Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

[KRS]

Good evening,

I forgot my maul (again) this weekend while taking the kids camping. Lots of firewood rounds were to be found in the forest, but no way to split them and they didn't burn well at all. It also made for a cold night's sleep in the tent since the stove wasn't being fed well.

I always have a hi-lift jack in my truck.

Is there a way to make (or is there a durable kit) to make it a manual lot splitter? A splitter blade that can bolt onto it?

Looking for thoughts or what anyone else has done.

KRS

 

[insanity]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

With some creative fabrication it can be done, but it would be one more thing you could forget. You would not want it to be permanent as welding a maul on it could cause cracks in the casting which could lead to failure when you really need it. If you already have a place to mount it, it may be easier to just add a bracket for an axe, or get a spare maul and leave it in your truck. Otherwise a custom base plate and a slip on maul with a way to lock it in place should work fine.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

yeah I like the idea but instead of it going anywhere near the base plate why not weld/bolt a wedge on the top? you know instead of the rope loop on top bolt a wedge up there so that you simply run the jack nearly all the way up, the log goes between the jacking surface and the wedge on top. If you could bolt the hilift to the bumper or something so that the jacking face is down you could bungee a log into place and split it piece of cake. I might do this next weekend!

 

[j_martin]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

Neat idea. The only kink I see is that the average log splitter develops 20 tons or more of force, and a high lift jack will do 3.

 

[skargo]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

Pretty sure there is a log splitting attachment available.

 

[i386]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

I would also be concerned that it's not reversible like a hydraulic splitter is. Could be a pita if you got a big hunk of wood stuck on there. Otherwise, I think it's a cool idea.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

Cool Idea. Similar to using it as a manual winch. Still it would just be faster and easier to bring a splitting maul.

 

[i386]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

I did some more Googling. Apparantly, Hi-Lift sold a log splitter attachment for their jacks some time ago but not anymore. So far I have not been able to find a pic of one though.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

I did some more Googling. Apparantly, Hi-Lift sold a log splitter attachment for their jacks some time ago but not anymore. So far I have not been able to find a pic of one though.

HA you and I doing the same research with the same results!! Northern tool sells a 1' wide by 12" tall steel wedge I bet I can weld up an attachment for the hilift, sort of like that jackmate that wraps around the entire hilift then a pin to locate it....

Wedge: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_57617_57617

Jackmate: http://www.amazon.com/JackMate®-Lif...8NQQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287378307&sr=8-1

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

Been there tried that. Fabricated all the components to bolt on the jack. End result, not enough force and very unstable unless you attach a large base plate to the jack. One large enough to stand on while working the handle. And still not enough force. Your best bet is to buy a splitting maul, 8 or 10 pound like one of these.

 

[75TowerOfPower]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

Well just mount an axe or mual to the hi-lift mount with the hi-lift and problem solved. I have both always in my jeep with a shovel as well.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

Been there tried that. Fabricated all the components to bolt on the jack. End result, not enough force and very unstable unless you attach a large base plate to the jack. One large enough to stand on while working the handle. And still not enough force. Your best bet is to buy a splitting maul, 8 or 10 pound like one of these.

Not trying to split hairs here but I'm wondering if you know what types of wood you tried to split? All I have here in Colorado is Pine, Cottonwood and Aspen which are all pretty light grained, I know back east wood is much harder so I wonder if that may be a factor or not.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

Neat idea. The only kink I see is that the average log splitter develops 20 tons or more of force, and a high lift jack will do 3.

A very good point esp with those old iron wood 20 tons can be testy

 

[KRS]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

Good replies, good points.

I hadn't thought of the force required vs tool capacity.

It's mostly pine here in AZ that I'd be splitting (up in the mountains).

Maybe a maul

 

[KRS]

Re: Can I make my HI-Lift jack into a log splitter?

Just went to hi-lift's you-tube site, they say the clamp (at the top of the jack) is only rated for 500 lbs clamping force (7,000 pulling), so with only 500 lbs of clamping force I couldn't split anything.

KRS