Log splitters

[deezler]

If you can buy on sale you can't go wrong with this. The few logs it won't split makes good bon-fire fuel. RuggedSplit 322-24-REX Log Splitter: 22-Ton, Raven 301cc, Log Lift, 24" Stroke

I am SO very much on the fence to buy this sucker. Definitely seems like the best deal out there by far.

My current MTD 6-hp splitter has a low beam height, no lift, slow cycle time, no 4-way wedge, etc. Works ok when you have helpers but is atrociously slow when working solo.

 

[John_Mc]

If you can buy on sale you can't go wrong with this. The few logs it won't split makes good bon-fire fuel. RuggedSplit 322-24-REX Log Splitter: 22-Ton, Raven 301cc, Log Lift, 24" Stroke

Rugged Made is one of the few splitter manufacturers who is more honest about their splitters tonnage ratings. You'll find that their 22 ton splitter will easily keep up with (and often beat)splitters that are rated significantly higher.

Years ago, I contacted the manufacturers of a number of splitters and asked what the recommended setting was for the pressure relief setting or "operating system pressure" on the splitter. With that number and the size of the cylinder, you can calculate the tonnage. (Real world will be slightly less due to friction and in the system.) Most would actually put out significantly less than their advertised rating. I'm not sure how they get away with the false advertising, but it's VERY common in the industry.

Rugged Made, American CLS, and Timberwolf were three who were fairly accurate in their ratings, at least last time I checked. There are a couple of others whose names I don't recall at the moment.

For anyone interested the formula to calculated pounds of force exerted by a cylinder:

Pi x R x R x PSI = pounds
Where Pi is 3.14 (approx), R is the RADIUS of the cylinder (not diameter), and PSI is the operating pressure.

To get tons, just divide pounds by 2000.

A 4" diameter cylinder operating at 3500 PSI would be:
Pi X 2 X 2 X 3000 = 43,982 Lbs = approx 22 tons.

To get 25 tons out of a 4" cylinder, you'd have to run it at almost 4000 PSI.

 

[newkiotiguy]

I'll likely go for the Champion 34 or 37 ton splitter. Don't really need the extra splitting force and the 27 ton would be fine but they seem to be in bigger demand on Facebook Marketplace around here. Both are in stock locally and just $300 more. Might be money well spent for a quicker resale.

Right now, I'm still cutting rounds and moving them to a staging area. I plan to buy and split at my leisure over the summer and resell the splitter in the fall.

We have put well over 20 full cord of cherry, elm, oak, and ash through our 27 ton champion. Haven't found anything that it hasn't gone through. 11 second cycle time on the 27 vs 16 seconds for the 34 and 37 is huge.

 

[arrow]

I'll likely go for the Champion 34 or 37 ton splitter. Don't really need the extra splitting force and the 27 ton would be fine but they seem to be in bigger demand on Facebook Marketplace around here. Both are in stock locally and just $300 more. Might be money well spent for a quicker resale.

Right now, I'm still cutting rounds and moving them to a staging area. I plan to buy and split at my leisure over the summer and resell the splitter in the fall.

The 27 ton is plenty for the average home owner.
I started with a rated 16 ton horizontal and it uses a 4 way on there with no problem even with splitting mostly oaks.
I dont think there is an available 4 way for the 27 ton Champion but the return speed is pretty quick and the vertical ability came in handy to split 24” cherry last year.
Unless one is splitting very large and knarly stuff,
The larger Champions are overkill imo.

 

[gsganzer]

We have put well over 20 full cord of cherry, elm, oak, and ash through our 27 ton champion. Haven't found anything that it hasn't gone through. 11 second cycle time on the 27 vs 16 seconds for the 34 and 37 is huge.

The cycle time was a factor for me. 11 seconds was one of the shortest times I've seen. It makes a difference.

 

[deezler]

The cycle time was a factor for me. 11 seconds was one of the shortest times I've seen. It makes a difference.

Yeah. The rugged made 22-ton states a 10 seconds cycle time, highly appealing for me.

The thing is, when your ram hits a tough piece of wood, it slows way down and cycle time becomes much longer. Kinda hard to account for that.

 

[gsganzer]

Yeah. The rugged made 22-ton states a 10 seconds cycle time, highly appealing for me.

The thing is, when your ram hits a tough piece of wood, it slows way down and cycle time becomes much longer. Kinda hard to account for that.

I agree. I think most are 2-stage pumps. It's the return that seems to make the difference, as that's just unproductive time. I guess I assume the cycle time is extend/retract.

 

[gsganzer]

We'll have to compare notes on the Champion. I bought mine at Home Depot and it was already assembled. Although, I'll probably go through it myself. I'm a stickler when it comes to assembling things using locktite for parts that need to stay together and never-sieze on parts that need to come apart.

The first thing I'll do is add some lifting eyes, so I can easily lift it with a chain to put it in/out of my truck bed/trailer.

While checking it out, I did notice the Home Depot folks put all the cut lock-washers on the wrong side of the flat washers when they assembled it. No big deal, I changed them around and also used locktight on everything that shouldn't come apart. A pet peeve of mine is nuts and bolts coming loose/lost, when an ounce of prevention is all that's needed.

 

[big bubba]

do most splitters use the same rated hyd fluid?
my 36t Huskee states ISO 46 (sae 20). i go with the recommended filter #,
but don't know the micron count.

 

[gsganzer]

do most splitters use the same rated hyd fluid?
my 36t Huskee states ISO 46 (sae 20). i go with the recommended filter #,
but don't know the micron count.

Surprising no. You'd sort of think for this application, it would be a pretty consistent oil across equipment. I guess I don't consider it a very demanding hydraulic application, but maybe I'm wrong. The Champion takes ISO/AW 32