Looking for a log splitter

[Wakey]

I want something towable and gas powered. I’d like to split the wood where the tree falls. I don’t think I’d use more than 2 or 3 cords a year, but I want something that can handle larger rounds and not get twisted up trying. Reading older threads here people mention vertical splitting, I’m for that!

I haven’t been here much lately, I hope everyone is well.

 

[nyone]

2-3 cords a year I would just look at what your local big box stores offer. Most will do vertical. You could also check the used market but in my area this type of this dosnt loose value much.

 

[dodge man]

I got lucky and bought this used about a year ago for $800. It was lightly used and goes both horizontal and vertical. I prefer horizontal but for large rounds I go vertical. In the picture I sit on the large round to split. The axe is if you get one split but it won’t come apart all the way. From what I’ve seen a splitter like this will go for $1300 to $1500 now.

 

[big bubba]

if you'll be toting the thing around, highly suggest foam filling the tires. if on the hwy, be sure & get a spare tire & tell the foam guy the tires must be rated hwy use.

btw i much prefer to transport my splitter on a trailer on the open road, not towing the unit. if you have a breakdown & have to abandon it on road, it will soon disappear. good luck

 

[FriendwithTractor]

Don't know what your budget is, but this is the one in my signature: RuggedSplit 737-30-RE Log Splitter: 37-Ton, Raven 420cc, Log Lift, 30" Stroke

Other than putting it together (Which was a bit of a pain, but easy enough with a buddy and a couple of nights after work)
It's more expensive than a box store splitter, but runs circles around them. I have the interchangeable 4 way and 6 way wedge for it. The log lift has saved my back numerous times and I've yet to find something it won't go through.

Good luck!

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Vertical is nice for the big rounds but it is hard on my back bending over like that. I much prefer standing up splitting. Check FB marketplace, seeing used prices coming back down to normalish up in my area. SE Tennessee.

 

[Wakey]

I got lucky and bought this used about a year ago for $800. It was lightly used and goes both horizontal and vertical. I prefer horizontal but for large rounds I go vertical. In the picture I sit on the large round to split. The axe is if you get one split but it won’t come apart all the way. From what I’ve seen a splitter like this will go for $1300 to $1500 now.
View attachment 820621

What make is it?

 

[EddieWalker]

I've had a 27 ton Troy Bilt log splitter that I bought from Lowes for well over a decade now. In my opinion, the most important thing to look for in a log splitter is the engine. Honda makes the very best small engine, and all the other brands try to compare to how close they are to Honda, but none are as good. My log splitter starts every time I need to use it. It runs all day, and it's trouble free. Other brands work well when new, but quickly become difficult to start, or keep running.

27 tons has proven to be enough for anything I put on it. I can split anything I can pick up, but I try to keep my rounds in the 12 to 20 inch range. Some are bigger, but it's getting harder and harder to pick up that much oak as I get older. I only use the tilt function when I get a round that is just too heave to pick up. I hate splitting them that way, it's just a lot more work and effort.

I added plywood tables to either side of my splitter, so nothing falls off of it, and when I split a round in half, I can usually keep that half on the plywood, and work on the other half. The fewer times I have to bend over to pick something up, the better!!!

One tank of gas in the splitter will fill up the bed in my Kawasaki Mule. I like to run the engine until it runs out of gas. I normally only split one load per day. Then I still have plenty of energy to do other things. A full day of splitting and stacking wood will wear me out for the next day.

Lowes doesn't sell Troy Bilt splitters anymore. They have Craftsman, but I wouldn't spend any money on that brand. Used to be good, but now it's really bad. I think Northern Tool has some log splitters with Honda engines. I don't think the hydraulics or the rest of the splitter is that different from one brand to another. The only thing that matters is the Honda engine.

 

[TxSteveS]

What are you going to be splitting?

I have Live Oak. It's one of hardest wood in North America. I went with a 37 ton Northern Tool splitter and I've been happy.

The price jump from ~25/27 ton to ~35/37 ton is a pretty big price jump. 4" piston on the ~25 ton to a 5" piston on the ~35 ton. ($2400 vs $1400)

I have a power washer with a Honda engine and my splitter has a Kohlar engine. Honestly, the Kohler is easier to start when it's been sitting awhile but I've had no issues with either. They both have been very reliable over the past 3 years. I only run non-ethanol gas in them since I know they will have long periods of no use.

If you are going not going to be splitting live oak or equivalent, save some money and go with a 25 ton. Oak is not all the same. Check specs - all other non "live oak" is considerably less dense and can be handled with the 25 ton version. I also have some pin oak and post oak and, while they make great firewood, they are much easier to split.

Check cycle speed and if the handle locks in the in or out position while the piston resets.

 

[WranglerX]

I bought a old DUERR splitter (made by MDT in the late 90's) that had blown Briggs & Stratton motor, replaced motor with cheap Harbor Freight Predator because it was cheaper to buy new motor than try to get parts for the B&S, long story quite short (here).... Almost any wheeled splitter can be towed to anyplace you can take tractor, I prefer horizontal splitting for most smaller stuff I can lift into splitter BECAUSE, I have found with vertical splitting large rounds the actual splitter has a seemingly stability problem.... It "seems" to want to topple sideways (never actually has yet) unless still hooked to vehicle for stability... So on really large rounds I bring them out to splitter (with tractor) to where I can leave splitter coupled to JEEP for stability, and no there are areas on my property it is not convenient to take Jeep into to use splitter vertically.... Other's results/opinion in vertical splitting may vary. .. But I am not a real fan of that, I just do it if rounds (12-24 inches diameter or more ) are to big to handle horizontal splitting... I have even found if rounds are bigger than I can handle "ripping" them with chainsaw is a option.... Sometimes half a round is easier to handle and ls less strain on splitter...

 

[Bearsixty7]

I want something towable and gas powered. I’d like to split the wood where the tree falls. I don’t think I’d use more than 2 or 3 cords a year, but I want something that can handle larger rounds and not get twisted up trying. Reading older threads here people mention vertical splitting, I’m for that!

I haven’t been here much lately, I hope everyone is well.

You might be better off renting. Let the rental place deal with the maintenance and storage.
The place I rented from in MO. had a 37ton and it worked great. I had all the wood cut and ready to split so it only took a couple hours.

 

[IXLR8]

You might be better off renting. Let the rental place deal with the maintenance and storage.
The place I rented from in MO. had a 37ton and it worked great. I had all the wood cut and ready to split so it only took a couple hours.

^^^ This is what I did, until the rental places near me closed down. You just need to have a flexible schedule to work with the rental agency.

 

[ericm979]

Some people like the horizontal/vertical splitter in vertical mode and some don't. I tried it once and hated it. Working close to the ground you have no leverage with your back and legs so it's all upper body strength. My back and legs are a lot stronger than my upper body. I can lift a pretty good sized round onto the splitter in horizontal mode and then work with it at a comfortable height. If it's too heavy to lift I cut lengthwise with the chainsaw most of the way through (the fastest cutting direction) and use a splitting maul to finish it. Really big wood may need to be sectioned into 6 or 8 chunks.

With the H/V splitter the tire and wheel intrude on where the operator stands. The models with larger wheels and tires (like mine) are the worst. On the other hand the taller wheels and tires get the work area up to where its comfortable for taller people. Even the largest tires are only rated for 45 mph though you may be able to put highway tires on.

 

[alexinPA]

Not sure why you guys don't like vertical. I split small rounds in horizontal, but big ones 20" or more I just roll to the splitter, stand it up and push it under. Than I roll another one, seat on it and start splitting. Easy to change from horizontal position to vertical.

 

[TxSteveS]

Not sure why you guys don't like vertical. I split small rounds in horizontal, but big ones 20" or more I just roll to the splitter, stand it up and push it under. Than I roll another one, seat on it and start splitting. Easy to change from horizontal position to vertical.

Yep - I do the same - smaller pieces horizontal and larger (~18+") roll to the splitter and slide them on the end plate. Split in half then you can take pie slices out one after the other on one half as you slightly rotate it and split. It makes nice consistent split pieced.

When I'm working with my splitter it's usually attached to the Gator so moving from horizontal/vertical is easy and secure. My splitter also has a pin that locks it in the horizontal or vertical position.

 

[ericm979]

I already explained why I don't like H/V splitters in vertical mode. It's great that it works for you; it doesn't work for me. Telling me how great it is for you won't change that. People are different.

Nearly all the log splitters at the more affordable end of the market are H/V models. So its not like you have to choose when you're buying. You can try it both ways and see what works for you.

A lot of people have had good results with the County Line splitters from TSC. Mine's an Oregon which has been fine. I got it used and their new prices seem kind of high now so I'm not sure I'd recommend a new one. But it's pushed through some really tough wood without complaint.

If you get an H/V splitter and use it in horizontal mode at all, get a log table that bolts to one side. You can use it to stage smaller rounds or to stash part of a round while you split the other part. I still end up often putting chunks on the ground while I split another chunk, but the table saves some of the picking up off the ground.

 

[WranglerX]

I already explained why I don't like H/V splitters in vertical mode. It's great that it works for you; it doesn't work for me. Telling me how great it is for you won't change that. People are different.

Nearly all the log splitters at the more affordable end of the market are H/V models. So its not like you have to choose when you're buying. You can try it both ways and see what works for you.

A lot of people have had good results with the County Line splitters from TSC. Mine's an Oregon which has been fine. I got it used and their new prices seem kind of high now so I'm not sure I'd recommend a new one. But it's pushed through some really tough wood without complaint.

If you get an H/V splitter and use it in horizontal mode at all, get a log table that bolts to one side. You can use it to stage smaller rounds or to stash part of a round while you split the other part. I still end up often putting chunks on the ground while I split another chunk, but the table saves some of the picking up off the groun

Agree 100%...

 

[dodge man]

What make is it?

The splitter in my picture above is a Yardmax

 

[oosik]

When we first got here - heated with firewood. 100% Ponderosa pine. Had a 28 ton Didier horizontal splitter. After ten years - went from firewood to pellets. Learned in a real big hurry - my biggest pines were a real PITA to manhandle and split. Had the biggest ones logged off and then used the smaller ones ( 18" to 24" on the butt ) for firewood.

A quality splitter - well maintained - will retain a majority of its value when it's time to sell.

 

[Soloz2]

My countyline from TSC has been a solid unit and has split cord after cord. It’s easy to start and works well. It works vertically, but I almost never use it this way.

I pull it around my property, but the wheel bearings can’t handle speed and I think it’s rated at like 25mph max so it should be trailered for any distance. I’ve looked at some of the pro ones and while they are amazing, I could literally buy 8 or 9 of what I have and it works well.