Re: Wood Splitters

[AtLast]

I also have a HUSKEE 5.5 hp 27 ton....works great....adapted a multi split wedge onto it that can easily be put on or taken off...its a 4 way splitter and works great.

[RSteiner]

I am considering the purchase of a log splitting device other than the axe and maul I have used for the past 30 years, the old elbows can't take the abuse like they once did.

I have looked at hydraulic powered units and used one several times.  My only problem is they seem to be a little slow, I can split the easy stuff twice as fast by hand.  

I have also looked at a flywheel driven rack and pinion splitter called a Super Split.  The cycle time is only 4 seconds most hydraulic splitters are in the 12 second or more range.  The faster cycle time appeals to me.

I like the fact of not having hydraulic fluid, lines, and valves to worry about.  Just a motor and a couple of drive belts power the super split.  

I would be greatful for any advice you folks might have.
Thanks,
Randy

[Corley5]

I've got a hydraulic one that I bought at Tractor Supply a couple seasons ago.  It's 25 tons with a Honda 5.5hp engine.  I couldn't be happier with it.  It'll split in either the vertical or horizontal position too which is nice for really big wood.

[rebocardo]

>  My only problem is they seem to be a little slow,
> I can split the easy stuff twice as fast by hand.  

When I tell people that they always laugh or think I am telling a tall one. What is worse is if it does not have a four way wedge and you have to split the same log four+ times.

The only thing I would worry about a flywheel driven one is exposed parts, if they are. I would look at something that automatically retracts at the end of the cycle. Other than that, I know nothing about log splitters.

[wiam]

I have seen a Super Split at a show and thought it to be a nice unit, but a little pricey.  It does split fast and retracts automatically.  Some tougher blocks took two hits.

When someone tells me they can split wood faster with a maul,  I tell them that I can split it longer with my hydraulic splitter.

Will

[Ron Scott]

I've got an hydraulic one, also from Tractor Supply. Its the 20 Ton Husky. It has been a good unit so fair with a couple seasons use. It goes fast enough for me to keep up with it.

Visit Tractor Supply in the early fall during their "demo days" and try one out. They also offer them at a discount price then.
That's when I got mine.

[Minnesota_boy]

When someone tells me they can split wood faster with a maul,  I tell them that I can split it longer with my hydraulic splitter.

Will

 I'll bet I can split wood longer with my Woodmizer.  Works pretty fast too on the longer green cuts.  I prefer to split it in 16 foot lengths and pile it that way, for later chainsawing into blocks.

[wiam]

 
MB not exactly what I meant by longer but it would work.

Will

[Ed_K]

 I run an American 4' splitter, its on 3pt hitch and runs off the tractor hydro's. Split it 4' and stack for drying, then cut to length. It doesn't alway's go all the way to split either. Its vertical so if you can't pick up a heavy stick, just cut it to 16" and process. I also have an old truck frame with a wood rack and 16" slots to cut to length, and a 24" splitter on the end. I cut, roll the piece down to the splitter, and into the elevator, which started as a hay elevator. This starts with 8' or 12' logs, and processed to what ever length is ordered. This is slower than the 4' tho.

[RSteiner]

Thanks for the advice.  I know what you all mean when you say you can split longer with a mechanical device over a maul.

I have seen a couple of Super Splits work.  One was 15 years old and averaged 120 cord of wood a year with only a drive belt change.  They tend to be 300 or 400 more than a hydraulic model.

There is a Logging Expo coming up the end of April in Springfield, Mass.  I think I can get a show special which will soften the blow some.

Randy

[LogRite]

If you plan on selling firewood. Get the fastest cycle time machine you can afford. I spent many, many days this summer splitting the leftovers from our sawmilling operation with a 14 second cycle time machine. After I figured out the time I spent vs. the money I made it ended up being less than $10 an hour.
Not gonna make that mistake again.
The super splitter looks nice.  I'm gonna check it out at the Springfield Mass logging show. We are gonna have a booth there in the Better Living Center. Stop by and say hi.

[Chet]

I have a 20 ton hydraulic that I bought from Fleet Farm in 1980, it's was built by Speeco. It is one purchase I have absolutely never regretted.  If I split the amount of wood this splitter has split over the years I think I'd either look like Hulk Hogan or my arms would be totally shot.

[Mark M]

I bought one from Baileys. It does a good job but it's big and heavy. Course so am I so I guess that makes us even.

[shopteacher]

I have a 20 ton that I picked up at Northern Hyd. (now Nothern Tool) It's been a great machine but for production I think it would be kind of slow. If buying a hyd. model the greater the pump gpm the faster the cycle time.

[Lenny_M]

 Them supersplits are nice and fast,But be careful,once the cycle starts you can`t stop it
I made A hyd,splitter with new componants from northern tool Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company For about $500. without the tank and cyl.
5 HP. 13.6GPM 2 stage pump, 3 1/2" cyl. with 2 1/2 shaft. Reasonably fast split speed and fast retract speed.
Great for most stuff but a bit under powered on the really ugley stuff, The ones you don~t really want to pick up anyway.
One thang to consider is working height.Waist height works great for me, easy on the back.
I`ve used some that are low and your always bent over, A few hours and your beat.
                                      Lenny_m

[redpowerd]

ne1 got a webpage for one of them supersplits?
ive never seen em, been lookin thru old s+w mags, but cant find em. thanks

[johnjbc]

I have had 2 from Tractor Supply. The first was borrowed in the middle of the night about 10 years ago . I replaced it with a 3 point hitch module that can be converted from horizontal to vertical. I use vertical because I don't have to lift large donuts.
I'm not sure how many tons of force it has but the cylinder is 4" x 24".
Worked OK on my Case 530 but was a little slow. I now run it off the hydraulic pack that used to run the barn cleaner. It is fast, never gets stopped even in a stringy crotch. It will cut 5" oak limbs crossways.
As for splitting faster by hand. If you have nice straight Oak and the first year of your age is 4 or less you can go pretty fast, until you hit a knot or crotch and need to get out the wedges.

[SwampDonkey]

I have a home-made wood splitter with a 10.5 HP snow blower motor on it. Its fast enough for me to split a piece, have it return, and ready after I throw the split chunks into the cellar hole. Personally I like the speed of mine because when you hurry at something, you end up injuring yourself. This unit doesn't make you hurry at your work, just my pace. Oh and it only cost $600 to make, which is a nice price too.  When you have alot of free-lance weldors and mechanics in an area you can get stuff done cheep.

[Blue9R]

The Timberwolf splitter with the 6-way wedge is my entry for favorite wood splitter.  It's rated at an 8 second cycle time, 28 tons with an 18 hp Honda engine.

Course, the purchase of a TW-6 is somewhere out in the future, probably 2-3 days after I cash in that winning lottery ticket!

Check out the video clip of the 6-way wedge in action on the bottom of the Timberwolf web page.

http://www.timberwolfcorp.com/splitters/tw6/tw6.htm

[ADfields]

I have a 35 ton with a 8hp brigs and a single 8 inch wide blade.   I have had guys tell me they can go faster with a ax.   I say bet ya a hundred you cant!   I can do 6 cords in around 4 hours with it if I have good rounds to work with because I know how to do it.   I plant my but on a round and stand the splitter upright in front of me so I don't need to lift even the small stuff.  I don't cycle it all the way every time, 4 or 5 inch is all you need most of the time.  I half the round, spin it and take a 2nd chop that makes 2- 1/2's into 4- 1/4's in one stroke.   It may look slow but when was the last time you split 6 cord before lunch!
Andy