The simplest DIY wood splitter. Screw wood splitter: types, pros and cons, DIY production

Whatever the device is called: a wood splitter or a hydraulic wood splitter, its essence is the same. The main element that determines power and performance is the engine. In everyday life, many people have enough force of the device equal to 3–5 tons. More powerful wood splitters are already purchased for industrial purposes; they are capable of working with longer and thicker logs.

The average stroke is limited to 52 cm.

Those cleavers that are powered by an electric motor can be connected to a 220 or 280V network.

What does a wood splitter consist of?

A do-it-yourself hydraulic wood splitter includes the following parts:

  • bed ;
  • emphasis;
  • cylinder;
  • wedge blade;
  • pump;
  • pressure distributor for fluid supply and return;
  • oil filling tank;
  • an electric motor driving the pump.

The hydraulic wood splitter circuit is the same for both the vertical and horizontal versions. Only in the vertical version, instead of the heel, a cutting device is installed. And there can be any improvements to it, whatever your imagination allows.


Operating principle of the device

Conventional wood splitters often break down, because even with a small cylinder diameter of 9–10 cm, a voltage of up to 10 tons is created in it, while the electric motor continues to work and rotate the device, even if the log does not want to split. In a hydraulic log splitter, there is a smooth, gradual increase in force; if there is a lack of force, the cylinder will simply stop rotating, and even with further rotation of the oil pump, no breakdown will occur.

Hydraulic cleaver "Gorynych"


One of the most popular cleavers on the market is “Gorynych”. Speed ​​is king distinctive feature this hydro splitter. Today it has no competitors. The reliability shown over previous years of operation breaks all records. Over the 9 years of existence of the Gorynych cleaver, more than 18 thousand m3 of forest were processed. And at the same time, not a single unit became unusable. And you can work with it both at +30 and at -30 - the engine, pump, distributor and hydraulic cylinder do an excellent job with any job at any time of the year. The technology is patented.

Wood splitter "Gorynych" 6T and its technical characteristics.

Key achievements:

  1. One cycle takes 2.5 seconds.
  2. It has unique parts and assembly that allows it to work at any temperature.
  3. Knife made of hardened iron. It is extremely difficult to blunt it.
  4. All parts are repairable.
  5. The structure is coated with a special compound, which makes the structure resistant to external natural influences.

Video of Gorynych’s work:


Indicators of such a wood splitter:

  • 25 logs were split in 3 minutes.
  • For 1 hour – 500 chocks.
  • If we take a workpiece with an average diameter of 20 cm and a length of 40, then we get 6.28 m3/hour

Prices

Considering many positive factors and reviews, prices for Gorynych are not very high. It won’t be much cheaper to assemble a homemade wood splitter. Please review the estimate below.

The cost is average and may vary depending on the store and region.

Prices start from 100,000 rubles. Some little-known and low-power units can be found cheaper. The maximum price is 250,000 rubles. But for domestic needs, models up to 150,000 rubles will be used, these include Gorynych 6T and Gorynych 220. The latest model is electric.

Do hydraulic cleaver for firewood it will not be difficult. The main snag is in its hydraulic part, circuit, connection methods and calculation of components, which we will consider.

We will not consider in detail the structure of the body, work table, wedge, transportation capabilities and similar functions, for the simple reason that they mainly depend on the imagination and needs of a particular master. They do not affect the main task of the cleaver in any way. But a number general recommendations We'll give it below.

The minimum that a simple hydraulic wood splitter can consist of is:

  • hydraulic pump;
  • hydraulic pump drive (engine);
  • hydraulic distributor;
  • hydraulic tank;
  • hydraulic cylinder;
  • sleeves;
  • connecting elements.

Before constructing a homemade hydraulic splitter, you need to decide on its power, namely, how much hydraulic cylinder force is required. An error at this stage leads to the fact that the drive power may not be enough. Accordingly, the engine will jam on knotty wood or large logs.

Acquainted with hydraulic circuit You can see a simple wood splitter in the photo. It includes a minimum of components. It is worth paying attention to the presence of your own safety valve at the hydraulic distributor. Its presence will not help in any way to improve or simplify the main task of the device, but it always needs to be installed.

If the distributor does not have one, then installation of an autonomous valve in the system is required.

You can also use the hydraulic system calculation calculator: http://gik43.ru/articles/raschet_gidrotsilindra.html

It is necessary to clearly understand the rule of the inverse relationship between the performance of the hydraulic system and the drive power required for this. With such a calculation in this scheme, you always have to sacrifice the speed of the hydraulic cylinder in favor of lower engine power. But this is not always suitable. The industry requires a combination of high cycle speed and low power consumption. In this case, a unique type of load will help: a large idle stroke of the hydraulic cylinder and a short loaded mode. Here you need to divide the flows to the hydraulic cylinder according to performance depending on the operating mode.

The diagrams below solve a similar problem. 2 pumps with different volumes from one drive or a double pump with different volume sections are used. For example, pumps NSh32 and NSh10 are presented.

To reduce noise, you can install a muffler from a moped.

You can also remove the engine speed lever and install a pressure control device.

Example of a foot splitter

Now let’s look at an example when you don’t want to pay for electricity and for gasoline or other fuel, but you want some simple hydraulic splitter. How to make everything work from human power? It's actually simple.

You can see how this works in life in the video:

Materials and tools for assembly:

  • hydraulic jack;
  • profile pipe 40x50;
  • corners;
  • steel plates 6-8 mm thick;
  • rubber band;
  • a piece of metal at least 30 mm thick (to create a wedge that will split the wood);
  • M12 bolts;
  • welding, grinder, measuring tool, drill, etc.

Manufacturing process

Step 1. Making the frame.

The base is a profile pipe with a diameter of 40x50 mm. But she can’t cope alone and may bend. There is option 2. Either we take a thicker pipe, or we strengthen the existing one. Everything is clear with the first option, but how to do the second can be seen in the photo. A simple farm is being made.

We weld the guide to the platform. Watch the quality of the seams, they must be High Quality and reliable. We weld a scarf onto the reverse side.

To make a slider you need to use a corner. We cut into the required lengths and weld. The main task is to make it slide freely along the guide, but make sure that there are no strong backlashes. To strengthen the place where the hydraulic jack rod will subsequently rest, the bevel of the plate is welded.

Step 2. Making the base for the jack.

A hydraulic jack with a lifting power of 10 tons is required. But you can choose a lower power, for example, 6 tons also copes quite well. But it is necessary to prepare a good support. To do this, take strips of metal 6–8 mm thick and weld them under the heel of the jack.

Step 3. Handle.

As planned, the jack is powered by the foot, so the handle has to be modernized. To do this, we simply weld the parts to obtain the necessary bend that is comfortable for the leg. You can also weld a special pedal to prevent your foot from slipping. To return the handle to its original position, you can use a spring. But the author took a more complicated route and welded the roller and tied a tourniquet to the handle.

Step 4. Knife.

The cutting part is made of steel of at least 3 mm. We sharpen it in the form of a wedge. For fastening to the guide we use M12 screws. Screws require periodic inspection.

Photo of a wood chopping knife

At this point, the foot press for chopping wood is ready. Its main advantage is that it does not require many resources, all suitable material can be found in the garage. Source http://www.sense-life.com/hands/drovokol.php

Photos of hydraulic wood splitters

How to make a hydrosplitting knife

As described above, to make a knife for a wood splitter with your own hands, you need to take at least 3 mm of metal. Also suitable I-beam. Some craftsmen even make it from metal with a thickness of 12 to 20 mm. The main thing is to sharpen it well.

Video about what an 8-piece splitter looks like.

Approximate costs for self-production

It is worth noting that all costs are individual, since everyone has different designs and the availability of initial material. Therefore, we provide an approximate estimate of how much it will cost to make a cleaver. All figures are presented in Russian rubles.

  1. Engine Lifan 13 l. With. - 14,300;
  2. Hydraulic cylinder 100/40/61 - 10 420;
  3. Hydraulic distributor - 3 510;
  4. NSh32 - 1,610;
  5. NSh drive from MAZ - 3,960;
  6. Hubs with wheels from VAZ - 1,500;
  7. Pulley for engine - 1,000;
  8. V-belts - 830;
  9. Hydraulic oil 40 l. - 2 600;
  10. RVD + couplings - 2,500;
  11. Flanges for NSh - 440;
  12. Metal for knives - 1,000;
  13. Metal for everything else - 4,000;
  14. Bolts, nuts, washers, etc. - 640;
  15. Engine oil - 380;
  16. Rubber hose + clamps -300;
  17. Paint - 630;
  18. Electrodes f4mm - 2 kg and f3mm - 5 kg - 1,050;
  19. Discs for grinders 230-12 pcs. 230- 1 stripper 125- 1 stripper + 3 regular - 700;
  20. Paint brushes - 100.

Total: 51,470 rub.

To this we must also add unforeseen expenses (the drill is broken or the part is defective and you have to buy a new one). Plus your time, effort, nerves.

As a result, the price is not small, so maybe it’s worth thinking about and is it easier to buy a ready-made hydrosplitter with a guarantee?

When assembling or designing, someone may find the data from the Logsplit 100 machine data sheet useful.

Wood splitter for tractor

Basically it is more suitable for business. Since the productivity of such a system is significantly higher than domestic needs.

There are two types.

  1. Suspended from the tractor
  2. Stationary, connected to the hydraulic system.

For those who understand, the diagrams above helped to make such a device yourself.

It is worth considering that the tractor power required is from 20 hp. With.

And here’s how a wood splitter made on the basis of MTZ-82 works.

Here's another option: vertical hydraulic wood splitter Dragon:

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

IN modern world quite a few energy sources:

  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, but a powerful flow of thermal radiation reaches all surrounding objects.
  4. Firewood was the first available source of heat. They remain relevant today.

Used in many homes 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 chopping 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 performed 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 cuttings will 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, shaft rotation is transmitted to 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, from which torque is transmitted 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 thrust plate is cut on the conical surface tapered thread. When rotating inside the body being destroyed, the conical screw part cuts deeper, pulling the log towards the support.
  4. Wedge is assistive device, which helps to destroy the attracted 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 from the very simple 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 cutting discs and cleaning flap wheels.
  • Welding machine, modern inverter-type household devices for welding steel structures relatively small in mass. The process runs on DC, so the welds are neat, 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. Suspension spring passenger car, for example, from VAZ.

Before starting work, a preliminary design is drawn. Some craftsmen have mastered the programs engineering design, with the help of which they can work out the details of the 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. It is sawed through square hole. 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 internal diameter springs. 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 should 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 in 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.

For work you will need to install a piece of log big size. 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 complete splitting occurs, the tip hits the wooden support and doesn't get 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 manufacturing 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. Carrying out step by step actions When you make your own spring device, it is easy to make your own convenient impact wood splitter.

Plenty for suburban buildings operate on wood. In the 19th century, cutting firewood was done by hand, but with the creation of mechanical wood splitters, human labor became noticeably easier. The very first devices were steam-powered and could not be built at home. Nowadays, you can assemble a wood splitter with your own hands. Drawings, photos, instructions will help you do this without any problems.

This device allows you to cope even with large logs and logs.

Read in the article

How to choose a wood splitter: product features

If your farm needs a wood splitter, then it is important to decide whether to buy a finished product or assemble it yourself. When implementing the latter option, certain skills will be required. For example, you can study the catalog of components for screw and cone splitters any manufacturer and assemble a reliable and productive unit yourself.


Other equipment options work on the same principle: a motor moves special knives onto the log, and when pressure is applied to them, the log splits. To create quality product It’s worth studying information on how to make a wood splitter with your own hands and what type of device is best to choose.

There are a lot of installations working on this principle and they differ from each other according to certain characteristics:

  • according to the method of laying logs. There are vertical and horizontal mechanisms. Vertical type devices are considered more powerful and can work with thick logs, but for a crooked log you should choose a horizontal device;
  • the maximum possible values ​​of stacked firewood. Depending on this factor, equipment is divided into industrial and household;
  • drive types. For household use It is enough to use an electric unit with a power of about 2.5 kW.

In addition, the mass of household tools matters. You can design such a product yourself.

Classification of wood splitters

To understand the drawings, photos and instructions of something you created yourself, you should know what types of these devices there are.

Classification of wood splitters is made taking into account the type of drive:

  • a simple option using gasoline or diesel fuel, which is characterized by autonomy and high efficiency;
  • for small volumes, mechanical type devices are recommended;
  • stationary options include models that operate on electricity.

By design features and the splitting principle, the wood splitter comes in the following types:

  • electric wood splitter with a vertical log arrangement;

  • rack type device;

  • screw has great power;

  • hydraulic.

For everyday use, you should choose hydraulic and screw versions of the wood splitter with your own hands. The video demonstrates how to make such products yourself.

Characteristics of models with a cone-shaped cleaver

In electric and diesel devices, a cone-shaped cleaver is used, which splits the trunk using mechanical pressure and due to the movement of the tip of the cleaver. This requires little effort and minimal fuel consumption.


The device consists of the following parts:

  • a motor with a power of 1.5 kW, a number of revolutions of about 400 and a voltage of no more than 380;
  • the frame is a tabletop surface where firewood is stored;
  • The gearbox is used to control speed.

If you decide to make such a wood splitter with your own hands, then drawings, photos, and instructions for it will be easy to find on the interior pages, and all the components can be found at an affordable price. Similar devices are used for small, and.

Features of a hydraulic log splitter

Using a hydraulic model, you can process a significant volume of raw materials in the shortest possible time. The operation of the device is carried out by a motor and hydraulic equipment.

When assembling such a model, it is worth considering some features:

  • arrangement of logs vertically or horizontally;
  • permissible dimensions;
  • cylinder dimensions and motor features, which affect the power of splitting raw materials;
  • motor power.

It is more difficult to build such a unit than a screw product. This device has higher performance; it can be used not only for domestic purposes, but also for commercial ones.

Nuances of the rack and pinion option

IN rack and pinion device The cleaver is fixed to a rack, which moves using a gear drive. The log is installed between the thrust device and the cleaver. The log is split by pressing on a special handle of the equipment. After this, the gears mesh tightly, and the rack with the cleaver moves forward to the log.


The reverse movement moves the cleaver to its original position, and the split log is removed. Such a device operates from an electric motor and does not require complex maintenance.

For a rack and pinion unit, the following parameters are considered important:

  • possible length of the canvas;
  • a type of cleaver;
  • force that is applied to the workpiece.

A comment

Tool selection specialist at VseInstrumenty.ru

Ask a Question

“A rack-and-pinion wood splitter can be purchased as a factory-installed unit. Cone or screw models are not offered assembled. You can separately find a steel cone, and assemble the remaining parts from improvised means.

"

Step-by-step instructions: assembly features

At home, you can assemble any wood splitter with your own hands: drawings, photos, instructions will help you do it correctly. Each model requires a separate approach.

How to assemble a rack wood splitter with your own hands: visual drawings, instructions and photos

From the description it is clear that the rack structure can be mounted with your own hands. To do this, you should adhere to certain recommendations and sequence of work:

Image Stages of work

Selecting a drawing.

Preparation of necessary materials.

Assembly of the frame. An important element is a supporting frame, it is made of a channel, I-beam or profile pipe.

Installation of structural parts. The pusher mechanism is being installed. You can install additional parts:, protective coupling.

A four-cut cleaver should be chosen.

It is better to equip the rack unit with a horizontal laying device, which is made in the form of a gutter.

Features of installing a hydraulic log splitter with your own hands: simple instructions, drawings and photos

Assembly of the hydraulic model is difficult due to the mechanism. You will need to find an oil tank, a special cylinder, a fluid flow control unit, etc.


First of all, the frame is made. It is better to mount it on wheels or a chassis to move the device to the desired location. The main hydraulic part is attached to the frame. Instead of a knife, a conical wedge is fitted, which is moved towards the log using a central screw.


Cleavers with motors are characterized by greater productivity. Their installation requires a hydraulic cylinder, an oil tank, a control unit and an electric motor. Such a device works faster than a mechanism with a jack. This requires less effort.

Using the control button, a command is transmitted to the distribution device to supply liquid into the cylinder cavity. As a result of this, the persistent heel moves in the desired direction.


This design does not have a high speed of operation, but is distinguished by a certain convenience.

Helpful information! Most often, the hydraulic installation is taken from the tractor. A gasoline-powered engine is also used.

How to build a model of a screw wood splitter with your own hands: drawings

The easiest way is to assemble the screw unit yourself. To do this, you need to buy a screw cone for a wood splitter. You will also need a powerful, strong frame, a reduction gearbox and a shaft.


First of all, the motor and gearbox are mounted to the frame. A cone is attached to the shaft, and the mechanism itself is connected to the reduction gearbox using a motor. Important points to consider during assembly:

  • the nozzle cannot be directly mounted to the motor;
  • if you do not have the skills of an electrician, then electrical mechanisms should be made by a highly qualified specialist;
  • Belt and chain drives are protected by a special casing;
  • The minimum rotation speed of the cleaver is 250-300 rpm.

This type of wood splitter works using a rotating metal cone that splits logs using a special thread. When assembling a screw model with a cone-shaped splitter, it is necessary to select the correct cone depending on the logs used. The base for the device has the form of a working platform with a fixed splitting shaft. A keel is welded to the table to prevent particles from falling under the rotating mechanism. The power supports are mounted, and the splitter is installed in the working position. Then the motor is connected.


A popular model of a wood splitter with an engine from. Three types of motors can be used: asynchronous, commutator or with electronically controlled. The most common option is asynchronous motors. Older models have a separate winding for starting.

Chopping wood is a useful activity for any physically strong, healthy man. But sometimes there are large volumes of firewood that need to be prepared in a short time; in this case, a special tool is used. A wood splitter is a device that is difficult to do without when you have to chop massive pieces of wood.

Features of homemade models

A wood splitter is especially necessary in private households, where it is necessary to heat the house using firewood. You can make such a tool with your own hands; it is not difficult and will save a significant amount of money. Working with solid wood is quite risky and can cause injury, so you should use a good tool and follow the necessary safety regulations.

Mechanical units that help split solid wood and heavy logs tend to accumulate energy, they are economical, and they are easy to operate. There is no need for muscular strength to operate such devices. The units can cope with any logs and wooden ingots. They operate in push mode and can handle logs up to 35 cm long, no physical effort is required.

Pressure-action devices are driven by an internal combustion engine and can also be connected to an electric motor. They are not cheap, but their use almost completely eliminates the muscular effort that must be expended. Using this device, you can heat a house up to 350 square meters, while frosts can be Siberian, down to -35 degrees Celsius.

This unit is safe; the disadvantages include a rather complicated design and high energy consumption.

The return stroke of the pusher is usually no more than 7 centimeters per second. In a few hours, one person can prepare more than half a ton of firewood. You cannot work with wet wood; it is recommended in the warm season wooden blanks put in a woodpile under a canopy. In about three months, the tree will “fit” to the required condition. Raw wood does not provide enough heat, the thermal conductivity is much lower (by 25%), the cleaver often gets stuck in it, and getting it out of there can sometimes be extremely difficult. A homemade wood splitter can be made no worse than a factory one, that is, it will have horizontal and vertical feeding of the workpiece.

For guidance, it’s worth saying what the approximate monetary savings could be:

  • a high-quality unit that runs on diesel fuel and is designed for splitting ingots 25 cm in diameter costs from 20 thousand rubles;
  • a machine that can “deal” with workpieces up to 35 cm, splitting them into 4-5 fragments, costs about 30 thousand rubles.

Specifications

The most simple design A wood splitter is a splitting ax. To work with it, you need some practical experience. For experienced woodcutters, a splitting ax can be the main tool when processing massive wooden pieces; the ax size of this tool is up to one meter. In recent years, the cleaver has been made from innovative materials, which allows it to be used more efficiently in the labor process.

Light ax handle durable material fiberglass allows you to work with this tool more efficiently. Over the two thousand years that the cleaver ax has existed, it has been continuously improved. The ax handle made of modern fiberglass completely eliminates vibration and painful feedback to the palm.

To harvest firewood in large quantities, push-type wood splitters are usually used. They have a rack or pinion pusher. Such a device pushes a massive wooden blank onto a cleaver, which, in turn, splits it into several small parts. The feed speed of the workpiece is about 5 centimeters per second. Vertical wood splitters have a greater safety margin and are more compact. The disadvantage of this device is that there is a risk of ejection of the workpiece, which contains the following “difficulties”:

  • many layers;
  • a lot of knots;
  • There are various irregular cuts.

A horizontal wood splitter is safer. The worker does not risk getting hit by flying chips, because their speed can sometimes be very high. The vertical unit has a circular scattering of fragments, therefore, from a safety point of view, there are questions about this unit. Hydraulic wood splitter:

  • productive;
  • spends minimal energy;
  • safe to operate

Among the disadvantages, it should be noted that working with such a device requires some experience. And also under heavy loads, liquid may leak out of the device. The unit is easy to maintain; spare parts for it can always be found on the market.

The hydraulic log splitter does not have a return spring, and also has a rather long switching time - about 0.55 seconds. The period of time is quite significant, because the workpiece can split and fall into many fragments. Such wood splitters have a common drawback: their engine operates through a fluid coupling and sometimes cannot cope with the load. The engine usually operates in standard mode, consuming little fuel. A gear is attached to the flywheel (it is usually hydraulic, there is also a fractional one). This lever is a coupling with a pusher, which ensures that the lump is fed to the splitting knife.

There is enough energy to split almost any piece of wood.

Tools and materials

To create a screw cleaver you will need:

  • power plant from 1.5 kW;
  • shaft with mounted bearing;
  • drive belt;
  • threaded cone;
  • metal 6 mm thick;
  • corners 6, pipes 45 mm.

Tools you will need:

  • jigsaw;
  • welding machine;
  • turbine;
  • screwdriver;
  • screwdriver;
  • scotch;
  • hammer;
  • wire cutters;
  • pliers;
  • tape measure and triangle ruler.

How to do it?

Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare drawings and assembly instructions. A simple wood splitter with an electric motor can be assembled at home. Indicative in this regard is a hydraulic wood splitter, which can be made in the garage. The hydraulic system can be supplied from a mini-excavator or some other equipment. Productivity will be determined by the splitting force:

  • 20 cm half – 2 tf;
  • straight layer – 2.7 tf;
  • 25 cm – 2.4 tf;
  • 30 cm into 4 parts – 4 tf;
  • 30 cm into 8 parts – 5 tf;
  • 40 cm into 8 parts – 6 tf.

The power of the hydraulic pump is determined by the flow rate, which on average is 4.5 cm. Next, the efficiency is calculated and the engine is selected; its reserve should be 15% greater.

And the fittings are also selected with a reserve;

  • hose;
  • valve;
  • flaps.

An important working element is the cleaver itself. It is made of durable metal (car spring or rail, for example). The workpiece is usually met by a vertical knife, which is sharpened on a straight line (symmetrical wedge). The horizontal knife stands a little further (18 cm), it is spent on the upper oblique wedge.

Vertical knife for the best safe work is applied from below, the height is about 35 mm, while the instrument protrudes by 25 mm. This design will allow you to work with complex wooden elements, provided that they are placed evenly sideways at the bottom. The sharpening angles are as follows:

  • vertical knife is designed for soft wood – 19 degrees (three knife thicknesses);
  • for hard wood (including birch) - 15 degrees (3.8 knife thickness);
  • horizontal knives – 16 degrees;
  • the prick has an inclination angle of no more than 26 degrees (minimum 20 degrees), the thickness of the knife is 2.6;

A rack-and-pinion wood splitter is simpler and cheaper than a hydraulic unit (costs no more than 20 thousand rubles). Making it yourself is not very difficult. The pusher is fed using a gear rack, the transmission to the shaft works in such a way that the movement occurs no more than 4.5 cm per second. To make it, you need elements - just disassemble the old jack. The rack-and-pinion wood splitter does not have hydraulic components, and its maintenance takes a minimum of time.

Such a unit, from a safety point of view, is more preferable. The operating scheme is as follows: it operates when the lever is lowered, then the return spring element will lift the rack and tilt it back. The disadvantage of such a unit is that as the feed speed decreases, the thrust increases rapidly, and then also suddenly drops to zero. If there is a cavity or some other flaw in the workpiece, the unit will be subjected to too much stress, this can happen spontaneously, which can cause deformation of the machine or even its breakdown.

The hydraulic drive always works softer; the largest thrust coefficient occurs when there is a feed rate that approaches zero. If a workpiece that is too strong gets into the feed of the hydraulic unit, it will be pushed onto the splitter non-stop, which can lead to damage. For a rack-and-pinion log splitter (based on all the above comments) you need a more powerful engine. To calculate its power, you can simply shift the forces of the splitting, which exists for the hydraulic drive: a pig with a diameter of 20 cm is 2.6 tf, the efficiency in this case will be about 0.87.

Often, too thick dried bark interferes with the movement of the workpiece. As a conclusion, you can note: rack and pinion units are appropriate when the amount of work is relatively small, the work is done using muscle power.

For small preparations of firewood, a vertical screw splitter may be quite suitable. This device has low productivity; it is not afraid of various flaws in wood blanks. An electric engine for its operation may be low-power, only 2.8 kW - from washing machine, with a pulley drive. With a low-power engine, such a unit will be able to “cope” with elements up to 42 cm in diameter and up to 65 cm in height. To create it, you will need an engine from a washing machine; the rotation speed of such a power plant may well be suitable. The disadvantage may be that by mounting the cleaver directly on the engine shaft, the engine housing may move and it will break.

In the work, the main role is played by a cone-shaped nozzle, which has a thread and rotates at a speed of 160-1550 rpm (the operating frequency is usually 300 rpm). Carving is done with the left hand due to the fact that most people are right-handed; their right hand is physically better developed.

The workpiece on a screw cleaver is fed onto it along a vertical plane. During movement, the workpiece (its movement) is corrected by hand. This formulation of the question does not have the best effect on the level of safety, so you should take into account the fact that a screw wood splitter - this device is dangerous. The employee is required to constantly ensure that right hand there was not enough material left. If the cleaver gets stuck, the process of winding the workpiece will occur. To prevent such incidents from occurring, a spacer should be installed under the cleaver.

The assembly and operation of the screw unit can be affected by the rationality of the design, as well as the location of such components:

  • wedge stop;
  • drive pulley;
  • main shaft operation.

And it is also important what shape the cleaver itself is, how it is sharpened; such parameters will certainly affect the operation of the unit itself. The wedge stop is also important; it determines the safety of the unit and affects performance and reliability. If the stop is selected incorrectly, problems will arise with the engine; operation will occur with a high voltage of the power unit. Performance will be noticeably lower. You cannot leave the cleaver hanging without a lower stop. The wedge stop is attached to the base on the right. In this case, its length can be such that the spout is 1/4-1/2 longer than the length of the thread.

The stop parameter corresponds to the diameter of the cleaver in a similar section (in this case, 4 heights of the threaded part are subtracted). The distance between the shank and the stop is about 1.8 mm, however, if the gap is 0.8 mm, it will be even better. The cleaver will “disturb” a little at first, but after a short time the grinding will occur and the product will last for quite a long time.

The vertical stop is 2/3 of the shank. For 76 mm the limits are limited to 52-62 mm. The workpiece must be pulled up manually after the cleaver has entered the tree quite deeply. If the cleaver has already entered too deeply into the material, it will be impossible to hold it with bare hands. Fit Bottom part will hit the side of the stop. In this case, damage and defects may occur.

The unit must be made in such a way that the holder and the main shaft drive are made according to the instructions, in this case nothing will happen and there will be no damage. In a screw wood splitter, the inertial impulse for rotation is transmitted through a pulley. In this case, the pulley must slip if a “plug” occurs, otherwise an accident is inevitable.

In this regard, transmission using a chain is more rational and practical; there are noticeably fewer “plugs”. The chain itself has considerable weight, so the transmission is more rigid and allows it to overcome “obstacles.” If the workpieces have too many knots, then you will need to install a drive, which is presented in the form of a powerful driven pulley.

There is a carrot screw; this unit really resembles a root vegetable. The unit is simple to design and assemble; you can work with it when preparing a small amount of firewood. This device can also cut wood, so splitting with a screw provides a sufficient amount of sawdust. On the farm, this is sometimes in demand if there is a poultry house on the territory that needs to be heated.

A sliding splitter is another option. The shoulder is taken into account as 1.6 meters. Overload can be up to 40 kg. If the wood splitter is stationary, then in this case it can work as an inertial lever, that is, it can be lifted by the handle and then lowered with force onto the workpiece. If the cleaver is dynamic, then it can be easily moved along the lever, in which case it can be pressed. At the same time, the shoulder lengthens significantly. The lever wood splitter has a number of features:

  • It is best to use the “Arrow” cleaver; it is easy to buy;
  • the lever is supported by a spring in a horizontal position;
  • the spring must be well secured so that it does not fly off;
  • often the spring is passed into a moving pendulum guide.

If the mechanical unit is not attached to the base, then it is made with a diameter that is not inferior in size to the lever arm (a size taken that is 2 times larger than the size of the wooden workpiece). It makes no sense to create “mechanics” with a fixed cleaver that slides along a guide. Even if you hit the cleaver with all your might with a sledgehammer, it will often jam.

A cone-shaped wood splitter is also often used, which in private households (when relatively little firewood is needed) can cope with fairly heavy ingots (up to 55 cm in diameter). The cone is made 82-148 mm in size, the angle of inclination is about 16 degrees if the tree has small layers, and 19 degrees if the layers are straight. At a third of the height of the cone, the opening angle changes to 26-32 degrees. It is best to use a rack jack. A rack and pinion jack is preferable because it is very simple and reliable and is not afraid of heavy loads. With hydraulic device more work, and it is more vulnerable under excessive loads.

One more detail is important. The control rod of the conical splitter is usually made functional, using reinforcement or a rod of steel grade St47, with a diameter of at least 22 mm. The thread is made in the shape of a trapezoid (often sewer valves are suitable, where the steering wheel is removed and replaced with a lever).

You can also make a wood splitter in the form of a saber with your own hands; such a device is also called a saber. The lever arm here is at least 0.9 meters, made of soft wood (pine, birch). This type of wood splitter can only be used with soft trees. Also, at dachas, they install wood splitters for the winter using a lever operating principle, which can split workpieces up to 35 cm in diameter. The productivity of such a unit is not high, but such a device is quite enough to chop firewood for dinner. Using the pedal, the sliding stop is raised, then it is released and the pedal is pressed, so the workpiece is delaminated.

You can even make a wood splitter from a wheel; we will look at the technology below.

From the jack

A wood splitter can be made from a jack, which is manually driven using physical force.

The following materials will be required:

  • hydraulic jack;
  • steel sheet 5 mm;
  • channel or angle No. 8;
  • primer;
  • springs;
  • bolts and nuts.

List of tools:

  • Bulgarian;
  • welding machine;
  • drill;
  • triangle ruler;
  • marker.

It is important to secure the vertical fastenings correctly; the lion's share of the load will fall on them. For these purposes, you will need a corner No. 8 or an I-beam. Then a wedge is made that cuts the wooden blanks. This element is made of steel or angle. It is also recommended to sharpen the wedge well, then the work will be more productive. The jack will be positioned against the lower stand, which must be slightly raised above the base. To do this, you need to weld several flat pieces of sheet steel. The jack must be well secured so that it does not jump out during operation. The element is additionally secured with clamps and nuts.

Springs will also be needed to return the element to its original state. You should also make a reliable frame, which is best welded from steel. In order for the support base to be firmly attached to the jack, it is additionally welded to it. round pipe. And you will also need to weld the mountings for the springs. The device is placed mainly in a corner; it can be additionally “grabbed” with bolts to two walls.

From a wheel rim

The wood splitter can be made from a tractor wheel disc or truck. Concrete can be poured into the cavity of such an element to increase the mass. A vertical mount, similar to a guillotine, is welded to the central block. The disk rotates, and the “guillotine” falls and hits the die, which is attached in the center. Working on such a unit is not easy; practical experience is required.

Security measures

Safety precautions should be observed during operation. The energy that is spent on splitting wood elements is quite significant. The rate of scattering of chips can be high. Before starting the drive, all fixing elements should be checked:

  • bolted connections;
  • joints;
  • pulley fastening;
  • cable;
  • engine mount;
  • knives must be in good condition, without chips or signs of corrosion.

Clothing with long sleeves should be loose and made of thick fabric, and should also include:

  • good work boots;
  • gloves;
  • glasses;
  • headphones.

The equipment must be located on a flat, stable surface that is not afraid of powerful vibration. A reinforced concrete slab is an ideal basis for basing such a unit. The machine can only process parts that correspond to the format of the equipment. And a few more tips:

  • when the machine is operating closer than three meters, it is not recommended to approach it;
  • the work area should always be fenced off with warning tape made of paper or PVC material;
  • equipment should only be operated under the supervision of an employee;
  • During operation, you should carefully monitor so that no foreign objects get into the unit;
  • Preventative inspections and test runs should be carried out regularly;
  • All equipment repair work is carried out with the engine disconnected from the network.

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.

The mechanisms can work due to different types 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; V 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 optimal height work 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 on Idling to make sure that all elements work smoothly 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 gas key(the installation is disassembled beforehand). 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 in this case The chock moves not by human power, 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 very simple version the sequence of actions will be like this:

  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. In the end, all the process is underway in fully automatic mode.

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 factory model. Products typically offer greater power, durability, and performance.

Let's consider the features of operation and technical specifications devices 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 allows you to control the oil level in the system (1), and the screw that provides air supply 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 minimum diameter 20 mm, minimum length 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 wood splitter is to change the oil in a timely manner. 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

type of problem probable reasons remedial measures
wood does not split incorrect position of the chock The block should be placed flat on the work surface
the chock exceeds the permissible dimensions you need to take a log of a different size or reduce the block
the cleaver's blade is worn out sharpen the blade
the pushing element does not move evenly, but with jerks, extraneous noises are heard insufficient amount of hydraulic oil check the level and add until the oil reaches the line between the grooves of the control bolt
Air has accumulated in the hydraulics bleed air from the system
the engine runs normally, but the cleaver does not move valve does not open check. how does the valve work
levers are deformed give them the correct shape or replace them with new ones

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