Redneck Wood Splitter

2009 - Volume #33, Issue #4, Page #39

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"I've finally got my firewood-making to the point where it's almost an easy job," says Jim Boisen, Minong, Wis., who built what he calls a self-propelled "redneck" wood splitter.
    The rig is a converted pickup with a homemade log splitter on one side, and a dump box on back. An 8 hp gas engine belt-drives a hydraulic pump that powers the splitter and also raises and lowers the dump box.
    He started with a used 1979 Ford F-150 4-WD pickup equipped with a 6-cyl. engine and 4-speed transmission, which he bought for $500. Mechanically, the pickup was in good shape but the body was rusted away so he stripped it down to the chassis. He removed the lift blocks on the pickup's rear axle to lower the frame about 4 in. Then he mounted the log splitter, and the gas engine that operates it, on a metal platform on the passenger side of the pickup.
    The splitter is operated by an 11 gpm hydraulic pump, which drives a 3 1/2-in. dia., 36-in. long hydraulic cylinder. An old portable air tank serves as the hydraulic oil reservoir.
    "The platform is level with the top of the splitter so the split wood never falls to the ground. That makes it easy to pick up and throw into the dump box," says Boisen.
    Boisen had made the dump box years ago from 1/4-in. thick steel, mounting it on a truck. He removed the box from the truck and made hinges for the back part of the pickup chassis. The box is raised and lowered by a pair of big hydraulic cylinders off an old front-end loader.
    He used 1/4-in. thick Masonite to build a hood over the pickup engine and had his sister-in-law make decals for it.
    "I found the seat in the dump. I moved the pickup's rear bumper to the front, after narrowing it 12 in. on each side. It protects the radiator and provides a hitch on front that makes it easier to park trailers," notes Boisen.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jim Boisen, N13419 Kimball Lake Rd., Minong, Wis. 54859 (ph 715 466-2329; boisenj@centurytel.net).

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Redneck Wood Splitter WOODLOT EQUIPMENT Wood Splitters 33-4-39 "I've finally got my firewood-making to the point where it's almost an easy job," says Jim Boisen, Minong, Wis., who built what he calls a self-propelled "redneck" wood splitter. The rig is a converted pickup with a homemade log splitter on one side, and a dump box on back. An 8 hp gas engine belt-drives a hydraulic pump that powers the splitter and also raises and lowers the dump box. He started with a used 1979 Ford F-150 4-WD pickup equipped with a 6-cyl. engine and 4-speed transmission, which he bought for $500. Mechanically, the pickup was in good shape but the body was rusted away so he stripped it down to the chassis. He removed the lift blocks on the pickup's rear axle to lower the frame about 4 in. Then he mounted the log splitter, and the gas engine that operates it, on a metal platform on the passenger side of the pickup. The splitter is operated by an 11 gpm hydraulic pump, which drives a 3 1/2-in. dia., 36-in. long hydraulic cylinder. An old portable air tank serves as the hydraulic oil reservoir. "The platform is level with the top of the splitter so the split wood never falls to the ground. That makes it easy to pick up and throw into the dump box," says Boisen. Boisen had made the dump box years ago from 1/4-in. thick steel, mounting it on a truck. He removed the box from the truck and made hinges for the back part of the pickup chassis. The box is raised and lowered by a pair of big hydraulic cylinders off an old front-end loader. He used 1/4-in. thick Masonite to build a hood over the pickup engine and had his sister-in-law make decals for it. "I found the seat in the dump. I moved the pickup's rear bumper to the front, after narrowing it 12 in. on each side. It protects the radiator and provides a hitch on front that makes it easier to park trailers," notes Boisen. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jim Boisen, N13419 Kimball Lake Rd., Minong, Wis. 54859 (ph 715 466-2329; boisenj@centurytel.net).

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