Log splitter buying ?

pinetree10 · Dec 19, 2014

Congratulations on your purchase.

For what it's worth, I have no regrets with my Wallenstein. I don't use it very often but it came with a 4-way wedge that slips on and off the single wedge and the Honda engine that came with it starts easier than any other engine I've ever started. It wasn't an inexpensive purchase but I'm sure it will last the rest of my life and the next guy's too. I've run pine, maple, oak, and cherry through it and the two-stage works great. Have fun with your new splitter.

TomSeller · Dec 19, 2014

sdef said:
Me too. My local store has one assembled on display. I am waiting for it to come down in price below the current $1899 (plus a $100 gift card on top of it). I like the engine guard, the GX 200 cc Honda engine with auto. idle control, the 8.5 gallon oil reservoir, the strong log table and the tongue jack with large wheel.

Second choice is a Dirty Hand Tools 28 ton or 35 ton, but they will have to be quite a bit less expensive than the Northstar.

Right, it is hard to beat that Northstar splitter, particularly with the GX Honda engine. No equals to the GX line of gas engines.

crazyal · Dec 20, 2014

I've got one of the MTD splitters. It's the 27 ton from Lowes with a Honda on it. Had it over 10 years now and the only problem I had was the lovejoy connector between the engine and pump sheered it's "teeth". But It was more my fault as the dampener between the connector started to break apart and I didn't immediately stop. I do skid logs and found that the dirt can be a problem. I tend to cut so that the dirt is on the side of the log where the chain exits.

Ken45101 · Dec 20, 2014

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I have a 3 pt mount Timberwolf TW3-HD. The 3pt is a major drawback for when something else is on the tractor (e.g. bush hog) and you want to split for an hour or two.

HOWEVER, once I get the beast hooked up, it sure does a wonderful job! Mine has the 4 way wedge and that really cuts down on rework. I am in the process of building a 6 way wedge (Timberwolf offers a 6 way as an option but the cost is ridiculous.)

The other major feature I love is that the wedge is fixed, the pusher moves on the cylinder. Why is this so good? #1 if a piece doesn't split all the way or gets stuck, you do not have to wrestle it loose. Just let the next piece push it through! #2 it drops the splits beyond the end of the splitter, not at your feet where they get in your way.

I have even raised up the end of the splitter on the 3 point so that the splits go right into the pickup truck bed

Try that with a stand alone splitter with the wedge on the ram!

I have yet to find anything that the Timberwolf won't split, no matter how gnarly, knotty or twisted the log is.

TomSeller · Dec 20, 2014

Ken45101 said:
The other major feature I love is that the wedge is fixed, the pusher moves on the cylinder. Why is this so good? #1 if a piece doesn't split all the way or gets stuck, you do not have to wrestle it loose. Just let the next piece push it through! #2 it drops the splits beyond the end of the splitter, not at your feet where they get in your way.
.

Very nice for horizontal splitting. Not so much for vertical.

Ken45101 · Dec 21, 2014

TomSeller said:
Very nice for horizontal splitting. Not so much for vertical.

True, but I very, very rarely used the standalone in a vertical position. It just didn't work well trying to move and position big rounds by myself.

On the 3pt splitter, I added a Harbor Freight truck crane and winch for retrieving and lifting the big rounds. That's a slow process. I've come to the conclusion that I don't really like the super big rounds, I'd prefer to keep stuff in the 14-16" max range.

almost13ranch · Dec 24, 2014

Well, this is a long thread, but I still want to put in my $0.02. I was looking at a TPH splitter because of the cost. Even at a higher engine speed, there's no load on the engine until you actually move the splitter handle. I'm not sure there's a huge amount of fuel usage, is my point. What I did do was find an old splitter from a guy that was selling out and moving to Arizona. By old, I mean the frame was old. It had a brand new engine, pump and cylinder. I added a larger oil tank that I made from an air tank off of a big truck and a hydraulic filter. I'm glad I went this was because I use the FEL to lift big rounds and stack as I split in the bucket to move it to the pile. I only gave $500 for the splitter and have about $50 more in the tank and filter.

Dead Horse · Dec 25, 2014

I often set my TPH splitter on a couple of large rounds in the cutting yard. (heavy bastage, no one is gonna steal it, for sure!) and when I want to do some splitting, sidle up to the hydraulics end of it with the tractor. The hyd hoses on the splitter are long enough so even with a bush hog or other implement on the lift, I can attach the splitter hosed to the quick disconnects on the tractor.

I also have remote hyd lines on the back of my F 350 Franken-truck and can run the splitter from that unit too, just tossing the split wood into the dump body. I have a wheel set I have been meaning to rig up to the splitter. With a pintle hitch on the other end of the splitter, it can follow the truck around, OR be attached to the TPH on either of two tractors I use for fire wood chores.

The set up is versatile, reliable and simple. to each their own. BTW, I am VERY happy with this years fire wood crop..... Nice and dry, lights like paper and burns hot and long. Well seasoned wood is definitely worth the wait!

Dead Horse · Dec 25, 2014

I often set my TPH splitter on a couple of large rounds in the cutting yard. (heavy bastage, no one is gonna steal it, for sure!) and when I want to do some splitting, sidle up to the hydraulics end of it with the tractor. The hyd hoses on the splitter are long enough so even with a bush hog or other implement on the lift, I can attach the splitter hosed to the quick disconnects on the tractor.

I also have remote hyd lines on the back of my F 350 Franken-truck and can run the splitter from that unit too, just tossing the split wood into the dump body. I have a wheel set I have been meaning to rig up to the splitter. With a pintle hitch on the other end of the splitter, it can follow the truck around, OR be attached to the TPH on either of two tractors I use for fire wood chores.

The set up is versatile, reliable and simple. to each their own. BTW, I am VERY happy with this years fire wood crop..... Nice and dry, lights like paper and burns hot and long. Well seasoned wood is definitely worth the wait!