Log Splitter

[xlr82v2]

Make sure your stand alone unit will operate in a verticle mode. Once you split some horizontally, try using it vertically...sit on a unsplit piece or something like an milk crate. Either back up to a pile of unsplit wood, or roll a bunch of the bigger ones over to your splitter on one side. Sit on the crate and drag/roll/slide/lift/whatever the wood over and split it, then toss the split wood into a pile on the other side. It will be easier on your back in the long run. I've split a lot of wood this way, some it too big to even think about lifting onto a horizontal splitter.

I'm just the opposite... I really hate using the vertical mode, to me it just isn't comfortable (really, it's uncomfortable for me, too much bending over!) but I will if the piece is too big to comfortably lift up. I'll leave all the big stuff off to the side, go to vertical mode, and bust up the big pieces into more manageable sizes, then go back to horizontal, and finish up the job. But, that's just me

 

[billbill1]

My 8 hp splitter is an older TSC Husky and is horizontal or verticle. About waist high horizontal and that's how I use it the most. With the 5 hp or the 8 hp splitters, I've never tried it on anything that they wouldn't split. I burn lots of hedge, it's very twisted and gnarly but good wood, burns very hot. Here is the 8hp, not a very good picture (sorry)

 

[Ford850]

850,

I'm not telling you that you shouldn't get the high HP splitter, but don't think in any way that a 5hp 11gpm 22 ton splitter is in any way "underpowered". 5hp will split any piece of wood that you can muscle up to it.

The bigger, more powerful splitters are bait for the "Tim Taylor" crowd... and that's straight from the mouth of a commercial splitter manufacturer rep!

Now, if you start talking about 4-way wedges and stuff like that, then, yeah, you might need a little more power... but aside from that, 5hp will do everything that 15hp will do, and do it a lot cheaper. And, unless you have a multi-person team operating the splitter, cycle time really isn't a factor in my experience... my 5hp splitter is waiting on me MUCH more than I'm waiting on it.

Just my experience, your mileage may vary

xlr82v2,
I planned to get the 6.5hp, 11gpm, 22 ton with 4" cylinder (14 second cycle). The original one I saw had a decent sized beam and wider 'log cradle/wedge channel'. The new 22 ton has a much lighter beam with narrow welded angle iron for a wedge channel. Even my wife thought it looked flimsy.
The next step up is the 5hp Honda, slightly better 'rolled edge' creating the channel which makes for a wider log cradle, 11gpm pump, 27 ton 4 1/2" cylinder. It's the pump to cylinder ratio (18 second cycle time) that makes me call it under powered. "Slow" would be a better description I guess, since it is 30% slower than the smaller model. This model is several hundred dollars more than the 22 ton and you have to sacrifice too much speed (IMO). It's not the better GX engine either, just a plain Honda series.
Then there's the 35 ton unit. The frame and beam are built similar to how I have come to expect a log splitter to be built. Much thicker steel, wider beam with rolled edges creating the channel and a wider log frame, etc. It's actually built similar to the first 22 ton model I saw on their lot before it was sold. The larger engine and cylinder aren't needed, I agree. But if you have the larger cylinder, there better be a larger pump to supply it, and there is (5" cylinder and 16gpm pump).
I met a gentleman who saw me comparing the models at TSC. He said he bought a 22 ton unit 5 years ago, it works great, "for the same price as they sell them today". Then he said, "Oh, mine is much heavier though, like that" as he pointed to the 35 ton model. That's when I started comparing how they were built. I'm guessing they had to lighten them up a lot to keep them at the critical price point of $999.00. I'll look them all over again when I go to buy one. Who know, maybe I'll opt for a lighter one. I thought about shopping around the other TSC's in my area looking for an older 22 ton model, but I'm not sure I want one that has been sitting in the rain ans snow for a year on their lot. I might be better off picking a fresh one.

 

[xlr82v2]

850,

I see what you're saying.

Here's the splitter that I have: Brave Products 22 Ton Splitter

Mine's 5 or 6 years old now, but I have had absolutely no trouble with it, and it has split everything that I could get up to it, even some of the knottiest, stringiest elm that I've ever seen... it just powers through. There's lots of splitter mfgr's out there, and lots of them put out a better splitter than Husky... (I think that's what you've been looking at)... I especially don't like the belt driven pump. It probably works fine, but I just don't like it.

Maybe there's somewhere other than TSC within driving distance that you can shop for different brand splitters? On the Brave Products website, they don't have a dealer locator, but they say send them an email and they'll point you to the nearest dealer... I highly recommend them.

Just don't settle for something you don't really want... and don't spend more $$$'s than you need to! The bad thing is that it's getting into wood cutting season, so there probably won't be any good deals on splitters until late Spring next year . I was just looking at the prices on the website... their MSRP is high... I got mine from Buchheit's, which is the local farm supply store just like TSC or Rural King (they have I think 6 stores within a 100 mile radius, that's the extent of their company) but I paid about $775 for mine back then... I was just there the other day, and I think the 22 ton that I have is now in the $1100 range IIRC... shows how much steel prices have gone up! What the hey, you might even be able to deal with Brave Products or another manufacturer that you like over the phone! You'll have to pay shipping, but you probably won't have to pay sales tax! And, shipping is inclulded in the price at the retail store anyway.

Well, enough of me babbling, I need to get to work Good luck on your Log Splitter quest!

 

[Ford850]

xlr82v2,
I looked into both the Brave and the Swisher models someone mentioned. Your 'belt" comment had me puzzled. The Husky models are direct drive to the pumps. They are "made" by SpeeCo who makes many models, some with vertical shaft engines and some horizontal. All the Huskys have the vertical. I'm not sure why that makes any difference. I think the older TSC models were made by Swisher, and they do mention some sort of clutch engagement (belt?). The current TSC models look a little better built than the Swishers. Those Brave splitters are nice, but none are sold close to me. And by the time I add the dislodger and log cradle, the price starts to climb out of my range. I did notice a recall on the Brave site, so take a look in case your splitter is affected.
I started my search weeks ago, at the local saw shop. They don't carry splitters any more, and told me how most of the small manufacturers we had in this area stopped making them due to MTD and TSC models. They directed me to TSC for the most bang for my buck. I thought "no way I'll buy a Husky", but looked at them closer one day and was surprised at the quality appearance and features. So here I am, full cirlce, looking to buy a Husky. And thanks to all the comments on here, maybe it will be the 22 ton to save some money. I'll just have to paint over that Husky name I guess.

 

[xlr82v2]

850,

The splitters at the TSC nearest me must be old stock Swisher's then... they had the belt drive pump. I guess I haven't seen the new ones. Honestly, I have't been to TSC probably since last winter... it's a little bit of a drive from here and I don't make it there too often. We've got Buchheit's and Rural Kings around here that fill the need...

Thanks for the tip on the recall, I didn't notice that on the website. I don't think that mine's covered in the recall, I think mine's too old, but I've got the serial numbers written down and I'll check that this morning.

My Dad has an old Speeco brand log splitter from about 1974, 5hp, 20 ton, horizontal only. It has split a LOT of wood... a LOT of wood! The wedge on it is so worn down that it is almost due to be replaced... and it's razor sharp At last count, he's on the 5th or 6th engine for it and the 2nd hydraulic pump. He finally replaced the original valve for a new one with the auto return detent a few years ago. The cylinder needs to be rebuilt I'm sure, as it just doesn't have the "push" that it used to, too much blow by. I've spent a lot of hours pushing the lever on that old splitter when I was a little kid... we could split some wood with 2 people on it! That was my main job when I was little... we'd split wood until my feet got cold, then we'd take a break and go at it again when I was warmed up. I wish I could even guess as to how much wood that thing has split... thousands of cords! I do know that what usually killed the engine was that the carburetor would break in half, about an inch from where it would bolt onto the block. I know that's what got the first couple of engines... but they had a LOT of hours on them when that happened. Dad cuts wood all year round, and sells firewood in the fall and winter. He's finally starting to slow down some since he ain't no spring chicken anymore, but he's still out there doing it, just not as much.

 

[Rara Avis]

Vertical for the BIG pieces...

Horizontal for the EXERCISE...

 

[xlr82v2]

Vertical for the BIG pieces...

Horizontal for the EXERCISE...

YEP!!

 

[turnkey4099]

Dunno if this has been mentioned but...

Push power on a splitter comes almost solely from the size of the cylinder. Almost all (all that I have seen) have the pressure limits set to 2,500-2,700 PSI regardless of size of pump, motor, or cylinder.

Bigger pump gets you more speed (for same size cylinder) but no more power.

Thus a big motor, should have a bigger pump and perhaps a bigger cylinder.

Bottom line is that you can't (normally) get more power without upping the size of the cylinder.

Harry K

 

[Ford850]

I finally got back to TSC to pick up a splitter. Thanks to all the advice on here, I saved some money. I bought the SpeeCo made Huskee, 22 ton, 11gpm, 6.5hp briggs, 4" cylinder, 14 second cycle time. They had just received a slightly different model with a wider beam and log cradle and didn't even have a price tag on it yet. But the model number was the same as the other 22 ton models on the lot so the price was the same. The paint was still tacky in one area, so it must be fresh from the factory. I put it to use right away. Started easily, ran reasonably quiet, and the speed was much better than I hoped for. Even the larger beam width that I was happy to get and thought I would need probably doesn't matter. It split every knot and crotched log I could find, and popped the straight logs like they were nothing. It actually works better than I thought the largest model would work. Thanks again for all the input on this. While I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to add to my tractor attachments (technically), I did add a ball to my drawbar to haul it when needed. And the $700 I saved by buying the smallest model splitter will now go towards a quick attach snow blade for my FEL.