I'd love to own an electric Super Split someday. I bought a splitter this spring, so it'll be a while before I can justify another one, but they seem like the cat's meow for some stuff. I hate to question you, but 2 full cords on an hour? I've heard other super split guys say that they can do over a cord an hour with a helper, but 2 is crazy. Got any videos?
We really have to question what we see online, you are right, I should rein in my claim a bit here. No one can split 2 cords an hour by themselves on this machine. No one. It takes a good team. 1 quick wood pile picker, 2 wheel barrow runners, (or conveyor) and myself operating the splitter with the production table option. With this setup, we can absolutely put out 2 cords an hour of 16" long maple rounds that have an average diameter of 8" to 24" with some smaller and larger on occasion. Once we mastered the rhythm of the machine, it could wear all 4 of us out, splitting as fast as my hands can move rounds. The point I realized is that the machine is no longer the speed limitation, it is the operator. I do not have a video of this, but maybe its time this next season to show it off. Now, with just myself splitting, trying to go as fast as I can, is a bit dangerous with this machine. Knowing that, but also knowing if I really need all my wood split quickly, that it can be done with what I've already got, there is less pressure. I find myself now leisurely going out for half an hour and splitting a face cord in peace and quite. That is where I enjoy the machine the most, not going for speed, just........... :cloud9:
It's got a few quirks. Doesn't like real wet conditions as wood grim will collect on one of the rollers and stop up the recoil, just needs to be scrapped every so often. the production table option is an absolute must, so more cost added. There's usually a bit of a wait when purchasing, 4 weeks for mine. Their is some assembly required when it arrives, like mounting the motor and a few other bits. There is room for improvement on the engagement lever, if the lockdown nut isn't just right, it will disengage very easily. The parts diagram looks like it was made in Microsoft paint, 20 years ago. But all the parts are available. And their website looks pretty tacky/gimmicky IMO. But these are all minor things. The machine is solid and very well made.
Maybe 10 years ago, at the Common Ground Fair in Unity Maine, the first time I saw the supersplit, I remember scoffing at it. "but does it have enough power to split the wood sideways" I remember saying, condescendingly, to the guy showing the machine. My own words still make me cringe every time I think about it. If that fellow happens to be around the forums, I apologize for that. After the fair, I started to notice the splitter online. Youtube became popular and I started to see videos of it too, and I warmed up to the idea. I started learning about busses that used large flywheels to help power up hills, extra large flywheels on old tractors to get the very most out of small engines, and large flywheels for general energy storage. I even looked at fabricating a kinetic splitter myself, I happened on a fine job for a while, so I purchased one.
I guess a telltail for the supersplit would be to try and find a used one for sale.