Log splitter followed me home

[Magicman]

It looks like the lugs are simply welded to the sides of the cylinder--is that right?   Tim

Correct, a lug on each side.

[Magicman]

Do you guy's with this model find the cycle time slow?    I have the same model and size as Magicman except probably a year or 2 older.   I don't have that red shield on top of mine.   I find the cycle time to be painfully slow.

I had previously read your concerns about the speed, but this one operates plenty fast.  As others suggested, I would think that you have a stuck valve in your hydraulic pump.  (assuming that it is a two stage pump)  Mine is fast until it contacts the log, then it slows down into it's "power stroke".  Retraction is also plenty fast.

That red shield is the "log-getter-offer".   :D  If the wedge is stuck in the log, it contacts this shield when the ram is retracted, removing the wedge from the log.

[beenthere]

...............
That red shield is the "log-getter-offer".   :D  If the wedge is stuck in the log, it contacts this shield when the ram is retracted, removing the wedge from the log.

With hopefully no skin or finger bones in that contact zone.  ;D

[pigman]

With hopefully no skin or finger bones in that contact zone.

Sounds like someone that learned the hard way.

[stonebroke]

you only do it once.

Stonebroke

[Magicman]

Sounds like someone that learned the hard way.

Sometimes experience is a very painful teacher..... smiley_dunce     

[indiaxman1]

leather gloves....standard equipment...keeps mashed digets attached

[Magicman]

The worst splitting accident that I have ever witnessed happened in my backyard after Katrina.  A stick of firewood being split "adjusted" itself.  When we got back from the hospital after being sewed up, we turned his glove inside out.......yup, 1/3 of his finger was still inside....mashed flat, but still inside.  He now only has to clip 9 fingernails.

[pigman]

He now only has to clip 9 fingernails

That is what I call looking at the positive side of a negative situation.

[DaveP]

     I am thinking of buying a log splitter and am interested in a TROYBUILT.  I see that the hydraulic oil compacity is only three gallons.  Is this enough?  Also, in reading reviews there complaints about the log cradles breaking off.  Is this a serious problem?

[mad murdock]

Nice looking splitter MM.  Does the splitter swing vertical? The guys where I work, some time ago, got together a bunch of scrap and fabbed a home made splitter that can swing vertical. It's nice not to have to lift those big knotty rounds up to the rail to split them, just slide them under the wedge and go for it.

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

Sounds like someone that learned the hard way.

Sometimes experience is a very painful teacher..... smiley_dunce     

Amen!

Herb

[Magicman]

     I am thinking of buying a log splitter and am interested in a TROYBUILT.  I see that the hydraulic oil compacity is only three gallons.  Is this enough?  Also, in reading reviews there complaints about the log cradles breaking off.  Is this a serious problem?

No problem with the oil capacity.  The log cradles are attached with self-tapping screws.  Most of mine had already been replaced with bolts and lock nuts.  This is one bad machine.  I haven't found anything yet that it won't split.

[Magicman]

Nice looking splitter MM.  Does the splitter swing vertical?

Yes, horizontal and vertical.  I'd hate to think that I had to pick up some of those 24"+  sticks that I have split.... ;)

[DR Buck]

....... I have the same model and size as Magicman except probably a year or 2 older.   I don't have that red shield on top of mine.   ..............

Ooops!   I should look closer at my toys tools.  I do have the same model, it even has the red thingy to unstick the log.  :

[Magicman]

Did you find your "slow" problem?

[captain_crunch]

M_M
Don't know about you but me slow problem has to do with AGE ;D ;D Kinda like if I thought I was gonna live this long I would have been more carefull when younger >:( >:(

[trapper]

I have an old splitter my fatherin law made probably 30 years ago.  I am ignorant when it comes to hydraulics.  How do i tell if it has a 2 stage pump.  I dont see any markings on the pump.  If it is a 2 stage pump it is stuck in the first stage.  He replaced the pump just before i got it when we bought the place 16 years ago.  He  hadnt used it after replacing the pump and i had to raise the hydraulic tank because the new pump needed to feed by gravity.   also I need to change the valve to one with a detent in the return (easier than getting wife to run the valve).  He is no longer with us to ask questions. I need to get it working right as I have a tree trimmer bringing me some pretty big peices of stringy wood.  Might be easiest to replace the pump with a new 2 stage but i am cheap. Also most of the new lower priced splitters only open to 25 inches and i cut my wood to 30 inches.

[Magicman]

This morning before it got too hot, I decided to finish up that old Red Oak that fell last June.  Since this is the only log splitter that I have ever used, I'm still amazed at the strength that it has and what it will do to a 20" block.  When the wedge reached the wood it just slows down, and I guess starts building up pressure.  Then POP, another one bites the dust.        Anyway, I finished splitting that old tree up.  This is probably enough for me, but I also furnish my BIL with firewood.  This wood is already seasoned quite well.    ;)

[stonebroke]

Thats the second stage kicking in.

Stonebroke

[Magicman]

I got it stacked today.  It was a bit over 2 face cords.  I'm going to love my new covered wood shed.   

[ljmathias]

Looks pretty- should be a great place for the powder post beetles to nest.  Be careful though- you pack in too much wood and you won't have anyplace to burn... oops, I mean cook... chickens in.

Lj

[Magicman]

Yup, that's also the "chicken cookin shed".    ;)

[toxedo_2000]

See next

[toxedo_2000]

If that could help you folks, here are few things I made that help a lot when comes the time to make firewood.

[img width=500 --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--/img46/6012/supportbillot1.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--/img41/6258/supportbillot3.jpg[/img]

This rack make the sawing faster, and the chainsaw is not running all the time. In that rack, you pile 4 feet logs and make 2 cuts. That gives 16 inches firewood in less that a minute.

[img width=500 --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--/img42/6530/guidebuche2.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--/img695/6858/guidebuche3.jpg[/img]

It can be used for making the little wood to start fire

[img width=500 --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--/img338/5021/guidebuche5.jpg[/img]

Now, the other thing that save a lot of piling time. I stack the firewood on pallets' and put it under cover to let it dry. When it is ready to bring it in the basement, I dont have to pile it again. I just transport the pallets  8)

[img width=500 --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--/img248/5805/palette1.jpg[/img]

Hope that gave you some ideas to save time

Toxedo