This is the first splitter I have ever used. All my life it has been a 6 or 8 lb maul, hammer, and wedges. When I started looking for a splitter and saw they went from 12 to 37 ton, I had no clue what I needed. So when I got this one last spring I put a pressure gauge on it out of curiousity. To my surprise most of my 18" hardwood splits easily at 6 ton or less. I have not yet seen it go up to anywhere near the full 3000 psi ( 22 ton ) on a piece of wood I was trying to split in a sensible manner. Maybe it's from all the years of using a maul that I can read where the chink is in a block of wood ??
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/owning-operating/373114-todays-seat-time-splitterpressuregauge-jpg"/>
I bought it used. The hitch and flimsey kick stand were mangled up. I put on a good hitch and one of those cheap jack stands from TSC which works very well and is easier on my back. There is quite a bit of tongue weight to be dealing with the kick stand. As far as I know the ram is original.
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/owning-operating/373116-todays-seat-time-jackweldmnt1-jpg"/>
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/owning-operating/373117-todays-seat-time-jackextended-jpg"/>
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/owning-operating/373118-todays-seat-time-jacktravelposition-jpg"/>
It is the older model so the little table they have for sale won't go on it. So I made a table with plywood and a 1/16" skin.
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/owning-operating/373119-todays-seat-time-splittingtable1-jpg"/>
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/owning-operating/373120-todays-seat-time-splittingtable2-jpg"/>
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/owning-operating/373121-todays-seat-time-splittingtable3-jpg"/>
Next I want to put an easily adjustable stop on it. It's in the thinking stage so I am open for suggestions.