I'm making plans for a 30+ ton capacity log splitter. The immediate question is what size I-beam to use. I'm looking at 6X6 and either 15lb or 25lb. I'd appreciate input on which way I should go.
Reply:Built one for a friend, he planned it to be mounted on the three point hitch of his tractor and used the tractor hydraulics to power the cylinder. Works fine, he splits mostly small oak, birch, poplar and maple.We used a 6" I beam, not sure of the #/f but I think either would be fine.If I was to build one which would be powered by it's own motor, I'd think of using a piece of 4x6 or 6x6 tube for the frame. Cap both ends, weld in two pipe couplings for the hoses, and a larger nipple for a filler and there is your oil reservoir."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:Mines an
[email protected], doesn't even flex......Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by noriteIf I was to build one which would be powered by it's own motor, I'd think of using a piece of 4x6 or 6x6 tube for the frame. Cap both ends, weld in two pipe couplings for the hoses, and a larger nipple for a filler and there is your oil reservoir.
Reply:I'm not trying to discourage others from posting their experiences, but its kind of irrelevant if you can't see its configuration. Length between braces / gussets, method of attaching cylinder / wedge / backstop, cylinder centerline height, etc..Here's a little experiment. I used a W6 x 12 to start. 60" from cyl lug to backstop. 6" cyl puts out 35 ton @ 2500 psi Remember I beam is typically 44W, which yields at 44000 psi. Doesn't look so hot. (I forgot, this first analysis was only at 30 ton, the rest are 35 t)Next is W6 x 25. This looks much better. But the ends are still overstressed, you will need to brace / gusset the ends, web, etc to get the stresses in line. Oh yeah, last pic is of deflection. 1 3/16". That's quite a bit. Food for thought... Attached ImagesXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:BCRD:What software did you use to run the stresses on? ttyR2:Go with a wider flange beam; that gives you more working area to lay the log on.
Reply:Solidworks simulation...XMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Any chance you could run a simulation on my splitter I built last year? I used W8x40. The beam is six feet long. See attached pictures. Thank you very much in advance! The splitter seems to do fine, 13 HP Honda 22 GPS Haldex 2500 PSI pump and 3.5" cylinder. First post on this great forum, thanks for the great information!Wayne Attached Images
Reply:im no expert, but i have built a few and if you can find it RR track works the best,miller maxstar 150 hobart handler 210 w mig conversion hobart 250 arc force plasma cutter boston ind cutting torch miller performance auto darkening helmet milwalkee 14in chop saw 10,000 watt generator huge drill press and industrial band saw
Reply:Here's the analysis of the 8x40 at 6' long. Obviously, very low stress. Have fun...Jason Attached ImagesXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Originally Posted by Wayne_hAny chance you could run a simulation on my splitter I built last year? I used W8x40. The beam is six feet long. See attached pictures. Thank you very much in advance! The splitter seems to do fine, 13 HP Honda 22 GPS Haldex 2500 PSI pump and 3.5" cylinder. First post on this great forum, thanks for the great information!Wayne
Reply:Jason:Thank you for the analysis! I have not seen it flex yet, but that confirmed I was ok. There are some commercial units that use that same beam that have gusset plates welded on the ends. I thought that would be overkill.Yes, the red thing is a four way wedge. It works great. The vertical wedge is an inch or two in front of the horizontal edge, the horizontal "wings tip up slightly to it does not push the split wood down into the beam. I have a log basket for it too, Just not on in this test picture. The 4-way also has a hyraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the height of the wedge. Not sure that is worth it, but it seemed like a good idea at the time....Wayne
Reply:Originally Posted by BCRDHere's the analysis of the 8x40 at 6' long. Obviously, very low stress. Have fun...Jason
Reply:Originally Posted by Wayne_hAny chance you could run a simulation on my splitter I built last year? I used W8x40. The beam is six feet long. See attached pictures. Thank you very much in advance! The splitter seems to do fine, 13 HP Honda 22 GPS Haldex 2500 PSI pump and 3.5" cylinder. First post on this great forum, thanks for the great information!Wayne
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldordieWow! Very impressive unit. Well done. Hope you've got more stuff to show us.
Reply:Solidworks simulation.Thank You.Log Splitter, Electric Golf Trolleys, Electric Showers
Reply:Sorry for the thread resurrection but I have been asked to build a buddy a 20 ton log splitter. He already has W8x18 H beam sitting around that he wants me to use, but i'm concerned that its not strong enough and will bend?Hobart IronMan 230Hypertherm 45XP on a CNC table1.5HP 9x42 MillUNIBOR EQ35N Mag Drill
Reply
on't go smaller than W8X31 and box the ends and add some bracing...
Reply:Originally Posted by robson1015Don't go smaller than W8X31 and box the ends and add some bracing...
Reply:That's what I did with mine. I wanted a W8X40 beam but the cost was crazy. I found the W8X31 beam for $60....Boxed it at the ends and added some braces between the cylinder rod length.
Reply:Originally Posted by robson1015That's what I did with mine. I wanted a W8X40 beam but the cost was crazy. I found the W8X31 beam for $60....Boxed it at the ends and added some braces between the cylinder rod length.
Reply:I'm not an engineer so any engineers or others for that matter can enlighten me please. It was always my understanding that I beams are inclined to fail largely because the web deforms and that the better, more cost effective solution is to reinforce the web rather than boxing in the flanges. Any opinions on this?---Meltedmetal
Reply:Mine is built from mobile home frame, as was a second one I built for a friend. I used two I beams I'll estimate as 8" x 3" x 3/16 wall. [I] used two I beams side by side the outboard web cut off, and capped with a piece of 1/2" x 6" plate the slide actually rides on. Mine was a 3.5" piston (pie R2) or 9.6 square inches If I remember right, maximum pump output before relief opens was 2500 lbs. 2500 .x 9.6= 24,000 I'd call that a 12 ton splitter. I built a second splitter for a friend. It had a 4" piston. 31,400 LBS I called a 15 ton splitter. Are the manufacturers exaggerating force, or are they factoring wedge action at the wedge. I will caution that the splitter I called 15 ton spit out a piece of very green white birch weighing several pounds. It hit me in the face, tearing my nose away from my face. It was separated except a bit at the bottom. X rays showed six cracks radiating outward from the hole in my skull where my nose should be. It no longer flows air real well, but doesn't look much different than it ever did.If you're really considering building a 30 ton splitter reconsider. 15 tons of force, I believe is plenty. More force will slow cycle times, and I think be dangerous.Last edited by Willie B; 03-13-2016 at 07:56 PM.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Yes and no. The failure of a beam depends on many factors. In this case, the concentrated load (moment) at the end of the beam may cause web crippling. The way to prevent web crippling is to stiffen the web with vertical plate members between the flanges. Boxing the flange does reduce the load on the web and *may* work as well, but it is not the textbook answer.
Reply:H beams rarely fail in typical log splitter applications. I have 2 friends with tree services,and have worked with them for 20 years. I have another friend with a Machine/welding shop who services commercial, and home owner equipment. I've also built a few of my own splitters, and some for friends. Many of the failures that I've observed are attachment failures, not beam failures. Some are outright weld failures, many times its MIG welds that looked good but never quite held robably not clean enough, or hot enough. Stick welds are pretty evident when they're bad, mostly spatter, slag or both. Most failures that happen over time are repetive stress flexure fatigue failures. Over time the slide loosens up, the beam flexes, and twists. Pin holes for the clevises wear. Eventually the slop in all the parts allow the flanges to bend, which in turn allows the bolts on the slide to bend, and the clevis( usually cast iron) to crack. The tonnage , height of the pusher, and height of the wedge are probably the most important factors in deciding on what beam to use. My own splitter is only 20 ton ? Its a 4" piston with the relief set at 2400 PSI. I don't see a real need for 30 ton unless your going to use a 4 way or 6 way wedge alot. Most of the wood I split, rarely does the pump ever go above 2000 psi. Money and time is better spent on tables, and log lifts. Look at the Timberwolf , and the Oak and Iron splitters for some reverse engineering ideas. Those splitters are built to last in a commercial application. My answer to the original question go with an 8" beam heavier is better, but at least a 3/8" flange to weld to and for your guide to run on. It takes a long time for things to flex, and fail if done halfway decently. When they do fail , its usually gradually (thats why steel is a better choice than aluminum.Although aluminum tig welded would look really nice). Always check you equipment before using it. Any extra weight shouldn't be a problem as most a towed behind a truck or tractor.Originally Posted by f150skidooSorry for the thread resurrection
Reply:Could a piece of railroad rail be used? I would think that would be one tough piece of steel that's hard to bend as a converted log splitter and at a 3 to 3.5' length.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller 625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcCould a piece of railroad rail be used? I would think that would be one tough piece of steel that's hard to bend as a converted log splitter and at a 3 to 3.5' length.
Reply:Success with the rail will also depend on the weight of rail used.... stuff I've picked up locally ranges from 4" to 7" in height so obviously some major differences in strength. If I was going to try it, I wouldn't go with anything less than 7". As stated it is very heavy for it's strength, flexes a lot, and is also quite brittle so edges could be subject to failure. When I built my splitter the steel supplier talked me into going with a 4x6 heavy wall tubing. I run it on tractor hydraulics and split 2 ft diameter maple. I have seen it flex under extreme circumstances (it takes some big nasty wood to stall out a 100 hp tractor's hydraulics) but we've used it for 20 yrs without any failures.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
