i am thinking of getting a 22 ton rugged made splitter..

[blacksmith3]

   anyone know the pros and cons on these already own a northern toolhttps://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=position"> Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company 22 ton with the Honda engine but would like to get a unit with a log lift and push through design...only cut about 3 cords of wood a year but I enjoy doing it...or can I get a log lift for my northern splitter?

  thanks in advance,
  Gary
   mn outdoors north

[North River Energy]

For your needs as described, it's like trading in a MacIntosh for a Cortland.

Most, if not all of the splitters in that class are 'slow' and suffer from poor ergonomics. Neither of which should be a deterrent given your goals and expected throughput.
On the larger (37 ton) units, Rugged Made uses a 'better' cylinder, in that it has a more favorable bore to rod diameter ratio. However, they don't follow through with a dump valve on the return circuit, so the cylinder upgrade isn't fully exploited.
Read as many reviews as possible, and consider customer service in the event you're not mechanically inclined.

Also, welcome to the forum.

[thecfarm]

Welcome to the forum.
I sure have no idea about that model. With only 3 cords,I would "think" it would last.But saying that,a big knot might make it stop in it's track.
Northern can kinda be like Harbor Freight. Cheaper is not always better. But it might work out just fine. Big help I am.  ;D

[Banjo picker]

Welcome to the forum.  I have always busted my wood by hand, but the hands of time are catching up with me.  I found this cylinder at a discount place, and bought it for $40.  I modified a little trailer and built this unit.  It splits going both ways.  It was fun to put together.  Banjo

  

 

[barbender]

All I know is, I have an 27 ton MTD, that is the horizontal/vertical model. I much prefer a push through design, when you get into stringy wood the wedge on the ram design is just a pain👎

[blacksmith3]

Welcome to the forum.  I have always busted my wood by hand, but the hands of time are catching up with me.  I found this cylinder at a discount place, and bought it for $40.  I modified a little trailer and built this unit.  It splits going both ways.  It was fun to put together.  Banjo

  

 

hey thanks for the info...I also play 5 string banjo...been playing since I was 18 and now I am 62...I own 3 banjos, 2 gibsons and a deering deluxe...

[Banjo picker]

Good deal.  I only have one, its a gibson.  This is a good forum to be on, and I am betting you have some interesting stuff you work on with that id you have.  It would be good to fill in some of the information such as the gerneral area you are from and such.   Back to the splitter, what is a push through design?  I am thinking a lot bigger unit than what I put together.  Banjo

[barbender]

Banjo, a push through has a flat plate on the ram, and pushes the wood through a wedge that is fixed in place on the splitter beam. Just the opposite of most splitters, which have a wedge on the end of the ram, that pushes the wood against a plate fixed on the end of the beam.

[sawguy21]

A lot of people prefer the push through, the wood doesn't get hung up on the ram, but it doesn't allow vertical splitting of large rounds.

[Banjo picker]

ok I see.