Help with spindles, axles, hubs please!

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I am in the first stage of building a log splitter, figuring out everything i will need and making a plan. I think i am good with the rest of it but have a question on the axles and or spindles. Do i need an actual axle? I have been looking on Northern.com and found a few different options. I see these spindleshttp://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...2387_200442387do i just weld them to a square tubing? Then add bearings, hubs, wheels?I dont really plan on hauling this thing at all but need it to be mobile. I may need to drag it 5-10 miles or something. Any farther than that i would trailer it. Is there a better way? My parts list and cost is adding up fast, so is there a better option as far as cost? Thanks for your replies!Moose13
Reply:My research told me to buy one instead of building. Unless you take the time to scrounge most of the high dollar parts, or already have them, you will likely spend more money building it than you would buying new. Tractor supply has a very nice speeco unit at a grand.  I can't build it for that price.Just saying.... good luck.
Reply:I have done the research as well, and have found i can build a top of the line splitter for the price of a "consumer" model. I do have the I beam and the rest of the steel i will need already scrounged. I currently have a shopping cart open on Northern and have the following items.Honda GX 160cc engine Haldex 16gpm 2 stage pumpprince detent splitter valvehydraulic hoses3000 psi 4x24x1.75 cylinderpump coupling and brackethydraulic filter assy.2in trailer hitch$926.89 + $129.00 shipping $300 misc parts/costs $1350.00I am looking @ 2K for a similar store bought one. Fast cycle time with a Honda engine. I also live in the boonies of Wyoming so shipping is about $400 on most splitters.I know i am overlooking a few items, and in the end all said and done may only save a couple hundred bucks. But everyone i look at has something i would have done different. I am 6'4 and would like to build one to fit. I almost pulled the trigger on one online until it said working height was 16" ?? That would kill my back. Another was a good deal but had a 20 second cycle time, this setup should be closer to 12. Also an upgrade to a Honda GX is at least a couple hundred bucks. I also think it would be a cool project to do.Any ideas on tire / axle mounting?Moose13Last edited by moose13; 04-04-2011 at 06:44 PM.
Reply:Moose,I accidentally bought spindles and hubs that are not compatible. I noticed this after I cut a section of pipe and welded everything up. So I have two of the following:http://www.etrailer.com/p-R20484.html?search=1Welded to nice thick wall pipe. I got about $150 into my screwup.If you want, I could cut the spindles off with some pipe and mail or UPS it to you for $40. You would need to either cut one spindle out and weld it into the pipe, or weld the two pieces together. I am assuming that with a log splitter, you shouldn't need a long axle. Just an option,-Jim
Reply:You can use that for sure. On mine I went to a junk yard and picked up a set of K car bolt on spindles, wheels and tires for $50. I wouldn't want to tow it across Canada but if it was licensed I'd have no problem towing it on the road for 100km or so.....Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by moose13I am in the first stage of building a log splitter, figuring out everything i will need and making a plan. I think i am good with the rest of it but have a question on the axles and or spindles. Do i need an actual axle? I have been looking on Northern.com and found a few different options. I see these spindleshttp://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...2387_200442387do i just weld them to a square tubing? Then add bearings, hubs, wheels?I dont really plan on hauling this thing at all but need it to be mobile. I may need to drag it 5-10 miles or something. Any farther than that i would trailer it. Is there a better way? My parts list and cost is adding up fast, so is there a better option as far as cost? Thanks for your replies!Moose13
Reply:Hi Moose, the Honda 160 might be a bit small for a 16 gpm pump.  Are you going with a 2 stage pump?
Reply:Dodge Caravan rear axles are a good width, have a tubular center section, and you can quickly unbolt the leaf spring perches and shocks to salvage them along with the axle. Attached Images
Reply:It seems like a log splitter with wheels.. should be made so that it can be moved up over logs on the ground... Seems a waste of energy to have to pick up the logs when the unit could be made upside down and function on the logs laying on the ground...Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:All we have here is pine, most of which is standing dead beetle kill pine. So i cut it in chunks take home and split. No need for serious tonnage here, but will go at least 20 ton. Yes i am going with a 2 stage pump and every store bought splitter in this range has the 160 cc engine. I am actually copying the specs from a 22 ton splitter with 12 second cycle time. I am considering using an 11 gpm pump, before i buy anything i will double check the specs. Good suggestion about using scrap vehicle axles and hubs. I am sure i could retrofit these. My dad has a few I beams out back one is a 10" x 1/2" another is 6"x 3/8" i also saw some 8" out there somewhere. But yeah, it will be overkill if anything else. I usually have my son roll the chunks from the trailer directly to the splitter, so no need for a vertical option. GBM i have seen skid steel splitters that are designed up side down. Thanks for the ideas!
Reply:Northern has axle tubes for that size spindle, but looks like a different manufacturer... If you have the opportunity to walk in and look at the pieces I would check what "1 and 1/2 inch" means. They might have an excessively sloppy fit or a ultra tight fit. YMMV :-)http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5153_200365153
Reply:This web site will tell you everything you need to know and more about building a log splitter........http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood...ing-equipment/I'm starting a log splitter build myself, I'm in over $4000.00 allready. Going to be a 42 ton monster!!!
Reply:There is a site... Surplus center dot com. They have a calculator in their tech help section that will tell you what hp engine you need for what pump. You need to know all your specifics, gpm, pressure, rpm. It gives you numbers for an electric motor then you double it for a gas engine.
Reply:I'm sorry, your original post was about axle hubs.  defineatly rear hubs from a fwd car, bolt on type. If you have pick and pull junkyards where you are, that's the place to buy it as well. Most common wheel bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5. Should be able to get them real cheap at a junk yard. I'm sorry, I meant auto recycling facility.
Reply:Great posts, thanks for the info!
Reply:Moose, don't forget to incorporate some type of tray, or table, on the off side of the beam to catch the other half of larger rounds so that you don't have to pick them up twice. Your back will thank you.
Reply:Originally Posted by daddyMoose, don't forget to incorporate some type of tray, or table, on the off side of the beam to catch the other half of larger rounds so that you don't have to pick them up twice. Your back will thank you.
Reply:Originally Posted by NOMADMADthats a good idea. if not a tray just some pipe sections stickng out and up at an angle to keep it up. will have to do that for my grandfathers spltter.nice post, good info here
Reply:Yeah i have seen some cool ones with a log lift system. Ahh, thats why i have 2 sons! I will run the valve.