log splitter modifications DIY

In this Video I preview my modifications I've made to my Troy-Bilt 27 Ton log splitter.

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

Very nice mods. You really thought this through. I have a Huskee 22 ton splitter that I bought from Tractor Supply. A few years ago we had several monster sized trees go down in a wicked wind storm. In try to get those cleaned up, we ran into a problem. The blocks were more than 40 inches across and were so heavy that 2 guys really struggled with them. I came up with the idea to create a boom and a winch to crank them into the splitter rather than wrestle our guts out . I have a friend that is a fabricator. He designed and built the boom. We added a 1600 lb hand crank winch and 50 ft of 1/8 inch steel cable and use a set of logging tongs to hook into the blocks to drag them into the splitter. This set up works great. I now can work alone and those huge blocks are no longer an issue. Thanks for sharing your video. New subscriber here.

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Thanks for subscribing! I like your innovations as well. I use my tractor loader as a log lift when the rounds get really heavy or I turn my splitter in the vertical position. I recently tore my rotator cuff so I'm limited on my maneuverability. Thanks for sharing!

[@paulhare662]

My homemade splitter is configured a little different but I stack splits into a ramp on one side and let them accumulate on the other side till they are "work table" height. the big rounds get rolled up the ramp. At 65 years old, I can still handle 36 inch rounds with ease.

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Great idea with the self feed ramp!

[@goodsamaritanfirewoodproject]

HeyJoe ! Catfish here ! Oh to be handy ! Great modifications , love the creativity ! Your splitter does the job !

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Thank you! We have to make do with what we have during these weird times. I will tell you that no matter what happens, people will need Firewood. Thanks for commenting!

[@timgannon2993]

That jockey wheel is mindblowing

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Game changer lol

[@HubertofLiege]

I have basically the same splitter and have had it for 10-15 years. I took the I-beam part off the axle a set it on another I-beam which raised it 8-10 inches. I also turned it around and set the end of the new beam back into the channel holding the original I-beam which gave me room to add a cylender for a lift table. That required a few extra jacks to stabilize it and After adding another valve through the power beyond port on the original valve I have a splitter at waist height with a lift table. Much more productive and easier to operate, as the table also gives you space to work as well as lifts a table of rounds.

[@PathfinderExcavating]

I would like to see how you did all that. Do you make videos?

[@Alan_Hans__]

Love the idea of your handle extension. It needs something to retain it in place a bit better so that you don't have to keep chasing it.

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Absolutely, a bungee or rubber band works fine. It's probably the best mod I've ever done it makes splitting that more ergonomic.

[@DJC995]

Nice modifications I have a similar splitter that needs a jokey wheel to replace the prop stand Thanks

[@PathfinderExcavating]

It's a great modification.

[@PapaRug.58]

I made a cover over my engine as well with the amount of plastics on them I wanted to protect it also I use an old set of metal car ramps to elevate the splitter higher

[@PathfinderExcavating]

I used some car ramps also. It helped but I took my wheels off and mounted this to some railroad ties. It will now be my secondary splitter. My new one will be for better production and this will be for bundles.

[@dalebertdurando1496]

Nice! Did you add the front wheel too? My MTD has a fold down bracket that looks like a guillotine for your fingers. Also noticed you have an adjustment bolt on the side of the wedge bracket. No mention of it in my manual. Looks like wedge alignment (?)

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Yeah, I added the harbor freight wheel and it was a game changer for moving it around. Doesn't work well on grass obviously but for my Asphalt driveway and concrete floor it does the trick. You were spot on about the wedge alignment. Thanks for watching!

[@dangareau]

I have the exact same splitter. I agree the original rack is a joke. I made mine out of old bed frames and scrap tubing. It's so overbuilt but everyone loves it. I'm waiting for Harbor Freight to open so I can go get a jack and ditch that stupid C-channel but I can't believe that it never occured to me even though I always change them on a boat. The handle idea is brilliant too. Seems so obvious once you see it but I never thought of it. Thanks man. Liked and subbed

[@PathfinderExcavating]

You're very welcome. Thanks for subscribing and your comments. Sometimes, overbuilt is better, lol

[@PathfinderExcavating]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6TaeKl4obSLe8U

[@davekana8388]

Liked and subscribed, yes same splitter. Did the boat jack years ago. Also put a 4-way Swisher on mine!

[@davekana8388]

@@PathfinderExcavating can’t afford one of those, nice though!

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Thank you I sold a lot of Firewood to pay for it. I've had the old troy bilt for 5 years saving up for this type of splitter.

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Hey Joe , I like the mods especially the handle extension . I have a big box store splitter but it beats an axe just like yours does too !!!

[@PathfinderExcavating]

I will probably do one more season with this splitter. They are slow, but you can get a lot done if you use your imagination and have enough motivation. Thank you 😊

[@alpiacente9731]

Brilliance at work. I am going to do the same!

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Thank you, sir. Good luck!

[@joelasee1773]

Money to change out a two speed pump. Mine came wit one , a bit faster.

[@balloonsomeday]

Hi Joe, I stumbled across your channel while trying to research a DIY 4-way log splitting wedge (Love the table modification! And the handle is pretty clever, too...) I noticed you had a couple of older videos using one you'd welded up, but didn't mention your 4-way wedge here. Did you find it tedious to use, or maybe more hassle than it was worth? I've got a similar splitter to yours, and was seriously considering crafting a wedge similar to your 4-way, if it was worthwhile. (I don't run a firewood biz; I just use a woodstove to heat my shop every winter. So my splitter gets used 2-3 times a year, to make about 10-12 ricks per winter...). Thanks for any tips and advice...

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Thanks for the comment. My 4-way wedge had some flaws. The angle of the cross blade was wrong, so it frequently jammed up with wood. It worked, but it started to annoy me, and the purpose in making it was to be efficient. Right now, the mods you see there have improved my efficiency. I think I will need to upgrade my splitter if I keep selling the firewood I do. I would suggest doing some more research on the angle of the cross blade. Maybe I'll revisit my build and modify it in a video. Happy welding! Thanks for tuning in.

[@D70340]

At the end of the video, i see the handle swivels further away making you have to reach much farther. Did you find a way to lock it into position so it doesn`t swing away from you?

[@PathfinderExcavating]

I just cut a rubber band and attached it to the handle and the one hose and it keeps it in place just enough. Also it helps if the splitter is leveled better with the trailer jack. Thanks for commenting!

[@BGWenterprises]

Engine sounds like its just over 3,000 The OHV engines can normally handle about 3,600rpms. Mite shave a few seconds off the round trip.

[@BGWenterprises]

One side affect would be hyd oil getting heat faster. I know when I went from flat head to OHV the fluid definitely heats up much faster.

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Never would have thought about that. You can tell just by listening. That's why KZbin is awesome. Filled with talented people!

[@BGWenterprises]

@@PathfinderExcavating my other outside thebox mods, LOL. I had a dead inverter generator, i took the rubber feet and super quiet muffler and swapped them on to the HF engine. As well as a change to LP fuel. you can actually run it and not need earplugs as its about 80db or so, plus no annoying loud pins rattling anywhere. . I think part of my temperature issues is the oil tank doesn't hold the normal 4+ gal. Its mabe 3 or so. As the oil tank is only about 2/3 the width of the machine. The tank is Not all the way from tire to tire like most are. Its a early 80s, MTD-20

[@danthedewman1]

need another grate protecting the hyd filter

[@jimmieburleigh9549]

The trick I want to know is how to take that splitter or similar like a county line and speed up the cycle time. That's the first mod I would do.

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Looked into it. Depends on ram size, hydraulic flow, pump capability, and engine speed. I will be showing my new splitter on the channel when it arrives. Look for that in the next couple weeks. I will keep this one for Bundles.

[@jimmieburleigh9549]

@@PathfinderExcavating cool.

[@rottiejakeluke]

Thanks for your video. I have the exact splitter and I will do the same mod with the handle. I think it’s simple, yet great. I got my splitter used and have a problem that I hope, and pray, you can help me with.. on my machine, keep in mind I do not know who monkeyed with it, when I pull out the wire with the loop at the end to close the choke it pulled Bach. It will not stay in the closed position regardless of what I tried. If you can do me a huge favor i will be forever thankful. I would love to get some pictures of the top of your carburetor showing all the linkage and how it’s connected. What ever pictures you think will let me see what’s wrong with mine by comparing it to yours. I am not even sure the carburetor o my machine is even correct. I have not been able to find a parts list showing it with the manually operated choke lever and as stated you may be a lifesaver. I van be reached on FaceBook Messenger by my name shown on this comment. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer. Yours, Michael

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Thank you for your comment. I will try and get some pica of the linkage for you. It may be a couple of days.

[@rottiejakeluke]

@@PathfinderExcavating thank you so much. I will be forever grateful.

[@PathfinderExcavating]

It's deer season here in Ohio so that has been my focus as of late. I haven't forgot about you. I just haven't been at the shop.

[@rottiejakeluke]

I shall wait and hopefully, you have success with the hunt. Please do get back when you dress out and package all your meat. ​@@PathfinderExcavating

[@archerystud]

Have you ever thought about bigger tires to get up higher

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Hey Mike, thanks for watching. I have thought about that. The tire keeps going flat and I have a new splitter on order. So, I set this thing on railroad tie blocks and it's a perfect height. The plan is to keep it in place and use only for Bundles once the new splitter arrives.

[@BrendonHoppy]

Thats about as slow as my machine😂😂😂 mine you can swing fromo horizontal to vertical, so you dont have to lift the logs up onto the deck, its made by Anova. Ok, its slow but maybe I still have all my fingers intact because its so slow,, having said that if it was faster,, i wouldnt put my fingers so close, ah well it works

[@PathfinderExcavating]

Slow slow slow. I definitely need to bit the bullet and upgrade. Here's to keeping all our digits! 😀