Log splitter: wedgies and bearing surfaces?

[Debs.]

I`m working steadily on my first 'big' project: a 750mm. stroke x 100mm. bore hydraulic log-splitter.....and `having great fun!
`Couple of questions:

Moving wedge or moving flat plate?....I think I`ve looked at too many of other people`s designs and now can`t decide which way to go .....are there advantages to moving the wedge through the log as against pushing the log against a fixed wedge?

The sliding 'carriage': looking at the sliding 'steel on steel' interfaces on the I-beam cap, might a layer of very-dry (old/hard) oak serve as an anti-friction bearing surface? (with grease applied).....my 10ft. ground-roller has simple 'steel on oak' axle bearings and they seem to stand up reasonably well.

Suggestions and ideas `very welcome.

 

[Archie]

Is this to be a horizontal or vertical machine? If it's vertical I'd go with a moving wedge otherwise you'll have to heft big logs up to the plate unless you lower the plate all the way to the ground which would be a bit tedious. If it's horizontal I guess it doesn't really matter though, again, I'd go with the moving wedge. A moving log is likely to fall off unless it's held in place.

As far as the slider goes, I shouldn't worry about the oak (or anything else for that matter). The slider only serves the purpose of keeping the blade from rotating and the shaft from bending. It doesn't need to have a particularly close fit so steel on steel with plenty of grease will be fine. That, at least, is how ours works!

 

[Justme]

For upright moving wedge for flat moving plate with multi wedge. Then with the flat one the logs move & can fall into the sacks, wheel barrow etc as they have been done in one pass. The upright one is for taking multi passes.

 

[Sam]

I have made a moving wedge with a secondary split ( two pieces of angle welded to the side of the wedge.Bore and tap holes on the slide so you can apply grease to the inside instead of rubbing onto the H beam.Suppose it is matter of preferance but if splitting on a large basis the plate would be more advantagous in getting the logs you have split out of the way.
Also with the moving wedge if you weld a couple of doglegs to either side of the H beam either side of the ram when the log gets stuck you can draw the ram back to the doglegs and it will free the log off the blade.This splitter can be used either on the horizontal or vertical by removing a pin and pivoting the H beam.

 

[Debs.]

Thanks for the replies chaps!

I originally planned it to be a vertical machine; mounted on the 3-point linkage on the tractor.....but, it struck me that the tractor would always have to be parked level (not often possible here in the hilly-bit) for stability when splitting.
So, it`s going to be a towable vert. and horiz. machine (with a pivoting chassis and ex-Landy wheels) with a pintle-ring hitch, which will enable me to haul a 'train' on log-hunts: tractor pulling the tipping trailer pulling the splitter.

Looks like I should go for the moving wedge and fit grease-nipples to ensure good lube for the wedge-carriage and forget about the 'oak' idea.

P.S Thanks for the picture Sam; very helpful and informative.

 

[Justme]

Tractors have an adjustable top link & also one of the two lift arms has an adjustable section to account for slopes is all directions. On mine I prefer a slight slope into the back of the splitter as stuff stays on better.