Consumer log splitters, towable on roads??

[bczoom]

Sounds to me like towing is a personal preference. Yes, most are towable but personally, I can see something like what roughcut is mentioning.

If I can change the subject slightly (don't really need to start a new thread and a lot of you here have splitters I'm looking at). Just need a quick opinion.
I've been out checking out new splitters lately. I understand that the new splitters that split vertically have to have the splitting occur in the rear but personally, I find that area confining. With the tires/fenders... it seems there's not a lot of room to work when splitting horizontally. How much of an issue is everyone finding it? Are you constantly banging your shins or otherwise?

My current splitter is horizontal only and splits at the front. I have a clear working area for 3-4' and can work from either side.

 

[rozett]

This is the latest version of the splitter that I have. *photo* It will split either horizontal or vertical. I have never used it in the vertical position. If I had a very large diameter log, I could see where it would be useful vs trying to lift it. But all the stuff that size went to the mill. Although sometimes the wheel and fender feel like they are in my way, I often use the fender to hold half a chunk of wood while I resplit the other half. I have split over 50 cord of firewood since July using this splitter. You just get used to the fender being there.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I have that same splitter and I think it's great! It is more of a pain (for me) to split vertically than horizontally, but that's just my preference. I usually tow it over to my brother-in-law's on the back of my Cub at 14.4 MPH and it tows fine! Seriously, I am sure that they are designed to be towed at highway speeds. The tires are the same as on a small camper or snowmobile trailer. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Soundguy]

Check the bearings and tire specs.

Soundguy

 

[paparammer]

I have a horizontal/vertical splitter from Northern Tools and have only used it vertically a few times when I had something that no way were two people lifting. I don't find I even notice the wheels when splitting (no fenders though). However, that wasn't the prime reason I bought that model. Since the dual position models have to pivot, it sets the beam higher than a horizontal only splitter. This means you are bending over at less of an angle most of the time. Of course you do have to lift the log higher but that's just one continuous motion. The beniding over is what gets my back.

On another different note - something I've always wondered but never bothered to check out. Are log splitters required to have a license similar to boat trailers? What are the legalities?

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Since the dual position models have to pivot, it sets the beam higher than a horizontal only splitter. This means you are bending over at less of an angle most of the time. Of course you do have to lift the log higher but that's just one continuous motion. The beniding over is what gets my back.

On another different note - something I've always wondered but never bothered to check out. Are log splitters required to have a license similar to boat trailers? What are the legalities? )</font>

The higher beam is my primary reason for getting a new splitter. My current splitter is only about a foot off the ground and my back gets sore a lot faster as my age goes up. It's too cumbersome to hoist mine up because I'm moving it often.

Log splitters, small (tow behind) concrete or mortar mixers... don't need a license that I know of. They're not intended for on-road use. Primary rule I'm aware of is the fact the lights on the towing vehicle have to be visible.

 

[Dargo]

rozett, My splitter looks almost identical except it has a 6.5 Briggs and says it's a 26 ton splitter. I've never used it horizontally. The logs I've been splitting are more than I care to lift, so the vertical split works great for me. I just sort of roll 'em in place. By the way, it's nice that those fenders are soft plastic...I would have crushed them several times over by now! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[rozett]

We have exactly the same splitter. Mine is the 6.5 Briggs and 26 ton. I think MTD changed engines and that reduced the HP and hydraulic pressure.

 

[JerryK]

I split almost entirely vertically. Mostly have big blocks of wood that are too heavy to lift up. Roll or throw a pile of wood over near the splitter, set you a block of wood down to sit on, and have at it. Then get up and clean the area and start over. Most people I know cart their splitters on a trailer, and only pull them around on their property. Don't have a spare, and don't like little tired trailers. Tires and bearings don't hold up at that high of a RPM.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( By the way, it's nice that those fenders are soft plastic...I would have crushed them several times over by now! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )</font>

The one I'm probably going to get has metal fenders. Sounds like I better take them off. Save my legs also.