Log splitter 4 point wedge

[Sawyer Rob]

Maybe you could show us some pics of your design. And videos in action.

I don't have a design, I have a Timberwolf, and their design is just fine, it works VERY good for me, or who ever has used it here. BUT, none of us are firewood snobs either, and our woodstoves don't complain to us.

Timberwolf probably has vids, I have no idea about that.

SR

 

[ovrszd]

I don't have a design, I have a Timberwolf, and their design is just fine, it works VERY good for me, or who ever has used it here. BUT, none of us are firewood snobs either, and our woodstoves don't complain to us.

Timberwolf probably has vids, I have no idea about that.

SR

Do you have any pics of your wedge? Someone might be able to use the pics to build one similar.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Do you have any pics of your wedge? Someone might be able to use the pics to build one similar.

Sure, but it's in just about every splitter pict. I post, as I push everything through the 4-way! Another thing that's nice about that design, it doesn't spit splits at you!

There's a better pict. for you...

SR

 

[LD1]

It's not a matter of mine being a bad design.

It's just reality kudos to you for not having more kindling splints than you desire.

But everyone else that uses a fixed 4-way knows exactly what I'm trying to say

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Well, if it made as much as yours, then I wouldn't want it either...

Bcket loads? No thanks!

A pail full, I'm just fine with that.

SR

 

[4570Man]

Well, if it made as much as yours, then I wouldn't want it either...

Bcket loads? No thanks!

A pail full, I'm just fine with that.

SR

I don’t think you realize how much scrap you’re actually making. Cut and split a load on a concrete pad like I work on and shovel it up. Between the saw chips, the bark that falls off, and the 4 way scrap I haul off a dump truck load or more a year.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I don’t think you realize how much scrap you’re actually making. Cut and split a load on a concrete pad like I work on and shovel it up. Between the saw chips, the bark that falls off, and the 4 way scrap I haul off a dump truck load or more a year.

Well, I have a table grate, so yes, I get bark, saw chips and dirt, but that's not the fault of the 4-way.

As for the "kindling" from the 4-way, that amounts to about a pail for every BIG load (1-1/2 to 2 two cords per load) I split, and that's far from "tractor bucket loads" for 10 cords. I'll be generous and call it one pail of kindling per cord.

I know this, because I or the guy I'm splitting with shovels the trash up and puts it in the garden, along with the saw chips from cutting over my wagon or trailers.

SR

 

[dodge man]

Sawyer Robs picture looks like it would work well. It’s hard for me to describe but mine sits to low so the bottom splits are to small and the top ones are to large.

 

[LD1]

Sawyer Robs picture looks like it would work well. It’s hard for me to describe but mine sits to low so the bottom splits are to small and the top ones are to large.

I posted a pic of mine in post #7. I made it so the wings are set for the "ideal" size firewood.

That is my wings are 5" high. So a perfect 4 even splits would with a 10" round.

Not all pieces have to be perfect.....8"-12" rounds work out really well with my 4-way.

But what about a 7" round? Something that "without" a 4-way I'd only split in half. But with a 4-way on that would result in the two lower pieces being about perfect.....but the top two being little 2" splints.

Or what about a 13" piece.

Bottom two would be idea but the two coming off the top would really need busted again. So the odd-shaped piece going through the 4-way again....odds are one or two of the pieces would be a little splint.

Im happy a fixed 4-way works for some. For me I like to minimize waste. Im not burning. Im selling. And customers like a nice stack of firewood that handles well, and stacks well. Not a bunch of stuff that ranges from pieces too big to grasp by end with one hand down to tiny splints.

Then when you get down to some nasty crotch pieces, or stuff that had some limbs coming off at odd angles....no way would I want to be stuck with a fixed wedge. I simply found a better way to make mine simply drop on and off.

I just cant believe that anyone with a fixed wedge and has split dozens of cords of wood has never ran across circumstances where they though it would be nice if the wings werent on for this piece.

Obviously an adjustable wedge would be even better. But we all gotta draw the line somewhere right? Because if we didnt, we'd all own $50k processors.

 

[arrow]

Not sure I'd want a bolt-on or permanent 4-way.

At least not unless you sort your rounds.....and all the ~10"-12" stuff that is optimal for 4 way were separated out, and you could spend an hour or so doing nothing but 4-way splits.

But splitting out of a random pile.....I think you are gonna find yourself skipping so many pieces that just arent 4-way material and you are gonna waste more time sorting through the pile than actually being productive at splitting.

I actually made a slip on 4-way for my homemade splitter. And IT does work nice and easy to slip on when needed or slip off when not. But no way would I like one permanent or something that takes anymore than a few seconds to remove


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Not sure I'd want a bolt-on or permanent 4-way.

At least not unless you sort your rounds.....and all the ~10"-12" stuff that is optimal for 4 way were separated out, and you could spend an hour or so doing nothing but 4-way splits.

But splitting out of a random pile.....I think you are gonna find yourself skipping so many pieces that just arent 4-way material and you are gonna waste more time sorting through the pile than actually being productive at splitting.

I actually made a slip on 4-way for my homemade splitter. And IT does work nice and easy to slip on when needed or slip off when not. But no way would I like one permanent or something that takes anymore than a few seconds to remove


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I have this and bent up this 1/2" bar for a handle. Works well.

 

[LD1]

Looks alot like mine. No handle, I just grab the wings for my handle

 

[John_Mc]

I posted a pic of mine in post #7. I made it so the wings are set for the "ideal" size firewood.

That is my wings are 5" high. So a perfect 4 even splits would with a 10" round.

Not all pieces have to be perfect.....8"-12" rounds work out really well with my 4-way.

But what about a 7" round? Something that "without" a 4-way I'd only split in half. But with a 4-way on that would result in the two lower pieces being about perfect.....but the top two being little 2" splints.

Or what about a 13" piece.

Bottom two would be idea but the two coming off the top would really need busted again. So the odd-shaped piece going through the 4-way again....odds are one or two of the pieces would be a little splint.

Im happy a fixed 4-way works for some. For me I like to minimize waste. Im not burning. Im selling. And customers like a nice stack of firewood that handles well, and stacks well. Not a bunch of stuff that ranges from pieces too big to grasp by end with one hand down to tiny splints.

Then when you get down to some nasty crotch pieces, or stuff that had some limbs coming off at odd angles....no way would I want to be stuck with a fixed wedge. I simply found a better way to make mine simply drop on and off.

I just cant believe that anyone with a fixed wedge and has split dozens of cords of wood has never ran across circumstances where they though it would be nice if the wings werent on for this piece.

Obviously an adjustable wedge would be even better. But we all gotta draw the line somewhere right? Because if we didnt, we'd all own $50k processors.

When you talk about a "fixed 4-way wedge" are you talking about one that is bolted or welded on to the splitter, or are you talking about one that is easily removable with no tools required, but is not adjustable in height?

There is no way I'd want one that is bolted or welded in place, but I would not want to be without my removable 4 way wedge. I drop it on when the situation calls for it, and pull it off when it doesn't. I do try to stage my rounds in such a way that I'm not having to switch back and forth every couple of splits.

 

[dodge man]

I attached a picture of mine and one showing the splits. The round was roughly 9” and two of the pieces are perfect for me, one is to small, and one to big. Not a big deal, close enough, but if the round is bigger or smaller, not so good. Once again not a big deal as the 4 way just drops on mine and comes off with no tools.

 

[arrow]

Looks alot like mine. No handle, I just grab the wings for my handle

That's what I used to do.
Then I became twice ur age.
One hand toss suits me better.

 

[John_Mc]

I attached a picture of mine and one showing the splits. The round was roughly 9” and two of the pieces are perfect for me, one is to small, and one to big. Not a big deal, close enough, but if the round is bigger or smaller, not so good. Once again not a big deal as the 4 way just drops on mine and comes off with no tools.
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You mentioned in another post that you thought your horizontal wedge sat too low, making th bottom splits too small. That one looks pretty good to me. My original 4-way wedge split a bit larger than that: about half way up a 10" high vertical wedge. I had the factory make me another that was about an inch lower. I get a bunch that are about 3.5"-4" through the bottom, and the top varies depending on my log size.

I do tend to split smaller than some people. Smaller chunks burn more efficiently (though I do realize that maximizing efficiency is not everyone's sole goal: There is a balance with efficiency of burn and making efficient use of your splitting labor. Size also affects how frequently you have to load. Also, the bigger chunks are more likely to last through the night.)

 

[LD1]

When you talk about a "fixed 4-way wedge" are you talking about one that is bolted or welded on to the splitter, or are you talking about one that is easily removable with no tools required, but is not adjustable in height?

There is no way I'd want one that is bolted or welded in place, but I would not want to be without my removable 4 way wedge. I drop it on when the situation calls for it, and pull it off when it doesn't. I do try to stage my rounds in such a way that I'm not having to switch back and forth every couple of splits.

Yes, I am talking about one that does NOT adjust, yet is not easily removed either.

Same issues many others are saying, about pieces either being too big, or too small, or generating too much kindling.

But aparently at least one person likes a fixed and non-removable 4-way, and runs everything through it, and has little to now waste. And the rest of us with a slip on 4-way that remove and only use when the right pieces come along, our 4-ways are of inferior design.

 

[John_Mc]

But aparently at least one person likes a fixed and non-removable 4-way, and runs everything through it, and has little to now waste. And the rest of us with a slip on 4-way that remove and only use when the right pieces come along, our 4-ways are of inferior design.

If you are referring to Sawyer Rob, his 4-way wedge is fixed only in the sense that it is not adjustable for height. It is easily removable, so yo have the option of a single wedge. I've used those Timberwolf splitters extensively - both 3 Pt Hitch and stand alone models. I've also used a lot of other brands of splitters. I've never found any that I like as much as the Timberwolf (at least the Timberwolf models before they were bought out. I have not used the different models made under the new ownership.) I own an American CLS splitter. It's "almost as good" as a Timberwolf. I got a good deal on it. If I saw a similar deal on one of the old-style Timberwolf TW5 stand-alone splitters, I would selling mine and jump on the TW5.

 

[dodge man]

You mentioned in another post that you thought your horizontal wedge sat too low, making th bottom splits too small. That one looks pretty good to me. My original 4-way wedge split a bit larger than that: about half way up a 10" high vertical wedge. I had the factory make me another that was about an inch lower. I get a bunch that are about 3.5"-4" through the bottom, and the top varies depending on my log size.

I do tend to split smaller than some people. Smaller chunks burn more efficiently (though I do realize that maximizing efficiency is not everyone's sole goal: There is a balance with efficiency of burn and making efficient use of your splitting labor. Size also affects how frequently you have to load. Also, the bigger chunks are more likely to last through the night.)

Your correct, it sits a little higher than I remember. It’s definitely quicker having the 4 way if the round is the right size. I may experiment with it a little more.

 

[Cougsfan]

This thread illustrates that there are far more than one way to skin a cat. There are a lot of variables involved in making firewood. How much wood do you need to split? What size of wood? What is the nature of the wood (knotty, splintery, etc)? Is the size fairly consistent? Do you need to split vertical? Do you need to be mobile with your splitting equipment? What do you already own? How much are you willing to spend for splitting equipment? Not many of us have the same answers to all those questions, hence so many good options that are presented here.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm spoiled with a very nice splitter. Trailer mounted. Hydraulic log lift. Hydraulic adjustable 2way/4way. 45 Ton capacity. Needs 3 men to fully utilize it's effectiveness. Never throw away any part of the tree. It'll split anything you can load onto the table. And most here would never consider buying it.