Log splitter

[Propertymaint]

Hi, didn't quite know where to post this but I'm looking to purchase a log splitter. I originally thought about a pto splitter but heard the cycle times are slower than a self contained unit. I am leaning towards a tow behind. What are minimums I should look for - 15 +/- second cycle time?
11 +/-GPM two stage pump?
5-8 hp
20-25 ton.
I don't want to spend the farm but I want something that isn't going to be slow and frustrating. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[rozett]

I have a Yard Machines (MTD) splitter that I bought several years ago on eBay. It was slightly used and saved me about 35% of the cost of a new one. This is their current model , but mine is 26-ton and a 6.5 hp B&S engine. I've split 150 cords of hardwood in the past two years, without any significant problems. I really liked the Timberwolf, especially since this is a business for me.... but I just couldn't handle the cost. This splitter has performed well and I have no regrets. The cycle time is a little slow, but I rarely let the wedge fully retract, so it is really a lot shorter. And if you are operating the machine alone, the slower time gives you a chance to get the next piece.

 

[Ductape]

I too have a "Yard Machines" splitter, purchased at the Depot. I was able to get it during a 10% off sale.... a fair amount of money when you are spending $1200 or so. Mine has the Honda motor and a 27 ton rating. I love mine, and i have split some gnarly hardwood with barely a hiccup. I would certainly say it has exceeded my expectations ! I had weighed out getting a 3ph splitter, but when you factor in the additional hours running your "more expensive" to replace tractor engine, versus a "less expensive" to replace small engine... i opted for the self powered tow behind unit. Of course... to each their own, just thought this was the best route for me !

Scott

 

[Propertymaint]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies! I'm going to check the want adds for the next month and if I don't find a decent used one (which I doubt) I am going to bite the bullit.

 

[turnkey4099]

Cycle time is greatly overrated unless you are running a two-man operating crew. My homebuilt is running a 13gpm pump by a 5.5 HP gear reduction Briggs so you can see that the cycle time is somewhere between slow and -really- slow. However running it by myself, I can barely keep it fed.

Very few chunks of wood require the full stroke, most that I split will split at the latest prior to 50%. Those knotty/gnarly ones that require full stroke just give me a nice rest period for a few seconds.

Unless you are in commercial production, any 11gpm and around 6 hp unit should be more than adequate.
Of course more is always better /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Harry K

 

[Youare]

Two years ago I purchased a SuperSplit brand wood splitter. I have been cutting and splitting fire wood for the past 30 years and thought it was time to get something mechanical to split with and give the old elbows a break.

What always bothered me with the hydraulic splitters I had used was the cycle time, many times I could split faster by hand. Of course I could only do this for a couple of hours before needing a rest which the splitter did not need.

The SuperSplit has a 4 second cycle time vs. the 15 to 20 second time of most hydraulic units. Also several of the SuperSplit units I had looked at before I bought mine had been used commercially for 10 to 15 years by people who sold fire wood as a business, 100 to 150 cords per year. None of them had any problems with their splitters with that amount of use.

They are a little more expensive than the Timber Wolf but given the faster cycle times and no hydraulic pumps, lines, or control valves to replace the extra cost seemed worth it.

I do think the SuperSplit takes less fuel to operate than the hydraulic units, less than a quart per cord has been my experience.

Randy

 

[HODAK]

I have a 3PH splitter that I recently hooked up to my newly installed remotes on a KIOTI CK 30. If I did not have an old Lickity Splitter that works perfectly, this splitter would be OK. I inherited the 3PH one and it's like new but, it is slow and then your tractor is running burning a lot more fuel, it is power down, power return and this ties up one hand all the time. If you are splitting now and then for occasional use, this would be fine. In my opinion, the stand alone units are better for a lot of splitting.

 

[Propertymaint]

Thanks guys for the input. When I was a kid I worked for a guy who sold cordwood when he needed help. Sometimes depending on the type of wood and what the temperature was outside I would shut down the hydraulic power splitter and split with a maul. It was a lot faster. Nowadays I usually just split my firewood by hand - chunk it up for drying and split a wheelbarrow or two at a time into smaller pieces (so the wife can handle it easier) when I fill up the wood bin. I think it's time to buy a splitter this year, besides, the way oil prices are I think it will pay for itself by the second year.

 

[turnkey4099]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a 3PH splitter that I recently hooked up to my newly installed remotes on a KIOTI CK 30. If I did not have an old Lickity Splitter that works perfectly, this splitter would be OK. I inherited the 3PH one and it's like new but, it is slow and then your tractor is running burning a lot more fuel, it is power down, power return and this ties up one hand all the time. If you are splitting now and then for occasional use, this would be fine. In my opinion, the stand alone units are better for a lot of splitting. )</font>

Ah yes, I had forgotten that little problem. When I first built mine, I too had to keep one hand on the valve. I replaced that valve with one that remains in position until I move it (?non-centering?). The valve handle is right over the nose of the cylinder so a quick swipe without looking either stops the ram or puts it into reverse. Sped things up tremendously. It does have a drawback SAFETY. It is dangerous so no-one but me will ever run it. If I sell it, I will put the old valve back on.

Harry K

 

[JimR]

I'm surprised you didn't see this one in the WantAdvertiser recently. I have a 3PT tractor run hydraulic splitter. It works great and is super on large pieces of wood that you cannot lift. But I got tired of the slow cycle time. I saw this one last week in the WantAd and picked it up. It is a Super Split logsplitter with a Honda 5 1/2 horse motor. Cycle time is under 3 seconds. It has split everything I have thrown at it so far that I could physically lift up on the table. What is great about a seperate unit is the fact you can put your bucket right up to the splitter and fill it up as you split wood. Others have commented about this in the past and I always felt it was just more money to spend. Now I have a total different feeling that I have more time to do other things. Mine has the work table on it which I highly reccommend getting if you buy any type of splitter.
http://www2.shore.net/~logsplit/index.html

 

[turnkey4099]

I, for one, would at least try one out if I had the money and needed a splitter - and their prices aren't all that bad anyhow.

I have seen them referred to, write ups, ads etc over the years. Never heard and negative comments.

Harry K

 

[JimR]

A friend of mine is the one who talked me into one of these splitters. He bought his unit, which is the same as mine, 15 years ago used. He sold cordwood for almost 10 years using his splitter to do all the splitting. In that time he replaced the rack once and now needs to replace the pinion gear. Not bad for 10 years of hard commercial use. The splitter we have is the HD model.

 

[Propertymaint]

Thanks Jim, I'm usually a day late with the want advertiser. Missed a lot of good deals.

 

[JimR]

Don't feel bad. I missed one 3 weeks ago and another bigger unit 2 weeks ago. This is the first time ever that I have seen 3 Super Splits listed back to back. The other two sold right away also.

 

[holstein05]

I have a Log Splitter Question. My Father in Law gave me an old Hydraulic splitter to run off the tractor. The catch is, it doesn't have the Cylinder. Now, I need to get a cylinder for it, and I don't know what size I should be looking at. I can figure out the stroke, that's pretty easy, but the bore is my concern. I will be running it with a 40 hp tractor. any advice?

 

[JimR]

I would put at least a 4" ID cylinder on your splitter with a 2" piston ram. I have a 5" on my hydraulic splitter. The length is whatever will fit in the area you have to work with.

 

[MadDog]

Is it going to connect to the tractor hydraulics or just run its pump off of the PTO? If you are running off of tractor hydraulics, check your tractor specs for the output of your hydraulic pump; you can then calculate your cycle time from the bore of the cylinder. That will give you an idea as to whether you can go to a larger cylinder (like 5") without ending up with too slow a cycle time. If you plan to run the splitter yourself, you probably don't need anything faster than 15-20sec, but much slower than that is apt to have you standing around getting frustrated.

Hope this helps