Which Electric Log Splitter?

[zkurtb]

I'd like to pick up a log splitter for home use, splitting a few chords a year. Swinging a maul has lost it's luster and the years are progressing

All softwoods here, mostly pine and fir. I'm heavily leaning towards an electric splitter for budgetary reasons, the benefit of one less engine to maintain, reduced operating noise, and I don't need the portability of gas-operated. Actually, what I'd really like to do is build one of these, but until I can don the requisite beard I'll have to stick with something manufactured.

From poking around on-line, it appears an electric should do the job ok for our softwoods. My question is, which one? Here's a few in the 5-7 ton category, $300 to $400 range.

Homelite 5-ton
Earthquake 5-ton
Sun Joe Logger 5-ton
Task Force 5-ton
Harbor Freight 7-ton
Powerhouse 7-ton

The Powerhouse looks suspiciously like the HF splitter, however the Powerhouse is rated 3 HP vs 2 HP for the HF, so they're not quite the same.

While the first 5 listed above are rated 2 HP, and first 4 all state 15-amp, the Harbor Freight offering states 5.6 amp. Must be a misprint. Since 2 HP = 1492 watts = 12.4 amps at 120 volts, either the HF isn't 2 HP or the amp spec is wrong. The Powerhouse states 2200 watts which would be about right for 3 HP, but at over 18 amps (2200w/120v) it would need a special 20-amp circuit. Otherwise the Powerhouse would be hard to beat at 3 HP and free delivery for $400, if it's durable.

Curiously, the first 4 only get 5-ton out of 2 HP while HF gets 7-ton, and the Powerhouse needs 3 HP to get 7-ton. I understand the relationship of piston size, pump pressure, and cycle speeds in hydraulics, so it could be possible to get more force at a slower cycle speed. The first 4 state cycle times of 20 seconds, the Powerhouse states 15 seconds, and HF does not list a cycle time spec. There is a YouTube of the HF splitter here showing a log being split in about 11 seconds (not a full cycle).

Assuming the HF amp spec's a misprint and it is 2 HP , I'd consider getting it as 7-ton sounds better than 5-ton, if it has decent cycle time and is durable. Right now the website shows $419, with the 20% coupon it would be $336. I'd assume they are all Chinese -- what isn't these days -- but on the HF & Powerhouse the tires, at least, sure look more sturdy then the first 4.

Thoughts? Especially I'd like to hear from any that have the HF splitter...
Or, if you know of others that might be better than the above in this price range...

 

[tnmike]

I have a friend who bought the Task Force and loves it. Have you looked at the DR>?

 

[LD1]

I think reliability and durability is going to be about the same for all. So thats a wash IMO.

So now its just spec shopping.

The first 3 you listed were 20+ second cycle times. The taskforce lists 13 seconds. So wether thats a mis-print, or their calling a cycle just the extend time??? Who knows. But if it is indeed almost twice as fast as the other 5t units, thats the one to get. There are only 2 7t units. OF those, the HF dont list cycle time. But if it indeed has a smaller motor AND more tonnage, that means only ONE thing.....Slower.

So I'd say take your pick between the taskforce 5t and the powerhouse 7t.

Personally I like the taskforce just for the convience of it being at lowes.

 

[zkurtb]

LD1, thanks for the catch on Task Force cycle time, the spec is 13 seconds cycle, not 20. There are several videos of it on youtube as well, like this one. Comparing that video to the HF, the Task Force does seem to have a faster cycle time.

Although, 4-5 seconds will not make a huge difference to me. So durability, reliability, and strength are the main criteria.

Have you looked at the DR>?

The DR is $450 with shipping vs $316 including tax locally for the Task Force. Worth the $135 difference?

Then there is the Speeco 5-ton sold by TSC but no TSC nearby so $385 delivered.

Any owners of the HF and Task Force or others want to chime in?

 

[LD1]

I'd stick with the taskforce for the simple convience of them being sold at lowes.

You do have lowes in Idaho right??

 

[zkurtb]

We have Lowe's and HF reasonably nearby. So either product can be had from a storefront w/o shipping fees.

 

[Gary Farmall]

For the last 25 years we have used Osage Orange "HEDGE" for fire wood, we love the smell of the smoke when outside. My "QUESTION" is will these 5 ton log splitters SPLIT Osage Orange without jamming up?????? If not will the 7 ton 3HP Powerhouse do the job??????? can anyone help with these questions. The price of fire wood increased quite a bit here. For example $85.00 to $100.00 a rick, so I guess I'll cut my own.

 

[jeff9366]

Check out the Ryobi electric splitter on Youtube and in reviews at Home Depot. I have never seen such positive reviews.

 

[zkurtb]

Here is an owners review - who had both - comparing the Ryobi and Task Force. Yes, just one review. There are always a few defectives in any product. Overall on the 'net the Task Force seems to get good reviews.

 

[clemsonfor]

Go to Hearth.com and read in the Equiptment/gear section. there are a ton of members that have electric splitters. Many have gas and electric to split smaller and many in urban areas have electric. The consensus there seems to be the homelite ones, although i have read about Ryobi (think its the same as well as task force maybe diff covers and all).

That forum is a wood burners heaven. I like it here but we dont hold a candle to that place on firewood issues.

Anyway i looked into gettin one, but the mandatory, unless you mod it, 2 handed operation i did not like. YOu must press a button with one hand and then the cycle button with the other to run it. Also the long cycle times i did not like. I decided to just borrow a friends gas one when needed and then help with maintenence items and such when needed. But its a guy i work with and we borrow from each other and i help him around the house when he needs it so its not like i feel bad borrowing it. I also gave him a motor off my old pressure washer for his tiller that needed one. So its not like just some random friend i borrow from.

Anyway, most folks say that they have notrouble even splitting oak and other hardwoods so i think any soft wood will be easy.