Lets say a guy wanted to build a chainsaw log splitter that would have the capacity to rip down the center of a 6' diameter hardwood log. How many horse power would a guy need to spin skip tooth rip chain through the log? Would a 32 HP V4 Wisconsin do it or should I be thinking more along the lines of a small block Chevy motor? I currently have 2 choices laying around...
Please don't pound on me to hard.
Thanks
I would think the Wisconsin would work just fine. Will you be direct driving, or running the bar hydraulically? Are you splitting so you can get the log on a mill?
Dave
I have no idea,but I want to see a picture of that rig when you build it. WOW!!!!!!
I've dreamed of doing the same thing but my fabrication skills are nil. I would go with a hydraulic drive rather than a direct drive so you don't tear things apart should something bind or go wrong. Just 2ยข from someone who doesn't really know what he's talking about.
My 2 cents is that the Wisconsin will work.
I'd use a jack shaft with a little step up in the sprockets.
A 3120 is around 8.4 horse if I recall correctly and pulls a 72" through a cross cut just fine.
Riping will take a bit more and be pretty slow unless you step it up a bit, but you'll get through it.
Do a search here for slabbers. :)
Thinking the bar will be direct drive for now, well pulley and belts anyways. Yes I would like to use it quarter or slab logs to big for the mill. It's just a thought right now, I've started collecting some stuff like I beam for the bed and head rig, hydraulics to move the head rig up and down and forward and back.
Like I said it's just a thought right now, I have not started building it yet.
Thanks
I think that chevy small block would do it.That 32hp motor is WAY to small. ;) Just kidding.I'm thinking of that V8 chainsaw.
The Peterson and Lucas dedicated slabbers use 13-27hp for logs up to 6 ft, so your 32 will be fine.
I think you run into limits with how much power the chain will actually stand :P
Those slabbers use a super skip chain, a set of cutter about every 12". Not super fast, but they will knaw though just about everything. Use an idler shaft so you can adjust the gearing and chain speed. This also isolates your engine from the vibration and shock loading generated by the chain.
Some slabber action in this thread.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=19903.0 (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=19903.0)
Cheers
Ian
Talk to Captain, he's got all the goodies to make you one up. I've got to get a few more $$ saved up then project slabber will start. ;D
Hope somebody gets one going within driving distance pretty quick. Just started taking out about a dozen walnut stumps yesterday, most a lot bigger than will fit on the WM.
Here's one I got started a while back, hope it helps.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=26196.msg375981#msg375981
The Wisconsin would do the job but the small block would sound better and you could get all kinds of cool stuff to make it look real neat.