Log splitters

[Sawyer Rob]

We know Rob

Well, I could have posted some picts. for you, to make sure you don't forget!

SR

 

[Piston]

Well, I could have posted some picts. for you, to make sure you don't forget!

SR

Hey I never complain about too many pics! The more the merrier!

 

[JRobyn]

We've got this one - 22 Ton Timber Brute Eco Split 12 Volt Electric Full Frame Log Splitter LS22E - Log Splitters

I think we wound up paying about $1500 delivered through Home Depot.com.

It is a SERIOUS splitter. Except for the electric motor, it is built identical to gas-powered models. It handles most big gnarly hickory just fine. An occasional big piece will take a couple of stalls/bumps. Cycle times are very similar to gas-powered ones we've used. Maybe just a bit slower by 1-2 seconds. It MUST be run it on a 20a circuit if you leave it 120vac. Extension cords will work, but only if VERY heavy (12g), and they do degrade performance a bit. An occasional breaker trip is to be expected. I believe it would work AWESOME if we switched it over to 240vac.

Wife (and F-I-L) really like the quiet. Be advised it is NOT silent! Still have the usual hydraulic whine.

 

[John_Mc]

I like the sound of an electric log splitter, but I'm not seeing anything above 10 ton other than the flywheel type splitters, and those are really pricey.

I owned a 16 ton RamSplitter electric splitter for about 8 years. I was concerned that 16 ton would be too light for my needs, but that was the largest I could get that would still run on a normal 120 VAC outlet. I wanted to run it off of 120V for greater portability. (It had a 2HP electric motor. They've since dropped to a 1.5 HP electric, and use a 2 HP on their 20 ton model) It worked out OK for me: I split 3 cords a year for my own use, and occasionally a few more helping friends or donating to families in need. 80+% of what I split was 16" diameter or smaller, though I did go as large as 24" diameter. I split Beech, Oak, Maple, Hickory, Ash, Elm, and occasionally Black Locust.

I bought it because I didn't want another gas engine to maintain. I planned on doing all my splitting at home, right up near the garage. That worked out OK, but my work pattern shifted to where I now split most of me wood near where I fell it in the woods. Electric doesn't work so well when you are out in the middle of nowhere (though I did bring a generator out with me from time to time). I sold the electric, and bought a gas splitter

FWIW: I agree with Moss Road: Everyone seems to think Oak is the real test of a splitter. I'm not sure what the big deal is. I don't find it any harder to split than Beech or Maple. The only problems are with really gnarly, or crotch wood (regardless of species). I've hand split a lot of wood as well. Frankly, I don't see the big deal with Oak. It's heavy and it burns well (if you have the patience to dry it properly). American Elm is much tougher to split - enough so that when I was hand splitting, the Elm just got left in the woods to rot (not that there is much of it with any size left after Dutch Elm disease took it out). Hickory and Ash are very easy to split - that's fun stuff to save for hand splitting.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Cycle times are very similar to gas-powered ones we've used. Maybe just a bit slower by 1-2 seconds.

The importance of cycle time is vastly overrated. Your own work habits (efficient or not) will make far more practical difference.

 

[John_Mc]

The importance of cycle time is vastly overrated. Your own work habits (efficient or not) will make far more practical difference.

I agree to a point. The different between a 10 second and a 12 or 15 second cycle time makes little difference (at least to me, when working alone). A 30 second cycle time is very noticeable. If you've got help, or even of you've just got a bunch of logs staged on a deck and ready to go, it's downright annoying.

 

[scdeerslayer]

All oaks are not created equal. There are many different species. Some will split very easily where you could split it faster using mauls instead of a hydraulic splitter. Some you better have a hydraulic splitter, and will probably be better off leaving the forks and pieces with big knots in the woods.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

I also purchased a gas powered splitter, the smaller Ariens 22T through Home Depot. I don't like the noise, but where I split is too far to reach with a power cord. I used it to split ten cords a few years ago and haven't started it since because I'm only using 1 1/2 - 2 cords a year. I only use non-alcohol fuel in it, and always run the tank and carb dry at the end of a session, so I don't think they'll be any trouble getting the Subaru engine going again when I need it. My oak sounds a lot like yours, biggest being about 20" rounds, twisted up live oak and white oak being the dominant species around here. Splitting wood that's dried out for a year or two is a LOT easier than the green stuff. The table height on the Ariens is very convenient, and I made up a steel table the same height that sits off the end of the stopping plate to catch the splits, very handy with larger rounds that take multiple passes. I keep cycle time to a minimum by only retracting the ram far enough to get the next piece of wood in, very easy to do with the conveniently located valve handle. I was a little uneasy at first going to the smaller size, but so far it's split everything I've thrown at it and has only stalled once or twice. Even then it was easy to back the wedge out and take a smaller bite to get 'er done. I'd buy the same splitter again, no regrets. See my sig for a link...

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I agree to a point. The different between a 10 second and a 12 or 15 second cycle time makes little difference (at least to me, when working alone). A 30 second cycle time is very noticeable.

Oh, I agree! I was referring to the endless debates you see on forums about 10 vs. 12 vs. 9 seconds. Big fat hairy deal!