Electric-Powered Log Splitter

2007 - Volume #31, Issue #3, Page #27

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"I know you've run a lot of log splitters but I think mine is unique," says Paul Malloy, Mims, Fla., who built a big electric log splitter out of scavenged parts.

    It's powered by a 5 hp, 3-phase electric motor so it's quiet and produces no exhaust fumes. It's fitted with a pair of 3 1/2 in. dia., 36-in. long cylinders, so it's powerful and can split big logs up to 28 in. in diameter and 36 in. long. It's also easy on the back thanks to a boom fitted with an electric winch that swings the log onto the splitter from any direction.

    The motor hooks up to a static 3-phase converter so it can be used with single phase electricity. The motor shaft-drives a variable displacement hydraulic pump off a Jacobson riding mower. The cylinders push the log against a 1-in. thick end piece that's reinforced by a length of 3 by 6-in. channel iron. The cylinders can be activated from either side of the splitter, either by pulling on a lever or by stepping on a pedal (a shaft connecting the lever and pedal runs across the back of the trailer).

    The boom pivots on a wheel hub that's bolted to the splitter.

    The trailer frame is made from two old boat trailers, cut up and welded back together. The splitter's main beam is a length of 12-in. steel I-beam salvaged from a building that had been damaged by a tornado.

    "I bought the 5 hp electric motor at a garage sale for $20 and paid $24 for the wedge at Northern Tool," says Malloy. "The cylinders were donated by a friend. I had to buy a new hydraulic reservoir after the one off the mower started to leak. I paid $100 for the tank. I usually plug the electric motor into the dryer outlet in our house, or into a welder.

    "By using a variable displacement pump I can precisely control the cylinders' speed. I can extend the cylinders very slowly, yet still have full power as I split the log.

    "I was told the wheel motor pump wouldn't work, but I figured out a way by adding a valve that lets me dump excess fluid back to the tank whenever the cylinders are retracted."

    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Paul Malloy, 3700 Carter Rd., Mims, Fla. 32754 (ph 321 269-7319; prmalloy@earthlink.net).

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Electric-Powered Log Splitter WOODLOT EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous I know you ve run a lot of log splitters but I think mine is unique says Paul Malloy Mims Fla who built a big electric log splitter out of scavenged parts

    It s powered by a 5 hp 3-phase electric motor so it s quiet and produces no exhaust fumes It s fitted with a pair of 3 1/2 in dia 36-in long cylinders so it s powerful and can split big logs up to 28 in in diameter and 36 in long It s also easy on the back thanks to a boom fitted with an electric winch that swings the log onto the splitter from any direction

    The motor hooks up to a static 3-phase converter so it can be used with single phase electricity The motor shaft-drives a variable displacement hydraulic pump off a Jacobson riding mower The cylinders push the log against a 1-in thick end piece that s reinforced by a length of 3 by 6-in channel iron The cylinders can be activated from either side of the splitter either by pulling on a lever or by stepping on a pedal a shaft connecting the lever and pedal runs across the back of the trailer

    The boom pivots on a wheel hub that s bolted to the splitter

    The trailer frame is made from two old boat trailers cut up and welded back together The splitter s main beam is a length of 12-in steel I-beam salvaged from a building that had been damaged by a tornado

     I bought the 5 hp electric motor at a garage sale for $20 and paid $24 for the wedge at Northern Tool says Malloy The cylinders were donated by a friend I had to buy a new hydraulic reservoir after the one off the mower started to leak I paid $100 for the tank I usually plug the electric motor into the dryer outlet in our house or into a welder

     By using a variable displacement pump I can precisely control the cylinders speed I can extend the cylinders very slowly yet still have full power as I split the log

     I was told the wheel motor pump wouldn t work but I figured out a way by adding a valve that lets me dump excess fluid back to the tank whenever the cylinders are retracted

    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Paul Malloy 3700 Carter Rd Mims Fla 32754 ph 321 269-7319; prmalloy@earthlink net

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