electric log spliter
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,166
Likes: 2
From: wi
electric log spliter
after goin to lowes,home depot and other store the like i found that those $300 electric splitters looked a lil wimpy,so heres an idea i did for my mom cuzz shes getin old ald and couldnt pull the rope no more on the 11-12 hp briggs.
heres the old briggs seconds from removal
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/wizzard351/IMGP0113.jpg
engines gone
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/wizzard351/IMGP0114.jpg
5hp electric installed and working great
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/wizzard351/IMGP0121.jpg
total cost of the swap was as follows 5hp ge motor free,misc bolt and nuts $3,2 fuses and wire clamps $7 the plug in is an old dryer plug and the switch/fuse box i found at the dump
most of the time i can get over to help but some times i cant so now she can split her own wood
heres the old briggs seconds from removal
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/wizzard351/IMGP0113.jpg
engines gone
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/wizzard351/IMGP0114.jpg
5hp electric installed and working great
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/wizzard351/IMGP0121.jpg
total cost of the swap was as follows 5hp ge motor free,misc bolt and nuts $3,2 fuses and wire clamps $7 the plug in is an old dryer plug and the switch/fuse box i found at the dump
most of the time i can get over to help but some times i cant so now she can split her own wood
Last edited by wizzard351; Jan 10, 2008 at 09:15 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Wisconsin
Looks like a neat job in converting from gas-powered to electric.
Am I correct in assuming you used a 5hp single-phase electric motor. Is that fed with 120 or 240 volts? You said it was free. How/where did you manage to find it? I have a twin-cylinder air compressor that requires a 5hp electric motor, but all I have available to me is single phase. I'm unable to find a single-phase 5hp that'll run on 120/240 volts.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, btw, live in the Appleton area and have been to the Symco Thresherman's annual gathering several times. I love seeing the old stuff!
Am I correct in assuming you used a 5hp single-phase electric motor. Is that fed with 120 or 240 volts? You said it was free. How/where did you manage to find it? I have a twin-cylinder air compressor that requires a 5hp electric motor, but all I have available to me is single phase. I'm unable to find a single-phase 5hp that'll run on 120/240 volts.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, btw, live in the Appleton area and have been to the Symco Thresherman's annual gathering several times. I love seeing the old stuff!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
A 5hp motor can be found in dual voltage - 120 & 240 no problem. Baldor is one brand that has several choices as does Marathon Electric.
When you're hunting for a motor, make sure it's designed for a high-load start condition - air compressors and many types of machinery require a tremendous amount of ooopmth to get started whereas other machines (and big fans) require less starting torque because there's less mechanical resistance. You'll find that the bearings and winding quality in the motors for low-torque start up to be less massive than a motor designed for a high-torque startup. This is reflected in the price of course.
BTW, I bought a 4-ton electric splitter at harbor freight mid-fall, and overall I'm fairly happy with it. The manual claims it will split up to a 12" log but I've put on much larger diameters with some success. It all depends how dry the wood is, both sap and rain. Make sure you keep the splitting wedge lubricated. I use WD40 or pam cooking spray, depending what's easier to find on the way out the door
When you're hunting for a motor, make sure it's designed for a high-load start condition - air compressors and many types of machinery require a tremendous amount of ooopmth to get started whereas other machines (and big fans) require less starting torque because there's less mechanical resistance. You'll find that the bearings and winding quality in the motors for low-torque start up to be less massive than a motor designed for a high-torque startup. This is reflected in the price of course.
BTW, I bought a 4-ton electric splitter at harbor freight mid-fall, and overall I'm fairly happy with it. The manual claims it will split up to a 12" log but I've put on much larger diameters with some success. It all depends how dry the wood is, both sap and rain. Make sure you keep the splitting wedge lubricated. I use WD40 or pam cooking spray, depending what's easier to find on the way out the door
Last edited by frederic; Jan 10, 2008 at 10:00 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,166
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From: wi
we looked at one like that,not saying its a bad deal but some of the blocks we splitt we use a tractor with a loader to set the big ones on the splitter so i doubt that those lil ones will hold up a 300-350 lb block
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Yeah, it's a toy for sure, but for the bigger ones I hold the block in place as not to bend the unit like a pretzal.
I've gotten really good at holding the power button in (it's momentary) while holding a big chunk of wood, and my almost 3 y/o loves pulling down the hydraulic lever to split wood.
He and I split almost a cord and a half across several days together, he had a total blast.
I've gotten really good at holding the power button in (it's momentary) while holding a big chunk of wood, and my almost 3 y/o loves pulling down the hydraulic lever to split wood.
He and I split almost a cord and a half across several days together, he had a total blast.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,166
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From: wi
well we give the splitter a good shake down today we split 2 pick-up loads with out a hitch so i gess itll make it for the long run,best part moms realy happy with it so i gess thats all that matters
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