Log splitters

[dougtrr2]

If I ever replace my log splitter, I would get one with a lift. In the mean time I found that resting an 8' 4 x 4 on the lower web of the I beam gives me an inclined plane that makes it easy to roll the logs up.

Mine does go vertical, but that seems to be harder on my back.

Doug in SW IA

 

[bdhsfz6]

I’m trying to decide whether I should buy or rent a log splitter. I’m concerned that I will wear out before the logs are all split. Renting a splitter for 10 days will cost me about $1700, so that number is my hope for a decent splitter. I need to have one that I can roll the logs onto. Any thoughts?

I'm in a similar situation. I had to take down a dozen large trees due to storm and insect damage. I don't do a lot of splitting annually, so I'm also faced with the question whether to rent or buy.

At my age, I don't have that many working hours in a day, so the costs of renting a splitter will add up quickly. My math indicates I could buy a new splitter, use it for a month or so, and resell it. If I can get 80% of the purchase price back, I would about break even compared to the estimated rental cost.

In researching local resale prices, the 80% figure is reasonable for a used "like new" splitter, providing I don't abuse it. The problem is the timing. Right now, there are quite a few units like this on the market and sales are slow. In the mean time, I will cut the wood into rounds and wait to see what happens with the market this summer.

 

[BnRidge]

If getting rounds up on the splitter is an issue, I used a block and tackle, log rafting dog, and a couple 10ft 2x4s for several years. About 40cord. Knock the rafting dog a couple times with a 2lb hammer to either drive it in or remove it. Setup was fast, cheap and easy. I tied off the poles either to nearby buildings or with a rope and stake.

5/8" Hammerhead Rafting Dog

5/8" Hammerhead Rafting Dog | Buy Online | Lifting.com

lifting.com

 

[kenmbz]

When I moved in 8+ years ago, I was hand splitting as we only did a few fires per season.

Then EAB hit and I had hundreds of large Ash trees to fell or on the ground.
Bought a 25T splitter and use it all the time, when I have free time.

I still use a maul or x27 out in the woods sometimes when I can't get a tractor to the rounds.
But the splitter has a lot of hours and really happy with it.

 

[arrow]

I’m trying to decide whether I should buy or rent a log splitter. I’m concerned that I will wear out before the logs are all split. Renting a splitter for 10 days will cost me about $1700, so that number is my hope for a decent splitter. I need to have one that I can roll the logs onto. Any thoughts?

I would buy the Champion log splitter at Home Depot. This one acts horizontally or vertically so as to not need a lift.
They are around $1300. You can sell it after you use it if you think you’ll never split again.
It will be your cheapest way out plus you are not constrained to get all of your wood split within a ten day time frame.

 

[dodge man]

I have a Yardmax exactly like @kenmbz shows above. One thing I like is the beam is open where the wedge runs. This lets any chips and junks of bark clean off easy. Some I see have rails that the wedge runs on that look like they wouldn’t that crap to fall. I’m not sure if that’s an issue or not.

 

[dadohead]

If getting rounds up on the splitter is an issue, I used a block and tackle, log rafting dog, and a couple 10ft 2x4s for several years.

I've considered a lift to elevate the rounds but they always have to be moved to the splitter anyway. Wife and I use the tractor. Its fast and easy to load a heaping bucket full of rounds then lift it level with the splitter. I can roll 24" on down right onto the beam without strain. Bigger stuff gets rolled into the bucket one-at-a-time, delivered, and placed. A lift would slow us down considerably.

 

[big bubba]

In terms of hyd replacement oil, my Huskee 36 Ton states ISO 46 hyd fluid (SAE 20w they say). what is your hyd log splitter hyd oil type? basically, i just change the proper filter & top off level as needed.

 

[BnRidge]

I've considered a lift to elevate the rounds but they always have to be moved to the splitter anyway. Wife and I use the tractor. Its fast and easy to load a heaping bucket full of rounds then lift it level with the splitter. I can roll 24" on down right onto the beam without strain. Bigger stuff gets rolled into the bucket one-at-a-time, delivered, and placed. A lift would slow us down considerably.

That was when I had the splitter but no tractor with a loader. Once I did get the loader, I decided to use it - and promply dropped a large round on the splitter and made a nice mess of things. Luckily the steel was soft and easily bent back from pretzle to straight again. Another idea I had was to grapple a manure spreader full with 1/2cord of rounds, and roll them off the back onto the splitter, then toss the splits into a second trailer. It all worked for the most part.
It was mentioned that a flat surface, like the top of an I-beam, is way easier to keep chips off of than the county line types that have the wedge enclosed in rails. Something to look at.

 

[ericm979]

Splitters with a lift cost at least twice what your typical horizontal/vertical splitter costs. Some people like using the H/V type in vertical mode but many like me find that it takes a lot of upper body strength. My legs are a lot stronger, so for me it's better to lift rounds up to a horizontal splitter. If you do try the vertical mode make or improvise a foot to keep the round level.

I cut my rounds into sections that are small enough to get on the splitter without too much problem.

I use the tractor with grapple and winch when needed to move logs (cut to 8') to my processing area where I cut them into rounds and split them. I find that to be less work than cutting them into rounds in the woods and carrying the rounds out.