What is the best log splitter for small farm work?

[Cowgirl in boots]

My boyfriend is looking for opinions from the pros here (he is not much of a computer whiz).

Could anyone give me some tips or suggestions on which log splitter would work best for him?  We just have a small farm with a lot of trees down from a storm and he wants to buy a log splitter.  He is looking at a 22 ton splitter at Lowe's, but any suggestions?

Thanks!

[beenthere]

Way too many variations and variables to consider for an answer to that question.

I have an 8hp horizontal splitter that will not convert to vertical. Don't find there is a need to have more or less.

It isn't the splitter that will make much difference. It is the gumption to get the job done in time to have a year or two supply of split wood seasoning before it is needed for heat (hope he is good at that !! )  ;D

Go for the one at Lowe's and if something better comes along after getting experience with the Lowe's, sell it and buy a different one. just sayin............  good luck.

There are prolly much better replies a-coming from others.  ;)

[Cowgirl in boots]

Beenthere, thanks.  I understand that is a pretty vague question that I asked, but I know absolutely nothing about it, other than I like a fire in the fireplace.   ;D   I'll pass on your recommendation to him.  Thanks for the reply!

[Ron Scott]

The Husky splutters from Tractor Supply seem to do well for the small farm or home owner.

[Hilltop366]

Many of the splitters have off shore engines on them and a lot of people have good luck with them, If your looking to get one splitter that will last for years with a lot of use look to a name brand engine.

Honda is the brand I would be looking for myself, I haven't heard anything bad about Subaru but no first hand experience.

[trapper]

speeco and husky are made by the same company.

[treeslayer2003]

there all pretty similar, i prefer one with the wedge on the beam instead of on the cylinder, but some may like the other way round. i would look for a horizontal about waist high, i hate bending over.

[goose63]

my old splitter

  with a small A T V winch I'm to old to pick up the big one's

  when I wore the old one out wife got me a new one it has a Honda engine and I put the winch on it

[thecfarm]

I myself would buy one that splits either horizontal or vertical. I think most do at most of the big box stores. And most come at the same height. I brought one that has 26 ton of splitting power. I never used the vertical way until I got an OWB and needed to split some big pine. If you don't need it,than don't use it,but it might come in handy no matter what. Even if I am splitting pine that I just cut and splitting it to burn the same day. 

[Cowgirl in boots]

Thank you ALL so much for your advice & the pics also.  I can't wait to show him what you've shared!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[g_man]

I have one of those very popular 22 ton splitters. It is an older one and has split a lot of wood. I also like the horizontal/vertical option. Hard to beat these splitters for the money.

Very big blocks I split vertically to sizes I can handle.



 

Most blocks I just use horizontal. I let the tractor do the lifting and toss it into a roughly stacked pile or into a trailer off the splitter.



 

gg

[wfcjr]

Timberwolf.   Made right in the USA in Rutland VT.

[mad murdock]

You say "small farm", what does that signify? What type and size of wood do you typically use as firewood?  For us, we have a small tree farm(40 acres), and heat with wood( doug fir, big leaf maple, madrone, alder), and have used large hydraulic (gas powered) and hand split with maul/axes. I prefer the axe, but we recently purchased a 6 ton electric splitter (bluehawk sold at lowes), and are honestly amazed and surprised at its ease of use performance and overall function. I was realy skeptical, but it is nice to use something quiet, and fairly fast on the cycle. We were a bit out of reach of an outlet, so we used a generator and with a heavier long cord kept that noise at a distance from out work area and it was really the most enjoyable time I have had splitting firewood for soem time. It was 299 new.

[Cowgirl in boots]

Thank you all again so much.  I showed your replies to him and he was really appreciative.

mad murdock, we have 100 acres of primarily oak trees.  We had a storm come through this past spring and blew down at least 100 large oaks.  Our property almost looks like it's been timbered.

Thank you everyone!  I think he is going to head to Lowe's for the 22 ton and go from there. 

[leeroyjd]

Be careful with those blowdowns!

[rjwoelk]

I would go with the vertical/horizontal and able to do a 4 way split, we built our own and put a 4 way on it ,much better, get the job done faster, just need to have a good size cylinder on it.

[chester_tree _farmah]

I was peeking at the $999 22 ton splitter at Tractor Supply. I am finally going to retire the maul this fall. I have to split enough for two homes now. It is the same one most of you guys are talking about that is made by Huskee?

Thanks

[pineywoods]

we have 100 acres of primarily oak trees.  We had a storm come through this past spring and blew down at least 100 large oaks.  Our property almost looks like it's been timbered.

I'm right across the state line in north La. Sounds like the same storm that took down a bunch of nice oaks for me, that I still haven't stated cleaning up.

[SAnVA]

Please do yourself a favor and spend the extra money to get a decent splitter now, buy one that will split either vertically or horizontal and please buy one with a horizontal shaft HONDA engine, preferably their better engine (red & white) you will be so much happier in the long run. Hondas are very reliable, quiet, and have the easy start pull start , I believe my 3 yr. old grandson could probably start mine, that easy to pull! If you have a Northern store around you they sell some pretty nice ones equipped with the good Honda engine for around $1600, good luck!

[OH logger]

I am a firm believer in timberwolfs so I would suggest one of those even if you opt for the smaller model. they are top notch quality. my buddy has a husky and it is in the shop more than the woods. most of the time its the motor, I think it has a Tecumseh. junk. you get what you pay for and you will get years of use and hundreds if not thousands of cords through a timberwolf and still have something in the end.

[Maine logger88]

I agree on the timber wolf I have a tw2 that has served me well for years!

[John Mc]

I am a firm believer in timberwolfs so I would suggest one of those even if you opt for the smaller model. they are top notch quality. my buddy has a husky and it is in the shop more than the woods. most of the time its the motor, I think it has a Tecumseh. junk. you get what you pay for and you will get years of use and hundreds if not thousands of cords through a timberwolf and still have something in the end.

Tecumseh engines have not been made in a while, I believe.

[Maine logger88]

That's no big loss

[Kbeitz]

Today the only way I would go is with a flywheel splitter...
Small engine and very fast...

[timberlinetree]

Maybe a used one off Craig's list?

[goose63]

Today the only way I would go is with a flywheel splitter...
Small engine and very fast...

Not me I like my fingers still on my hand not on the ground

[IndianaJoe]

I bought a 30 ton black diamond with a 6.5 H.P. kohler, and a two stage pump from rural king. When I hit a tough knot the second stage on the pump kicks in and drives right through it. For $1300  I think it was a great deal. I would not go with anything smaller.

[Ox]

After using hydraulic splitters and splitting hundreds of face cords of firewood in my life by hand and seeing the flywheel and rack and pinion splitters, I would go with the flywheel and rack splitter.  Using inertia and spinning mass is always more efficient.  I wouldn't be holding down any firewood when it's splitting though.  I like all ten of my fingers, too.

[LeeB]

I don't know how much fire wood you use, but it's cheap in Arkansas. You can buy many a load for the price of the splitter if it's not something you will use all the time. If you heat with wood it might be a worthwhile purchase. If you only burn a few sticks in the fire place you might consider just having it delivered. The firewood boys will be happy to cut up your downed trees for the wood and you should be able to work a deal with one of them.

[redprospector]

I had one of the 22 ton $999.00 Huskee splitters from Tractor Supply a few years ago. I had nothing but trouble out of it. In my opinion the warranty isn't worth the paper it's written on.
I sold it to my neighbor at about $150 loss just to get rid of it. After the 2nd year he owned it he's got it where it will work pretty good. He wound up putting a new engine, pump, and valve on it. But it does still have the original hydraulic cylinder, and hydraulic tank.  :D
Remember, you don't always get what you pay for. But you'll always pay for what you get.

[Warped]

Craigslist, love it! But there's two things I could never score a decent deal on, ice auger and a wood splitter. I bought the 27 ton Troy-Bilt with the Honda 6.5. Works great but sometimes wished it had a little more.
     My buddy bought the Cub Cadet....same exact thing, different paint, same as the Yardman. AYP makes a lot of these things and paints them to order, especially lawn tractors. My Husqvarna yt18542 and Craftsman lt1000 are identical (husq. has a drink holder and roller on front of mowing deck, $100 more though new).
     Also note, these box store units are not made for highway towing, they have plastic wheel bushings just like the lawn tractors. I have to load it on a snowmobile trailer for road travel (great excuse not to loan it out ;D)
     I feel it was worth the money, but I often just grab my Chopper one axe and got to town, like the face cord I did yesterday, wasn't worth uncovering the splitter and chasing gas from the garage. I can easily out split the Troy-Bilt........in the short run :D
     The splitter was $1,249, filled out the charge card app for 10% off, threw the card away.......
  TSC carries Huskee, not bad units, just feel I got more buck bang at SLowes.

One last thing, think I'd prefer the wedge not be on the ram rod, rather the splits drop in the front loader, and not land on the engine, which I built a box tube platform that also works good for staging logs while splitting.

I still do look at Timberwolfs, very tempting.

[47sawdust]

I used a hydraulic splitter for 30 years ,3 years ago I bought a Supersplitter.I would not go back to hydraulic.My tractor loader is my log lifter for large pieces.I cut all my own logs,seldom anything over 20''.Go with the original if you buy ,the others are no comparison.
Yes they are fast and could be seen as dangerous but all machinery should be run with respect and a clear mind.

[John Mc]

... One last thing, think I'd prefer the wedge not be on the ram rod, rather the splits drop in the front loader, and not land on the engine, which I built a box tube platform that also works good for staging logs while splitting.

Every splitter I have seen that is convertible from horizontal to vertical has the wedge on the ram. If they didn't, they'd be trying to push the log into the ground when in vertical mode.

I agree, I'd rather have the wedge stationary and push the logs off the end. The split logs stay out of your way, and you have some interesting options for out feed: I've seem someone rig a plastic culvert split lengthwise to catch the split logs. As the next log gets split, it pushes the previous one along the  culvert - he had the other end of the culvert in the back of his pickup. With a little jockeying around, it was self-loading.

The one place where wedge on the ram is an advantage is when you need to re-split logs. They stay right there when re-split. You can just hold them, or add a cradle to catch them. A quick twist, and they are ready for the second split.

[Warped]

Very good points John. There's a guy on youtube who made a conveyor to his truck bed with an exercise jogging machine, but who would ever want to give up their jogging mill given how much they get used? Then I'd have to install a new clothes rack! :D

[John Mc]

Very good points John. There's a guy on youtube who made a conveyor to his truck bed with an exercise jogging machine, but who would ever want to give up their jogging mill given how much they get used? Then I'd have to install a new clothes rack! :D

We call the collection of equipment in our basement "the Exercise Museum". We've got some great specimens - many in like new condition.

[Warped]

 :D :D :D :D

[thecfarm]

Kinda like tractors or chainsaws. Need a small one to do the light work and need a big one to do the heavy work. At this time I only have one wood splitter,but have 2 tractors and 2 chainsaws.  ;D

[WV Mountaineer]

I just bought a 22 ton County Line splitter from Home Depot.  They replaced the Husky line.  there was nothing wrong with the Husky line except the Briggs and Stratton motors.  And, I'm not sure how much of that was the motor since they seemed to be kept outside, uncovered while at the store.  Most all complaints I read about the husky line was the fact that water was/had gotten into the engine.  The new splitters are basically the same but, have a Kohler engine and at my store at least, aren't being assembled until they are purchased.  So, they have addressed the water issue evidently.

Mine starts well and has split everything I wanted upto 25-26 inch round white oak at half throttle.  So, it does well. , It splits vertically and horizontally both.  And cost $999.  It is no timberline but, it was half the cost.

I don't know if he has gotten one yet but, make sure the one he buys wasn't stored in the weather uncovered and, is not an electric type.  Eastern hardwoods and western conifers are two different things.  You need something besides electric power to reliably split what he is talking about.  Good luck and God Bless 

[John Mc]

I don't know if he has gotten one yet but, make sure the one he buys wasn't stored in the weather uncovered and, is not an electric type.  Eastern hardwoods and western conifers are two different things.  You need something besides electric power to reliably split what he is talking about.

I've had no trouble with the 16 ton electric splitter I own, and I'm splitting eastern hardwoods. The 20"+ stuff I split on it is a bit big for it, but it handles it OK. Generally, I'm splitting 16" and under anyway, and it handles that with no problem.

On the other hand, this is basically a 6HP gas hydraulic splitter that happens to have a 2HP electri motor instead of the gas engine (and yes, a 2HP electric will easily match a 6HP gas engine in this application). I got it because I didn't want another gas engine to maintain, and I figured I'd be doing all my splitting right near my garage. (As it turns out, I should have gotten a gas splitter, since I end up doing a lot of splitting out in the woods - which requires bringing along a generator).

Those 4 or 5 ton electric splitters that are driven by a ball screw are another story entirely. They may have their place: some people re-split wood to smaller sizes right in their house and I guess it's handy for that. They are not really suited as a primary splitter, IMO.

[chester_tree _farmah]

I ended up pulling the trigger on the 22 ton at TSC. It was even on sale for 950. Works great. I love it so far.

[mf40diesel]

While it's not made in the States, my old man and I have been extremely happy with the Splitfire splitter that we have.  (Made in Canada) Ours is a 3pt hitch model, I can't recall the tonnage rating, but its a beast.  What I like about it, is that is splits in both directions, the knife/wedge, is attached to the ram and travels back and forth.  With one person running the lever and at least one other person feeding it with wood, you can really charge through a pile quickly.

Last I knew they had three variations,  3pt hich, so you need the tractor's hydraulics.... cheaper, and one less engine to maintain.  Then they offered two engine models, the cheaper Briggs and Stratton, and then the more expensive Honda.

Of course there are a few tonnage options too.  We have had ours for about 10 years and it is split many many cords of fire wood.

[Bay Beagle]

If You have a tractor with hydraulic remote, I'd look @ those. I'm not a fan of gasoline engines - down time plays hell on the gas and carburetor ..... I use a KELLY 3 point, welded a platform tray to catch the split woods - running for 20+ years. Big stuff, I just let it down to ground level, and roll the log on.  Splitfire makes a 3 point, that splits on forward and return strokes.  Both splitters are priced under $1200 US.
If You have a loader w/hydraulics (either to the plate, or remotes) is another option for tractor use

   

 

[Hermio]

After renting a number of gasoline engine powered splitters, I decided I did not like the heat, noise and fumes. So, I went out and bought a 20 ton Ramsplitter, which is powered by a 3 Hp electric motor. It obviously cannot go into the woods, as it requires 220 volt power. But since a 3 Hp electric motor delivers 6 Hp intermittently, it has plenty of power. So far, it has been able to split anything the 25 ton rental splitters can split. It has a more acute wedge geometry to allow this. It is much cooler, quieter and lower maintenance than gas models. I am glad I got it.

[HiTech]

My first wood splitter was a "Go Devil", it worked good once you got the hang of it. lol Then I made one, still have and use and then bought a 3 pt. hitch one...seldom use. In the meantime I bought a "Monster Maul" and still use that to some extent.

[Woodhauler]

I have a Iron/Oak 30 ton fast cycle splitter with the 4 way wedge, very good splitter ! I split 22 inch wood , some so big I use my log loader to set it on!

[SawDust75]

I love my Swisher 28-Ton Vert/Horizontal splitter. Splits better than a gymnist!

[tlbrooks]

the  3 point hitch splitter from tsc is a decent splitter for the money. I got mine for about 700 dollars on sale.i made the wedge about 6 inches taller and now it splits big stuff better.

[SineWave]

I have not read the thread, and I have no basis for comparison, since I have only ever used one log splitter, in total, in my life, but the 22-ton log splitter I got at Tractor Supply ($900 with a 10% off coupon) has handily split everything I have thrown at it, including some pretty knotty white oak stumps. The reviews I read on the TSC website looked pretty good, and the consensus seems to be that you don't need anything bigger than 22 ton...

[ga jones]

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