electric splitters

[ksks]

I'm sneaking my way into retirement so doing some planning to have thing set up when I get there.

I know folks usually aren't up on electric splitters over gas. But, I had a chance to borrow an electric splitter a few years ago and it did well. I was splitting oak up to about one foot. For ones over one foot I cut a line in the piece before splitting it.

I would cut 2-3 cords per year, mostly oak.

What experience do folks have with electrics?

Thanks,

ks

[beenthere]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum

No actual experience, but have used one helping a friend.
My take is they are extremely slow, and they require two hands on the control so can't hold the wood.

Have thought about having one to keep in the garage to split kindling size wood for the woodstove on occasion, but will be interested in your comments regards your inquiry here. Being quiet and a small footprint the positives for me.

[thecfarm]

ksks,welcome to the forum.
You must be talking about a small one? The only one I ever saw in use was at a show. That was a Super Splitter. This was a unit that was at working height. I think it would split just about anything that you would want. They ran it off an extension cord. Caught my eye. It was splitting wood with no gas engine noise. Seemed odd. I like it. But I have a gas one for now.

[giant splinter]

Ksks,
I still have a 6 ton DR Products electric splitter and it does a fine job of stove cut firewood and is very capable on bigger fireplace sized wood. I always enjoyed hand splitting the big stuff and finishing with the DR six horsepower electric splitter. I can use it indoors and it is a one hand on the lever // one hand on the wood with two travel speeds so its quick enough in high for stove cut and can slow down for the bigger rounds .... I have had it four years and it is very handy, low maintenance and will split anything you need in firewood.

[beenthere]

This similar to your DR electric splitter?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja_bfHhsiwU

[beenthere]

Here is another, says is 7 ton 2-speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3vJQv5Yg4A#t=166

[giant splinter]

Looks like the same one , mine has the outfeed table and the work stand to set it on  .... the DR is an electric powered, hydraulic splitter.

[mikey517]

I have a 5 ton Homelite unit from Home Depot. Used it for all my wood for 2 years before going with an Ariens 27 unit.

I like it a lot, and still use it on occasion, and in the garage when I need to split some kindling. But it will also split some mighty big rounds. I work with it off the tailgate of my pickup.

The 2 hand operation is a pain, but some have made their own mods to bypass this.

For what you describe, it should serve you well.

[sawguy21]

The two hand operation is a safety feature, keeps sensitive body parts out of harms way. ;D I am not impressed with what I have seen of the small electric portables. They are slow but of course they are limited by the power of the 120V motor. There are few service parts available, over the counter exchange while on warranty. If it gives out after the warranty expires it is junk.

[ksks]

Thanks guys.  I think the DR is the one I used a few years ago.

I'll have to continue looking into it.

ksks

[CRThomas]

I'm sneaking my way into retirement so doing some planning to have thing set up when I get there.

I know folks usually aren't up on electric splitters over gas. But, I had a chance to borrow an electric splitter a few years ago and it did well. I was splitting oak up to about one foot. For ones over one foot I cut a line in the piece before splitting it.

I would cut 2-3 cords per year, mostly oak.

What experience do folks have with electrics?

Thanks,

ks

I have a electric log splitter I built it. It is not slow let me resay that it's faster than me. The splitter has a five hp motor 220 volts single f. Three stage pump. Keep it inside in winter and out side in summer slitting all day about 6 to 8 dollars

[CRThomas]

Thanks guys.  I think the DR is the one I used a few years ago.

I'll have to continue looking into it.

ksks

log Splitters from Rockford Il make 20 ton electric log splitter that's what I built mine off there idea I have mine set up I pull the handle it's the pump on it goes up and splits returns to open and shut motor off while I am getting another chunk. I split all day but my splitter only runs while im splitting. I have to move it with my fork lift because it weighs little over 600 it's not on wheels.

[ksks]

Nice CR.  Wish I had your skill to build something like that!

[beenthere]

Nice CR.  Wish I had your skill to build something like that!

Would be nice to see a pic of the splitter that CR has...   ;)

[ksks]

Nice CR.  Wish I had your skill to build something like that!

Would be nice to see a pic of the splitter that CR has...   ;)

Good thing CR doesn't post his location.  It might just walk away!   :D

[CRThomas]

Go to Facebook raisin666@facebook.com check my operation out.

[Dave Shepard]

I think I would look at the flywheel type electric splitters, if I was going to go electric. They work well. brendonv has one, but I think it is gas.

[r.man]

I know of three that are in my area and the owners really like them. Two are in basements and do resplitting for furnaces and one gets used at a cottage. Not much that they won't split, can't really comment on speed because I haven't timed them. Saw one of them this morning and noticed it had a small four way head as well as the two. All three are the absolute cheapest thing on the market but work well.

[John Mc]

I've got a 16 ton electric splitter from RamSplitter

It's basically the same thing as their 16 ton gas engine splitter, but with a 2 HP electric motor. At the time, 16 ton was the biggest rating I could get, and still plug it into a standard 120 VAC outlet (you could get a 20 ton @ 120 VAC, but it would blow a normal 20 Amp circuit breaker under heavy load).  Since I bought mine, they have switched to a 1.5 HP motor for the 16 ton, and use a 2 HP for the 20 ton. I'm not sure what prompted the change, and whether the new-style 1.5 HP 16 ton really has the same splitting force as the older 2 HP 16 ton units.

It's worked out well for me, and was considerably less expensive than the SuperSplit I was really lusting after.

[doctorb]

I, too, have the Ramsplitter 16 ton.  No problems.

[CRThomas]

I'm sneaking my way into retirement so doing some planning to have thing set up when I get there.

I know folks usually aren't up on electric splitters over gas. But, I had a chance to borrow an electric splitter a few years ago and it did well. I was splitting oak up to about one foot. For ones over one foot I cut a line in the piece before splitting it. I built a 20 ton electric log splitter with a three stage pump and a 5 hp 220 motor on it but not do that agin I can buy one from log splitter cheaper.

I would cut 2-3 cords per year, mostly oak.

What experience do folks have with electrics?

Thanks,

ks

[CRThomas]

I'm sneaking my way into retirement so doing some planning to have thing set up when I get there.

I know folks usually aren't up on electric splitters over gas. But, I had a chance to borrow an electric splitter a few years ago and it did well. I was splitting oak up to about one foot. For ones over one foot I cut a line in the piece before splitting it. About retirement and firewood you buy a little piece of cheap stuff you will be moving to bigger stuff. I started off with a little cheap piece of junk. Now I have over $200.000.00 invested go to raisin666@facebook.com turned into. Firewood paid for every thing you see there. Don't make my mistake go ahead and make the jump. If your not planning on traveling with your splitter electric is the only way to go. People with gas splitters say they do it out in the wood to leave the mess my mess as they call it I bag and sell it or burn it in my kiln. When I split cherry the busted pieces I get $5.00 a bag I ain't going to leave that in the woods. With my electric I step on the pedal split take my foot off pedal it retracts shuts off I go get another chunk push pedal down. You can't do that with gas. I nice weather I move my splitter out side bad weather in side. I have a 220 plug in and out sides. My shop has heat and AC. Got to go find some trash wood fire in my kiln is getting low got make a pot off coffee a buddy drop by and he wont work with out coffee first it 0100 am my day is just starting I went to bed a 1700 got up 2330 later

I would cut 2-3 cords per year, mostly oak.

What experience do folks have with electrics?

Thanks,

ks

[John Mc]

I bought my Ramsplitter 16 ton horizontal/vertical electric splitter probably 6 or 7 years ago.  My thinking was that I'd cut my firewood out in the woods, and haul it back to behind my garage/barn to split.  I figured why keep another gas engine around to maintain when I could just plug in.

The plan did work, but it made a huge mess of bark and various random chunks of wood that were just too close to the barn, pond, zip line and water slide for my wife's taste (and I have to agree, it's not the greatest spot).

I've since found I much prefer to buck and split the wood trailside in the forest.  I drop a few trees, limb them, and pull them to the side of the nearest trail with the logging winch on my tractor. Then buck, split, and toss them into the trailer to haul back home.  Also a lot of my firewood is now cut from the community/cooperatively owned forest a few miles from my house that I'm part owner of. This means I bring out my generator and plug the splitter in to that most of the time, though I still do haul back the occasional load of unsplit rounds just to have nearby for when I get a bit of time to putter around the house.

Advantage of electric:

• Quiet (even when running off the generator it's a quieter for the operator, since I can move the gas engine further from the splitting area, which allows for normal conversation when splitting)
• no gas motor to maintain

Disadvantages:

• tougher to use in remote areas, since I have to bring a generator along.
  Need to protect the electric cord from falling chunks of wood
• Need to protect the electric cord from falling chunks of wood

The cycle time of this unit is identical to many gas-powered hydraulic wood splitters - about 11 or 12 seconds for a full cycle. It splits 99% of what I throw at it. The other 1% I may have to work at a bit, or I just section it with a chainsaw.

I bought the horizontal/vertical unit mainly for the fact that the working height when horizontal is much better for me than the lower-sitting horizontal-only unit. I've only used it vertical twice, and have found I'd rather just lift those big logs up than switch back and forth (that preference may change as I get older or get tired of paying for trips to the chiropractor).

[thecfarm]

Also depends on how big your wood is too. I would not want to pick up a piece of wood 2 feet across. I have ALOT left over from selling logs about that size.

[John Mc]

Yeah, I don't have much for 2 foot diameter logs lately. 18"-20" is on the big end of what I'm cutting, and the majority is in the 8" to 14" range.

If I were regularly doing a lot of 2 foot logs, a 16 ton hydraulic splitter (either electric or gas) is not what I'd be using.  I certainly would not be using one of those 6 or 7 ton electric splitters driven by a ball screw -- they can have their place, but splitting 2' diameter hard woods is not it.

[doctorb]

I agree with John Mc again.  Splitting near my barn does make a mess.  I have found that the best solution is to take an old beat up tarp, fold it over a few times until it's about 8 foot square, and roll the splitter right into the middle of that square.  Once I'm done splitting, roll the splitter off the tarp, pick up the pieces that I want for kindling, grab the four corners of the tarp, and empty it onto my "dreck pile", where such debris can degrade.  Saves lots of cleanup.

[Al_Smith]

I had a tiny little spitter given to me .Single stage 6 or 8 GPM pump probabley with a 5 HP gas engine.No engine so I adapted a 5 HP ( they lie ) 3450 RPM 240 volt motor which by amp draw is only about 2.8 HP .

Knife edge cutter ,no wedge ,goes through easy.I've split 3 feet diameter oak rounds with it . It's on loan now and has been for two years to my wifes cousin but I have split a lot of wood with it 

    

[jhellwig]

No engine so I adapted a 5 HP ( they lie ) 3450 RPM 240 volt motor which by amp draw is only about 2.8 HP .

Electric motors don't put out rated horse power till they are asked to.  If you load is only 2.8 horse then that is all it is going to make.

[Al_Smith]

Correct to a point .Let me rephrase what I said .

I erroniously stated amperage draw but should have stated name plate running amperage .According to a long establish rule it takes 746 watts of electrical power at 100 percent power factor to equate to 1 HP .This rule was long since established prior to the 46 years I have been an electrician so I have to believe it .

The name plate running amperage on the inexpensive electric motor I used on that splitter came out to 2.8 HP using that formula .So that's the way that tune came out .

[CRThomas]

I've got a 16 ton electric splitter from RamSplitter

It's basically the same thing as their 16 ton gas engine splitter, but with a 2 HP electric motor. At the time, 16 ton was the biggest rating I could get, and still plug it into a standard 120 VAC outlet (you could get a 20 ton @ 120 VAC, but it would blow a normal 20 Amp circuit breaker under heavy load).  Since I bought mine, they have switched to a 1.5 HP motor for the 16 ton, and use a 2 HP for the 20 ton. I'm not sure what prompted the change, and whether the new-style 1.5 HP 16 ton really has the same splitting force as the older 2 HP 16 ton units.

It's worked out well for me, and was considerably less expensive than the SuperSplit I was really lusting after.

If you are going to split at home ram splitter  220 3 hp is the cat s meow mm

[John Mc]

If you are going to split at home ram splitter  220 3 hp is the cat s meow mm

It would be nice, but then I'd need 220 extension cords, and a new outlet somewhere near where I was splitting.  It would also be tough to lend out to friends (though maybe that's an advantage, rather than a disadvantage?)

[jhellwig]

Correct to a point .Let me rephrase what I said .

I erroniously stated amperage draw but should have stated name plate running amperage .According to a long establish rule it takes 746 watts of electrical power at 100 percent power factor to equate to 1 HP .This rule was long since established prior to the 46 years I have been an electrician so I have to believe it .

The name plate running amperage on the inexpensive electric motor I used on that splitter came out to 2.8 HP using that formula .So that's the way that tune came out .

I never did think that formula was correct to for the application of motors.  As long as the amps and horsepower line up with the code book I would go by what it says.  I have used it but only for converting nameplates on motors that have no units of measure or a language that we use in the us.  You go a lot more years on me as being an electrician though.  I have only been doing it for 10 years but I do work on motors on a daily basis.

Edit:  I did find the correct formula.  It is ((((746/HP)/Volts)/Efficiency)/Power Factor)= Amps.  And don't forget that the nameplate voltage would be 115 230 or 460.  Not 120 240 or 480.

[Al_Smith]

Well it gets real goofy the way they rate HP .They must have about a zillion formulas .None the less even if you use my 746 Watts per and at approx 2.8 HP it still equates to about 5 HP gasoline .Now of course people will argue that which I very much expect . ;D Those who care to I didn't come up with that conversion factor ,someone else did .

[jhellwig]

I would guess that is why gas motors arent rated in horse power but gross torque now.

[John Mc]

I would guess that is why gas motors arent rated in horse power but gross torque now.

And here I figured they just made that switch to confuse us.

[CRThomas]

I would guess that is why gas motors arent rated in horse power but gross torque now.

And here I figured they just made that switch to confuse us.

if you go to to raisin666@facebook.com my site you can see my cherry 22 inch long and 3. 1/5 thick my electric will split them but it bends my rail. My electric has a 5 hp motor and a 3 stage pump. I built mine with help from Ram Splitter. The whole thing cost me around my wife figured it out yesterday $2300.00 when I move it it takes my fork lift to move it my 30 hp tractor won't pick it up. When I get home from a trip to chicago I put a picture of it on my face book. Later fellows

[Al_Smith]

No doubt if you used a variable displacement pump it would improve the performance greatly on electric just as it does using a gasoline engine .

With true 5HP electric that by itself is a pretty hefty set up .

[36 coupe]

I have a Speeco 6 ton electric splitter.It works fine, there are pieces it cant split. but I just set these aside.I would not own the type that requires both hands to operate.Constant stopping and starting an electric motor is hard on the starting switch and capacitors.You do need a free hand to hold some pieces on the splitter until the ram pushes the block against the wedge.You are better off behind the splitter because a block can pop off the side.Ive had a few pop off the far end on a hard split.The splitter is built to avoid pinch points.My son bought a load of tree length wood that had some big stuff so I bought the splitter.I know you can split wood with a maul but you can wreck your shoulder joint.My nephew did that splitting big rounds and couldnt do heavy work for 6 months after the operation to repair his shoulder.You can break blood vessels in your eye when the maul hits a block that dosent split.The shock will give you red eye.Ive have seen the 6 ton electric splitter for 200.00 on sale.Ive have used gas powered hydraulic splitters.I like my small 6 ton much better.You can split on a truck tail gate out doors on inside the wood shed.Use a #14 or #12 extension cord.Check the hydraulic oil level before using the splitter,mine was short filled by 12 oz of oil.Most people go nuts splitting wood, split wood burns faster and wood dries mostly thru the cut ends.Splitter weighs 100 pounds.As for splitters making a mess just clean up and put the chips in paper bags.Makes good kindling.

[CRThomas]

I'm sneaking my way into retirement so doing some planning to have thing set up when I get there.

I know folks usually aren't up on electric splitters over gas. But, I had a chance to borrow an electric splitter a few years ago and it did well. I was splitting oak up to about one foot. For ones over one foot I cut a line in the piece before splitting it.

I would cut 2-3 cords per year, mostly oak.

What experience do folks have with electrics?

Thanks,

ks

I have a 20 ton electric log splitter and a 4 hp electric chain saw I use them when I bring the logs to the yard Some people would get up set at the thought of electric Ram Splitter at Rockford IL make a great electric log splitter I built mine it is in my shop It is a 20 ton with a 5 hp motor and a 3 stage pump. I have Stihl chain saw when out in the wood 3 of them. But when I get the logs home I get the Sears Craftsman 4 hp 18 inch bar chain saw out it makes my nabors happy to. Electric ain't bad

[CRThomas]

I, too, have the Ramsplitter 16 ton.  No problems.

My 20 ton electric log splitter I have got up in knots and my rail will start to bend I have to stop and split from the other end but now I am running a 3 stage pump and a 5 hp 220 pump My buddy is going to rebuild my splitter with a bigger frame he is busy now building 3 goose neck trailers. so he's tied up now. My splitter was from Douges split at Rockford IL

[Al_Smith]

Revisting this thread that little splitter I electrified is working very well for my wifes cousin .He has it in his garage during winter .Does maybe a face cord at a time from his pile .

That thing will just about split anything you put in it .Maybe the crotch piece out of a tough old oak it would have a problem but that's where noodling with a chainsaw comes in handy .

So really an electric unit it just depends on the users needs .

[ksks]

Well, I'm back.

Kinda narrowing it down.  I'm looking at the Boss, either 7 or 8 ton.
The 8 ton has a dual action, you can split going either way.

I can't find any major complaints, although its hard to find much other than casual experiences.

The 8 ton does not have an automatic return, but you split both ways.  Might be a pain to have to keep your hand on the handle to manually draw it back fully all the time.???

Do you think you'd go with the splitting both ways, or auto return.

Thanks for all the comments so far.

http://www.boss-industrial.com/es7t20.php
http://www.boss-industrial.com/downloads/BOSS-ED8T20-Manual.pdf

[thecfarm]

Auto-Split both ways??    Do you have help? If you have some help,the both ways,splitting alone,than the auto.