County Line Wood Splitter UPGRADES!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- Hello everyone I am going to do some upgrades on my county line 25 ton wood splitter to make it more efficient. We are not going to change any pumps or motors but make the workspace better to accomodate larger wood and multi pieces at once! Enjoy!
Liked your mods,theyre definitely worthwhile
Thing cranks now! Cut down on how many cycles to make a cord its awesome! Check the more recent videos!
Looks awesome man
It does!
I have a very similar splitter Jay. Mine is a Huskee 22 ton that I bought at a local Tractor Supply store.
I bought the splitter back in 2009.
We had a massive white oak go down in a wind storm. It was just under 40 inches in diameter at the butt end of the log cut from the stump.
Even three guys struggled with those massive blocks.
I took it to a class mate of mine who owns and runs a welding / fabrication shop. He designed a boom that I now use with a hand crank winch that a cable runs out to a set of logging tongs that I got from Northern Tool.
I can now work alone and crank those massive blocks into the foot of the splitter in the upright position.
It won’t split the blocks completely in two so I just kind of keep hitching it around until it just won’t hold together, then it is in enough smaller pieces that I can handle it with ease.
That made a nice little splitter into a really awesome and versatile splitter.
The cycle time is slow compared to the more commercial models. I have a little over $1000 in mine total and it will do what machines costing 6-10 times as much can do. Just not as fast.
But it is fast enough for me working alone.
I like your improvements Jay.
Good luck with it. I am sure it will serve you well .
Hey Gary! That sounds awesome. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel with this haha if I can cut down on “re splits” then that itself saves time! I love the idea of the boom
And grapple that’s really neat. I’ve seen guys do that off the back of their trucks for roadside logging hahah thanks for sharing the story! Send me a photo of it I’d love to share! Homesteadjay35@gmail.com
When I was in high school I worked summers with my Dad who was the maintenance man for all the grain elevators (those big concrete tank ones) in eastern South Dakota. We would spend many hours down in the boot re-lining them with steel as running grain can wear them out over time. When I started, my welds weren't any better than yours (probably a lot worse). By the end of the first summer the welds looked like someone had applied them with a caulk gun. Smooth, continuous, and even. My Dad always used to say, "You're good at what you practice." Keep at it, you'll get better slowly then all at once.
Appreciate the story. Thanks for the kind words.
Good start Jay, 2 take always: weld like a turtle at times, slow and steady. Get the puddle the size you want, even on both pieces of the metal you are welding, and keep that size as you progress. Sound is the key: sizzling bacon is the sound you want to hear. That sound will tell you you have the right heat and a good speed going. Just move the puddle and keep it the same size.
Gas pressure should be between 25 and 30 as well. I got back into welding after 20 years, been back at it full time for 6 months now. Welding takes time, patience, and a willingness to learn. We all crawled before we can walk. Lots of good people on hear to help give you pointers and help with sound and good advice.
Yes indeed. I think slowing down is key. I’m in no rush but what I think is slow isn’t slow enough haha
we got a heatmaster C150 boiler about 10 weeks ago . got my first chainsaw last friday (stihl 400C) . took down two trees out front with the 400c the next day . and today ..... we paid for a new county line 25 ton kohler engine at TS and we'll pick it up saturday . we have over 100 acers on the family farm so the we should be well stocked for next winter . than ks for sharing your experiences Jay . you are VERY much respected on boiler forums . take care , jeff
Thanks Jeff! I wish you good luck on your adventure! Heating with wood is a an amazing thing and you will enjoy it!
If it works it works. Run it. To make wood it doesn’t need to look pretty. Good upgrade. It’s fun making things yourself. And then it’s even better when you use it and it works.
Yes hopefully it works hahaha it’s no processor but if I can cut down on “re splits” that’s time saved. And or if I can split two rounds with 1 pass then that’s also a win!
My son is a professional welder. That said, he calls my welds "Gorilla Welds" They are big ugly but strong. Like you said "Griner and Paint" fixes it all. Keep on keeping on and do what you need done and make it what you need!
Haha gorilla welds is the new term I’m gonna use hahah that’s me!
I can’t wait for someone to make a video beefing up the drivetrain and someone adding a auto lift or crane! Good video!
I'm not mechanical at all so I can't ever be critical of your work. Looks great to me and you look like you are having a blast! Great job.
Thanks 👍
The last thing you need is pointers from keyboard commandos. It takes a man of confidence to attempt something out of their wheelhouse for an unknown count of potential critics. I've been welding for 25+ years (not professionally). I watch welding tips and tricks videos weekly and learn something almost every vid. Point being watch some of your peers, and you'll have it mastered in no time. To everyone else, if he's willing to try that and post it to a platform as large as youtube, you can try it in the privacy of your own project. 🍻
Hahah thanks for tips. I don’t mind sharing. I’m not about as transparent as the noon day sun. I want to improve my splitter and gonna show the struggle to get there lol
If I was going to weld on that kind of project I would go with a ac/dc stick welder and use 1/8” 7018 rods at 120ish amps. That MiG welder is a little on the small side to weld thicker metal. The cleaner the metal the easier to weld it is and slow and steady to let the heat sink into the part you are welding as that project is a heat sink and once it heats up it will weld easier
Take the corner where that plate is going to meet the top of the knife now, and babble them off on a 45° angle and give yourself a nice V. Fill with wild, it would look and work a lot better for you. And you'll have to turn up the heat. When you do that piece
Throw a couple of beads on the bottom plate. So the rounds have something to grip and not fly off and nail you.
I was a qa/qc weld inspector... let's just say that would be a total redo. Lol.
You was just moving to fast for the setting. Slow down and keep the pace when it sounds like bacon sizzling.. wouldn't hurt to bump up the heat.
The faster you move the more heat and wire speed you need.
Not bad Jay. Good work trying and putting it out there. The welder you have is a good machine. If it was me, I would lower the gas pressure down to 15lbs and make sure the wind is calm. Welding outside can blow your gas very quickly. Also, I'm put your amperage up a bit and lower your wire speed, slightly. Then slow down your feed rate. You want to really watch your puddle and make sure you are keeping a good amount of liquid. That usually means going slower than you were. I'm definitely no welder either, just what I would try differently.
On that wedge, I would put big chamfers on it, then fill with weld. You want as much penetration as possible for the weld to tie in the two metals. I did a video awhile back repairing my splitter when it broke. I had to weld the wedge back on and you can see how I prepped it. I stick welded it, but you will still get the idea of the prep work you want to do. My welds have held great for 3 years or so. Check it out: th-cam.com/video/ngwxQ7hw6nA/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the tips brother. Much appreciated. I’ll check it out.
Great video. Ever have the black coating on the tip of the hydraulic cylinder shaft wear off?
Didnt notice! Ill have to look!
Hey Jay , looks good to me !!
Enjoy watching 👍thanks from in the woods with the capone’s
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hey Jay! Great ideas for the spliter upgrades, should make splitting easier. As for the welding its all about practice
Indeed it is lol. Steep learning curve
As long as it holds , who gives a Turkey , what it looks like ,
Hey Jay some advice on the welds! Slow down how fast you're moving across the plate when you're welding, that's what's causing those little gaps/holes at the top or bottom of your welds. Alternatively, you can turn up your feed speed instead of moving faster. Also, try moving in a banana shape when running your bead instead of just up and down as I find this makes a cleaner bead. Just make sure you're putting the wire on the leading edge of the banana so that the bead does not get too tall, Hope this helps!
Thank you indeed. This does help!
I could be wrong but it sounds like you just needed a little more heat
Yes I’ve been playing around with settings. It’s been a minute since I welded
If it works and holds that all you need
Hahah I’m no cosmetic person lol all about functionality
Grinder and paint, never heard that. 👍
It’s my new motto lol
I'm not a welder, but I play one on TH-cam.
Hahaha me too!
There are 3 ways to become a better welder practice, practice and more practice
Thats the plan!
MAN...why not make your side tables to be bolted on N'stead of fully welded? This way you can try it and make changes if needed. Also, do a practice weld or two before going in for the real thing... I'm looking for a splitter probably the wrong time of year and I like seeing what people do to them aka MODs.
Ill tell ya this county line with the mods I did is the ticket for the money! I cut down on how many times the ram cycles now. Check out a more update splitting video to see it chug along
Reinventing the wedge 😜
Hahaha yes to a degree lol
Had a girlfriend that every time she cooked a meal would tell every thing that was wrong with it finally had to ask her to stop and let the people eating be the judge
Hahaha beautiful
Just for future reference. You were running the weld too cold & the wire too fast & And you should push the weld not pull it.
Always learning. Thanks for the tips!
I’m looking for the “that won’t pass x-ray” comments
Oh 100% fail
Guaranteed porosity 🤣
Bottom plate too thin
You're the worse welder on the internet 🤣.
Not really, but as you said, you could use a little practice.
Last summer when I was building a trailer I was struggling terribly with a buddies stick welder, that being said, the welds were very strong. I think you should have done some practice welds and let us give you some tips prior to starting ;). I think with that little welder you will need to crank the heat on that thick of metal, then adjust the feed from there. That being said, I don't think you will get enough penetration for the knife/wedge extension.
I used to be the assistant manager at a muffler and brake shop, I've done my fair share of welding nuts onto broken/rusted out studs 😣. Funny thing, if you turn them a little tighter by hand before backing them out, many times they will break loose. Another, if you turn them in until they break, they usually leave a little stub to weld the nut on; but if you turn them out many times they break flush or inside the manifold.
Have a great night.
Oh man broken studs is the worst lol glad you know the struggle! Thanks for the feedback we will keep at it and post progress
Practice makes perfect you’re doing alright, we’re jack of trades not masters 🏰🚀🚜🪵👍
Very true!