less tired, the distance should be only two or three steps.

It is advisable to place the chopped logs on a cart. The volume of the cart is small; no more than 30...40 kg of firewood will fit into it.

After filling, they need to be transported and placed on a woodpile. While the chopped firewood is being transported to the storage location, you can take a break from your main work. Changing activities is also a vacation.

Video: do-it-yourself mechanical wood splitter or how to assemble a wood splitter.

Conclusion

1. You can make the preparation of firewood easier by using wood splitters. The simplest types of these devices can be made by hand.
2. By following step-by-step steps when making your own spring device, it is easy to independently make a convenient impact wood splitter.

Chopping wood is an extremely tedious process, fraught with danger and taking a lot of time and effort. That is why many people who have to regularly perform this work try to purchase a special wood splitter or even make one themselves. Of course, to assemble a wood splitter with your own hands, you need drawings, photos, and instructions. But in addition, you need to know which model to give preference to.

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What types of wood splitters are there?

So, before answering the question of how to make a wood splitter with your own hands, you need to decide which model is the best solution for a particular user. Today, the three most common options are:

• hydraulic;
• electric;
• manual (inertial).

Now let's look at each of these options in more detail, so that the potential user can choose the most suitable mechanism for splitting firewood.

Hydraulic

Perhaps the hydraulic wood splitter is the most popular. The fact is that it is he who has the greatest productivity.

When working with such equipment, you can easily and quickly cut almost any wood, including wet and durable wood.

The main element of this wood splitter is the hydraulic cylinder. A log is placed on it, after which the cylinder, under the pressure of the liquid, pushes the sharpened blade.

Thanks to the significant pressure, the work is completed in a second. High productivity allows you to chop a large amount of firewood in the shortest possible time.

Important! When choosing the material from which the blade will be made on a hand-assembled wood splitter, give preference to the hardest grades of steel so that you do not have to sharpen it often.

Alas, this type of equipment is the most difficult to manufacture. Therefore, to construct a hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands, drawings will not be enough - you also need to have considerable experience working with such mechanisms.

Electric wood splitter

A more budget-friendly option, which also does not require special forces - by observing certain safety precautions, even a ten-year-old child can successfully work with it. The operating principle is similar to hydraulic. However, here the blade does not split the log under the influence of a hydraulic mechanism. Here the main operating force is the electric motor.

Thanks to its simpler design, it costs significantly less. And it will be much easier to assemble it yourself (if you have the appropriate components).

Important! When installing an electric log splitter, choose a location on a slight hill and be sure to place a rubber mat under it to avoid shorting if the ground is wet after rain.

However, there are certain limitations. First, you need to have a source of electricity nearby. However, in most dachas and private houses this is not a problem. Second, make sure the wiring can handle the additional load. A wood splitter with a gearbox, either a homemade one or a factory one, is equipped with a fairly powerful engine, and if the wiring is too weak, this can lead to knocked out plugs.

Manual (inertial) wood splitter

The layout of this type of wood splitter is simple, which makes it a certain popularity. No engine is needed for manufacturing, and even a person who is not too accustomed to working with his hands can handle the assembly.

A blade is installed on a long, about one and a half meter, metal pipe. A log is fixed under it, on which a log is placed. After this, the user simply swings the main working part down.

Muscular force combined with inertia easily splits most logs that would be quite difficult to handle manually.

In some cases, the wood splitter is modified. For example, the working part is equipped with a spring at the bottom, the other end of which is fixed near the block.

The user lifts the part with the blade manually, unbending the spring, and then abruptly releases it - under its weight and the tension of the spring, the blade delivers a strong blow, cutting even a problem log with knots.

You can also hang a small weight on the opposite end of the pipe - this will significantly facilitate the lifting process, although it will slightly reduce the impact power.

Finally, additional weight can be placed on the metal pipe in the area of ​​the blade. It will be harder to lift the blade, but the blow will be much stronger.

The advantage of a manual or inertial wood splitter is its simplicity, unpretentiousness and the ability to assemble from improvised means. But there is also a minus. You need to have a certain amount of physical strength to successfully chop enough wood. And this will take much more time than when working with a hydraulic or electrical device.

Which wood splitter to choose

The most common types of wood splitters are described above. They can be made by hand - some are simpler, others more difficult. But having a drawing, anyone can install a homemade wood splitter in their dacha.

Let's start with the hydraulic one. Its main advantage is high performance and ease of operation. But there is also a minus - it is complex; to create it you will need special equipment and certain skills that not every person has. Such equipment should be preferred in cases where the user will regularly work with a large amount of firewood.

The advantage of an electric wood splitter is its greater simplicity and power, which is not inferior to a hydraulic one. A very good solution for an ordinary summer resident - you can prepare several cubic meters of firewood with such an assistant without much difficulty. And in order to heat the bathhouse throughout the summer season, and during frosts to slightly heat the main living space, this will be quite enough.

Finally, a manual wood splitter. As already mentioned, it is simple. Almost everything you need can be found at a ferrous metal collection point, paying no more than a few hundred rubles for the necessary components, and sometimes much less. But to work productively with it, you need to have good physical fitness.

Although it is easier to chop wood with an inertial wood splitter than with a regular cleaver, it is still quite difficult. Therefore, it should be chosen only by people who have remarkable strength, but who are unwilling or unable to work as a cleaver. However, if you need to chop just a few logs into logs, without risking your health (inept handling of an ax often leads to serious danger) and without getting too tired, this solution will be successful.

Classification of wood splitters

In addition to those models that were described earlier, there are others. For example, with a cone-shaped cleaver. A very convenient solution, most often created on the basis of electrical equipment. Using any sufficiently powerful engine (suitable from a pump, motorcycle or even a washing machine), you can easily produce high-quality equipment. The cone rotates at high speed - just bring the log to it and apply light pressure so that it splits along the fibers. There is no need to swing an ax - even an inexperienced user will take a matter of seconds to turn a heavy log into a pile of logs suitable for burning in a stove.

Drawing of a rack-and-pinion wood splitter.

Drawings of a rack-and-pinion wood splitter are also popular - many users want to make one with their own hands. Why is he interesting? In general, it is similar to a conventional hydraulic one. There is only one difference here. If in most wood splitters a blade is driven into a log, then on a rack splitter it’s the opposite - the log splits on the blade. To do this, a blade is installed on a suitable platform (usually made of thick sheet metal). A block of wood is placed in front of it, on which the moving part of the wood splitter presses. In a second, a thick, weighty log splits in half, then into four parts, and so on.

A simple mechanism for chopping firewood from scrap materials

Our people are distinguished by their ingenuity and love for non-standard solutions. Therefore, many craftsmen make a mechanical wood splitter with their own hands. It consists of a frame with a knife attached on one side and a tight spring on the other. A block of wood is placed on the frame (usually not very large so that it can be easily split in one go), after which the spring is tightened.

This is done either manually or using a special gate. Then the spring is suddenly released. She delivers a strong blow to the log, which splits on the knife. The mechanism is simple, but at the same time reliable, effective and does not require much physical strength.

How to make a manual wood splitter with your own hands

Let's start with the simplest option - we'll tell you how to make a manual wood splitter at home. In fact, it’s not even a wood splitter, but a simple device that simplifies the process of chopping wood and makes it safer.

• To do this you will need:
• a thick metal sheet (7-10 mm thick) measuring 150x600 mm – the future blade;
• metal plate 5 mm thick and 300x300 mm in size - base;

metal rod (the cross-section can be either round or square, but not less than 20 mm) - about 3 meters.

Now let's start assembling. The scheme of a homemade wood splitter is as simple as possible. The thick sheet is cut into pieces: one 150x300 and two 150x150 millimeters. They are sharpened on one side and welded to a metal base in the shape of a cross.

The rod is cut into two parts: 1 and 2 meters. The first is welded to the base from the side, strictly perpendicular. The second is bent into a circle and welded to the first at a height of 30 cm.

That's all, the design is ready. Now insert the log into the ring formed by the rod, resting it against the sharpened cross, and strike it from above with a sledgehammer - it will split into four neat parts.

If you want to make a spring cleaver with your own hands, you don’t need drawings - the diagram here is as simple as possible. You only need a few details:

• metal corners;
• two pieces of channel;
• a powerful spring (you can use a spring from a car);
• a plate that acts as a knife (you can use an old cleaver);
• hinge joint;
• a piece of pipe whose diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the spring;
• weighting material

When you have everything you need, you can start assembling:

1. Using one channel as a base, weld a second one perpendicular to it.
2. Prepare a site for installing the spring.
3. Weld the pipe and spacers (corners) onto the base.
4. Using a grinder, make a cutout on the beam through which the structure will be attached to the base.
5. Weld the beam.
6. Hang the beam with the hinge assembly onto the support.
7. Install the spring.
8. Fix the boulder on the moving beam.
9. Weld the weighting material on top of the boulder.

The structure is ready - you can paint it to protect it from rust.

Carrot wood splitter

This is the popular nickname for a wood splitter that uses a screw to split wood. Here the design is more complicated - to assemble a screw wood splitter with your own hands, you will need drawings, photos, and instructions.

• Before you begin, prepare:
• the engine is quite powerful and provides a rotation speed of 200-250 rpm;
• cone with screw thread with a diameter of 5-6 cm and a length of 20-22 cm;
• two rotation supports;
• chain;

shaft 30 cm long and 3 cm thick.

Drawing of a carrot wood splitter.

1. Problems usually arise when searching for a cone - the easiest way is to order it from turners or buy it in a store; it is not too expensive. Now get started:
2. Install the shaft onto the bearing and weld the flange at the back.
3. Place the cone on the shaft and secure it.
4. Weld the supports to the bearing to secure the structure to the table.
5. Make a spacer between the engine and the shaft - use it to tension the chain.

Place the structure on the table, fix and tension the chain between the flange and the motor.

If you use an electric motor, do not forget to protect the structure from moisture, and if possible, ground it.

How to make a hydraulic wood splitter , The hydraulic wood splitter is the most complex. Typically, the engine is a gasoline engine from a car or motorcycle.

1. It’s worth warning right away - its creation will not be cheap. But the comfort of work and productivity fully compensate for the costs. So, what do you need to assemble a gasoline wood splitter with your own hands?
2. Hydraulic distributor – 3500.
3. Hydraulic cylinder 100x40x61 – 10500.
4. NSh32 – 1500.
5. Drive NSh – 4000.
6. Hubs from a VAZ 1500 car.
7. Engine pulley – 1000.
8. V-belts – 900.
9. 40 liters of hydraulic oil – 2500.
10. Couplings and high pressure hoses – 2500.
11. Flanges for NSh – 400.
12. Metal plate – 1000.
13. Metal profile – 4000.
14. Fastening material – 700.
15. Engine oil - 400.
16. Rubber hose and clamps – 300.
17. Paint – 600.
18. 2 kg of electrodes f4mm and 5 kg f3mm – 1000.
19. Wheels for an angle grinder (regular and clearing) – 700.
20. Brush for applying paint – 100.

In total, you will have to pay about 51 thousand rubles, and maybe more. If you have purchased all the necessary elements, you can get to work.

Assembling the frame

The assembly proceeds as follows:

1. Weld a 30x30 mm corner - a hub - to a 50 mm pipe. You should get two triangles.
2. On the front axle, made from a 60x60 mm corner, weld spacers from a 30x30 mm corner.
3. Attach the wheels to the axle.
4. Weld a base onto the rear axle on which you will place the engine.
5. Weld a strong channel frame.
6. Assemble a movable structure from 80 mm channel.
7. Weld a triangular platform from a channel that pushes the log onto the knife.
8. To prevent the log from falling, secure stops on both sides of the platform.

How to make a splitting knife

A good cleaver is the basis for comfortable and safe work. A piece of Kamaz spring will do. Fortunately, its manufacture is a relatively simple procedure - to make a firewood splitter with your own hands, you don’t need drawings. But you can’t do without tools - you’ll need a sharpening machine.

Sharpen the metal - the angle should be 60-70 degrees. Weld the knife onto the bed.

How to assemble the motor and oil tank

You can use an empty propane tank as an oil tank. The work is as follows:

1. Fill the balloon with water.
2. Without pouring out the water, cut off the valve using a grinder.
3. Create a sump - separate a quarter of the volume of the cylinder by installing a steel partition at least 10 cm high.
4. Install a filter mesh equipped with a magnet 5 cm from the bottom. The filter will retain chips, increasing engine life.
5. Weld the pipe - oil will flow through it into the pump. The fence should not reach the very bottom so that the pump does not suck up debris.
6. Place the tank just above the pump using a level

How to make a wood splitter mobile

Do you want to be able to easily and quickly move a homemade wood splitter, made by yourself, that weighs a hundredweight or even more?

Equip it with small wheels, for example, from a garden wheelbarrow.

The most careful users also install brakes on the wheels.

But you can use several bricks to keep the structure securely in place.

What is the difference between a homemade wood splitter and a factory model?

The main difference is the cost. Even if you decide to make a hydraulic wood splitter, for the components for which you will pay about 50 thousand rubles, you will still save a lot. After all, the cost of a factory one starts at 100 thousand. There is no need to talk about screw or manual ones - they will cost several hundred or thousand rubles, because everything you need is available in many farms or can be purchased quite inexpensively.

Now you have a good understanding of the types of wood splitters and can easily make the right one.