foot welded onto end of beam

perfect clearance when ram fully extended - just enough to chop your finger off but leave enough skin so it doesn't drop on the floor...

12.9 grade high tensile bolts on the left are the ones we'll be using

the wedge is blurred because it's moving!!! using some compressed air rather than hydraulic fluid we got the ram working (but a bit jerky due to the air)

shows the lifter plate below

trial run assembly

designing how it will be locked in position and will lower to the ground

going to be tight fitting a locking mechanism in there

this is its normal working height, with ram fully extended

tight fit

this it lowered almost to the deck for ground level splitting

locking mechanism finally designed and built - two tubes, a hole, a pin and a securing clip

locking pin passes right through beam and two tubes and retained with an R clip

may need to enlargen the hole if alignment becomes tricky

another dark saturday night working - this time assembling the beam with its locking pin - so here can be seen in the actual stored position

stowed

tipped up hydraulically (for the first time) into default splitting position

normal splitting position

can see end of locking pin holding the beam up vertically

experimenting with chain for lowering mechanism

It's finally assembled and home. Welding done, plumbed in and ready for testing.

Notice protection hoops over fittings and support post for storage

Final hoses made up and plumbed in.

Notice strengthener bars under bottom plate and hose retaining rod between beam and cab.

fully erect at the flick of a lever...

will it work?

of course

didn't bother it at all (but it is dry larch wood).

works well through knotted sections as well