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Advice Buying A Logsplitter

Started by 32vld, August 02, 2018, 12:08:02 PM

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32vld

My son has a catering business and he has a 1946 Chevrolet 2 ton
farm truck turned into a pizza truck.

Currently I have been splitting all the wood by hand using a Stihl
6.8 lb splitting axe. To split 3 to 4 cords of white and red oak each
season.

His business has grown and so has the need for more firewood.
So at this point I am looking into buying a log splitter.

Gas powered, hydraulic and can be trailered are requirements.

I get a lot of large size rounds from 18' to 36" in diameter.

Now a I cannot pick up large rounds so looking for a splitter that
can do vertical as well as horizontal. Putting a second blade on to
get 4 pieces in one pass sounds good.

Though I am on a tight budget. So I think those splitters with a
hydraulic or manual lift will be too expensive.

So please share your collective knowledge as to advantages and
disadvantage, brands that have good reputations, minimum ton
rating.

Example, why buy a hydraulic/manual lift splitter when you can
use a splitter that will convert to a vertical splitter. And anything
else I should of asked.


TKehl

For a tight budget and with that size wood, I would skip the 4 way splitter head.  Great for somewhat consistent sizes otherwise, not so great.  Unless you get one that can be changed out fairly easily.  

The only thing I don't like about the ones that tilt to vertical is that the head that moves is the wedge.  I prefer the push block move as then I can use the cylinder in reverse to pull it off the wedge when it sticks.  If you stick it vertically, there's nothing to pull against other than gravity and you may be stuck splitting by hand.  Not a big deal in straight grained stuff that splits well.  But I guess worst case, you would occasionally have to split them off by hand, which is where you are now.

Can't say brands or anything.  Both of mine are homemade...
In the long run, you make your own luck – good, bad, or indifferent. Loretta Lynn

Wudman

I have one of the big box store brands (bought it at Lowes) from about 20 years ago.  It is rated at 27 tons.  It came with a 5 horse Honda (which has been replaced with a cheap Briggs - the bushing in the coupling came apart and my operator continued to run it knocking the crankshaft seals out of it).  It will pivot from horizontal to vertical.  I have yet to put anything on it that it wouldn't split or mash into pieces.  On return, the wedge retreats into a housing that will dislodge any stuck on pieces as referred to by Tkel. I think I paid about $900 for it when I bought it new.  You should be able to find it used for $500.  For the really  big pieces, I will take the maul and downsize them to manageable units to handle on the splitter.  You could also use a boat winch and a set of tongs to move the bigger stuff around.  I have nothing bad to say about the machine.  It has served my purposes well.  I would guess that it has split 200 cords of wood in its life.

Wudman 
"You may tear down statues and burn buildings but you can't kill the spirit of patriots and when they've had enough this madness will end."
Charlie Daniels
July 4, 2020 (2 days before his death)

32vld

Having a 4 way splitter is not a must. Though I would want a 
splitter that has a quick second splitter attachment to use on 
the smaller pieces.

My neighbor just had 2 mature oaks and a maple cut down.
He borrowed his cousin or friend's Cub Cadet 27 ton
vertical/horizontal splitter with a Honda engine.

27 tons seems to have plenty of power. Though thanks to the
tip I now know why the ram hangs up when he is doing large
rounds in the vertical operation.

Log Splitter Direct has that model for $1,630

I like splitting by hand. It is my gym membership. Though
years past I would be able to choose rounds that were easy
to split. Now harder to come by free wood. Though I have 
found a tree guy that will bring me a truck load of white or
red oak at a time. Though it contains rounds that can be hard
to split manually.

Time to up grade. Thank you.

thecfarm

I have not got a stick of wood stuck on my splitter,that I had to hammer off. Yet. ;D  Had a few I had to put another piece in front to help it split.I see NY,probably have the same wood as Maine? I have a 26 ton splitter. Just a cheaper,kinda same idea as a big box one,honz-vert. But that vertical  takes some time. I split them small enough to pick up by hand. I myself would not a 3 foot piece up in the air and then split it in two. :o   But as I said,those big ones takes some time to split down into pieces that I want to pick up.Vertical also bothers my back more too.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

goose63

 

 

@32vld I welded a short pipe to the end with a longer pipe that you can turn with a cheep atv winch and a 12 volt battery no more picking up the big stuff works like a charm
goose
if you find your self in a deep hole stop digging
saw logs all day what do you get lots of lumber and a day older
thank you to all the vets

32vld

Goose, I like that idea.

Went to the equipment dealer I buy landscaping equipment from a
few days ago. Was speaking to the salesman that I have dealt with
for years and the new owner spoke up and said for what I want to
do I should get this splitter from northern toolhttps://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=position"> Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company.

The North Star 30 ton horizontal/vertical splitter, Honda GX 200 engine
with cast iron sleeves. Lots of great features, including a wedge wing
to do 4 way splits. $1,750.

The owner printed out the pages from the northern toolhttps://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=position"> Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company website for
me to take home to look over.

goose63

That's the new spiltter i have i put the boom on it but i dont like the wedge so i took it off



 

This thing is a beast
goose
if you find your self in a deep hole stop digging
saw logs all day what do you get lots of lumber and a day older
thank you to all the vets

32vld

I got my 30 ton North Star splitter. It took me a week to get
it all together. It was a good thing that I had an engine hoist
to help getting the splitter together. I could of not done it by
myself.

I read the fine print instructions and it said if using the splitter
above 70 to use Dexron III. I called the splitter manufacturer
and they said they recommend I use the Dexron III.

Compared to the 27 ton Cub Cadet that my neighbor borrowed
it is made so much more heavy duty. And it sits taller so when
working horizontal you are not bent over.

The Honda engine is quiet and when the ram is retracted the
engine has a low idle adding to the noise reduction.

When I would split by hand I had a 2 x 8 x 8 plank with a metal
end to turn a plank into a ramp, to roll the large rounds up onto
the chopping block. I now use that ramp to roll the large rounds
up onto the operator side table then onto the splitter beam.

Happy with this set up. I bought the 4 way splitter attachment
when ordering the machine but I have not used it yet.

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