Portable hydraulic log splitter

A portable log splitting machine is disclosed wherein the splitter can be readily broken down into separate lightweight components for convenient transport and storage, such as in the trunk of an automobile. The splitter includes a ram section comprising an elongated beam with a wedge fitted at one end and a slidably-mounted pusher plate or ram which is hydraulically operated to drive a log against the wedge to split the same. The ram is reciprocably moved by the piston rod of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. The rod is detachably connected to the ram by a simple yoke and cross pin arrangement and the cylinder is detachably fitted onto the beam by a trunnion pin that extends from the cylinder and slips into brackets carried by the beam for ready assembly and disassembly. An engine-driven pump assembly is connected to the cylinder by two detachable hoses and provides the hydraulic pressure for the cylinder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to machines for splitting firewood and more 
particularly relates to hydraulic log-splitting apparatus of the type that 
can be transported from place to place without a trailer vehicle. 
In hydraulic log splitters, a log is usually supported on a frame 
lengthwise between a ram and a stationary splitting wedge. The ram is 
hydraulically operated to drive one end of the log against a sharp edge of 
the wedge. The wedge penetrates the log and, as the ram continues to move 
toward the wedge, the log is split lengthwise into two or more portions. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,066,110 to Sarno, 4,076,062 to Kanik, 4,103,724 to Braid, 
4,141,396 to McCallister, and 4,153,088 to King et al disclose splitters 
of this type. 
Hydraulic splitters have generally been heavy, bulky and difficult to 
transport. While many have employed a trailer so that the splitter can be 
towed behind a vehicle, these units require additional equipment such as a 
towing hitch and are far from ideal for the average homeowner who desires 
to use an effective log splitter and may prefer to rent one for a day's 
use from an equipmental rental establishment. 
Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a 
transportable hydraulic log splitter adapted to be readily broken down 
into lightweight portable components for easy transport in most car trunks 
or station wagons, and is thus ideally suited for use in the equipment 
rental business. 
It is another object to provide an effective and rugged log splitter which 
can be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily. 
It is another object to provide a rugged hydraulic log splitter that is 
very easy for an inexperienced person to operate safely. 
It is yet another object to provide a powerful log splitter that can be 
compactly transported and stored. 
It is still another object to provide a transportable log splitter which, 
although simple and economical in construction, is durable and effective 
for heavy duty performance. 
The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will become 
more readily apparent when the following description is read in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows a hydraulic log splitting 
machine 10 that can be readily broken down into three compact and 
lightweight parts which can be lifted by the average adult for transport 
in the trunk of the family car. The machine includes an engine-pump unit 
or subassembly 12, a hydraulic cylinder 14, and a splitter ram unit 16. 
As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the engine-pump section 12 is carried in a 
tubular frame or cradle 18 and includes a gasoline engine 20 of suitable 
horsepower, such as a 3-horsepower engine, which is connected to hydraulic 
rotary pump 24 by a coupling member 26. The intake side of the pump 24 is 
connected by a conduit 28 to a tank or hydraulic reservoir 30, which 
supplies the pump with a hydraulic fluid, such as a 10-weight, 
non-detergent oil, for pressuring the system. 
Hydraulic cylinder 14 is connected to the engine-driven pump section 12 by 
two flexible hoses 32, 34 and includes a valve 36 which is controlled by 
an operating lever 38 to selectively provide pressure to opposite ends of 
the cylinder by means of hoses 46 and 48 for reciprocable movement of the 
piston. Hose 32 connects valve 36 to the high pressure side of pump 24 and 
hose 34 serves to return the fluid to tank 30. As shown, the valve is 
conveniently mounted on top of the cylinder 14 by a mounting block 42 and 
a U-bolt 44. 
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the cylinder may be connected to the ram 
unit by the use of two simple coupling pins. On the outer end of piston 
rod 40, a yoke 50 is provided for coupling with slide 52 of the ram unit 
16 by a connecting pin 54 which fits through bores 56 registered with a 
hole 58 provided in an upright brace 59 which reinforces the ram plate. 
The connecting pin is held in place by a hitch clip or suitable 
cotter-type retaining pin 60. Cylinder 14 is also connected to the ram 
section 16 by a trunnion arrangement formed by a laterally-extending cross 
pin 62, the outer ends of which are adapted to fit into laterally-spaced 
brackets or supports 64 having upwardly-opening slots 66 to receive the 
pin. A pair of hitch clips 68 insertable into bores 70 provided in the 
upwardly extending arm portion (FIG. 3) of the brackets 64 hold the pin 62 
securely in the slots 66. 
As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2C, the ram section 16 includes a steel I-beam 
72 with an upper flange 74 that serves as a track for slide 52. The slide 
52 is generally U-shaped and is held on the beam 72 by a pair of 
horizontal plates 76, 78 which slidably engage the underside of flange 74. 
An L-shaped pusher plate 80 is mounted on the slide and is movable 
therewith, and is reinforced by the brace or block 59 disposed on the 
backside of plate 80. 
A wood-splitting wedge 82 is permanently fixed to the top of flange 74, at 
one end of the I-beam 72. At the opposite end of the I-beam is a support 
base 84 with feet extending on both sides of the beam to prevent the beam 
from tipping or wobbling during operation of the splitter 10. In the 
preferred embodiment, the support base 84 and brackets 64 are an integral 
member. 
After the three subassemblies are connected together as described in 
connection with FIG. 1, the engine may be started in conventional fashion 
and the machine readied for use. In order to split a log, the pusher plate 
80 and slide 52 are first retracted using control lever 38 to the position 
shown in FIG. 1. The log (not shown) is then placed on top of flange 74 
between the plate and the wedge with one end against ram plate 80. The 
lever 38 is then moved so that the piston rod 40 extends from cylinder 63 
and causes the plate 80 to drive the wood against a sharp vertical edge 86 
of the wedge, thereby splitting the wood. 
The portable hydraulic log splitter can be easily disassembled from its 
FIG. 1 condition by disconnecting the hoses 46, 48 from the valve 36 and 
then removing the clips 60, 68, detaching the pin 54 from the yoke 50 and 
lifting the cylinder to remove the trunnion pin 62 from the brackets 64. 
Similarly, the splitter can be quickly reassembled by replacing the 
trunnion pin 62 into the slots 66 of brackets 64, sliding the cross pin 54 
through the registered holes of the yoke 50 and slide 52 and then 
reattaching the clips 60, 68 and the hoses 46, 48. 
In the preferred embodiment, the engine-driven pump section 12 weighs 61 
pounds, the hydraulic cylinder section 14 weighs 40 pounds and the 
splitter ram section 16 weighs 54 pounds. Due to the lightness of the 
components and their easy assembly/disassembly constructional arrangement, 
the components can be hand-carried for ready assembly at the location of a 
job site. After usage, the splitter can be readily disassembled into its 
three main components or subassemblies and transported in the trunk of the 
family car. 
Due to the particular assembly/disassembly arrangement of the trunnion pin 
62 and brackets 64, the separable cylinder 14 and I-beam 72 are extremely 
compact. Note, for example, that the trunnion pin and brackets are located 
directly at the ends of the cylinder and I-beam so that no extension of 
either the I-beam length or cylinder length is necessary to mount the 
cylinder to the I-beam. Further, note that the outer end portions of the 
cylinder and I-beam are coextensive and overlap only a small amount, that 
amount being substantially equal to the width of the brackets. Thus, the 
free length of the cylinder (i.e., the portion of the cylinder that 
extends outwardly from the beam end) is substantially equal to its overall 
length and similarly, the free end of the beam (i.e., the beam portion 
that extends from the cylinder end) is substantially equal to its overall 
length. This arrangement assures a maximum stroke length of the piston rod 
along the beam with a minimum of overall beam length and cylinder length. 
And due to their compact length, the separated cylinder and I-beam can be 
easily transported in most car trunks and stored out of the way under 
benches, counters or tables. 
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, 
it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made in the preferred embodiment without departing 
from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made 
primarily to the appended claims, rather than to the description of the 
preferred embodiment, to determine the scope of the invention.