Kinetic Wood Splitters, have they come of age?

[dstig1]

The guy who invented the SuperSplit, which is the kind of machine that is being discussed, is alive and well and selling machines. His patent just ran out, not his life.

I like my supersplit. I like the idea of the electric one too, but I needed the portability of gas when i got it. Now I could probably get away with electric,.

Pretty sure the company was started by the current owner's father, who also invented it. The patent was early 70's, IIRC, so it was long expired (by 1990, for sure). I was never sure why others didn't try to copycat earlier, but it finally started to happen en masse a few years back.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The guy who invented the SuperSplit, which is the kind of machine that is being discussed, is alive and well and selling machines. His patent just ran out, not his life.

He put the SS together, but the idea has been in use, splitting wood and doing many other things since before I was born...

SR

 

[TomSeller]

I like my DR, when adjusted correctly handles knotty stuff fine, and hardwood well. Put about 6 cords thru it and it used only 3 gas fill ups. A bit overkill for what I needed, and a little pricey for what I use it for, but very handy.

What size wood do you split?

 

[TomSeller]

I like my supersplit. I like the idea of the electric one too, but I needed the portability of gas when i go.

Same question for you . What size wood do you split?

 

[RyeThomas]

I have a SS HD, I split from 16-24" lengths. The only way I would own a hydro unit again is if someone would buy me a quick cycle with a hydro adjusting 4-6 way wedge.
Very pleased with my SS, I have more split wood on my property now than I ever have. The only reason is I can process more with my SS and I actually don't mind splitting it now.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I have a SS HD, I split from 16-24" lengths.

What's the diameter, and the type of wood?

 

[RyeThomas]

Any hardwood, around here red/white oak, hickory etc, it doesn't care. Diameter is as big as I can lift up to the table, if it's too big to lift I noodle it on half then let her eat.

 

[dstig1]

What Rye Thomas said +1 Mostly R&W oak, some maple, basswood, misc. Too big to lift gets noodled but my biggest oak was ~32" dia, before noodling.

 

[CADplans]

I looked at the kinetic at a home show in Boston in 1980,,
I did not like them as they require speed to get through tough pieces of wood.
A hydraulic is much safer,, splitting that requires high tonnage slows the hydraulic splitter down.
Even at slow speeds, I have seen firewood fly out of the hydraulic splitter when it finally breaks.
If that piece had been in a kinetic,, who knows where that piece would have flown,,,

I am amazed that rack can survive the high forces that are applied to the one or two teeth that is engaged to the flywheel gear.
They must work, they have been around for over 37 years.

But, IMHO,, if you treasure your teeth,, go with a hydraulic.

 

[4570Man]

I am amazed that rack can survive the high forces that are applied to the one or two teeth that is engaged to the flywheel gear.
They must work, they have been around for over 37 years.

But, IMHO,, if you treasure your teeth,, go with a hydraulic.

Im also surprised the rack holds up any time at all. I guess the best thing it has going for it, is it's engaged while under no load. One day I intend to build a kinetic splitter with a 4 way wedge and no rack&pinion.