The old log splitter thing again

[acohen100]

So I just started splitting my own wood this year. I bought an older, used, fixed, horizontal splitter for about $600. Gets the job done but after splitting about 2-3 cords I now officially have sciatica from lifting all of the heavy logs onto the beam.

To save my back I looked at a vertical splitter but I am bothered that you can't really do 4-way with the vertical design and the wedge on the ram. It seems that the only compromise is a log lift but those are then pretty darn pricey.

I have looked at Timberwolf but they are all lower TON ratings, smaller engines and priced way over other models. Although they seem to be good quality they also seem like a bad bargain.

Seems like Honda engines are preferred but different models with the same engine offer all different ranges of power, and I have no idea why - for example, the TW with a 5.5 Honda gives you 20 tons of force and a Northstar with the same engine rates at 30 tons.

After looking at all of them the Northern Tool model seems the best combination of power, design and cost.

Comments?

 

[Ductape]

My two cents......

I have an MTD Yard Machines splitter and love it. It has the 5.5 Honda and rated at 27 ton. This is the same as the Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet at the big box stores. It splits everything i've thrown at it including knotty elm. Perhaps one of the things i like most is the height. Its at a very comfortable height to work at. I've almost never used it verticle, since for me, its just too darned uncomfortable hunching down on the ground to work. I split alot of big stuff, and whatever is too big to lift..... i roll the rounds up a couple 2x6s i lean on it like a ramp. Of course, i get spoiled whenever my FIL is around, since his is always happy to fire up his Bobcat and set the chunks on the splitter with a set of tongs.

I looked at the Timberwolfs, and they are very well made. They have grease fittings everywhere and are very serviceable. The cheapest Timberwolf was nearly a thousand dollars over what i paid for my splitter. I found that the Timberwolfs sat much too low for me to comfortably work at. Splitting any amound of wood close to knee height left me with a killer backache. I also found that, though the four way wedge is nice, it doesn't suit splitting large rounds very well. And, having a peice that is big enough to be split many times would leave you lifting the piece back ahead of the wedge to be split again..... over and over. No fun with rounds two to three feet across. With the wedge on the ram, the piece of wood stays right in front of you, where you want it. One great thing about the Timberwolfs (and similar), is they are good for production work, where you are splitting consistantly sized wood and dropping it off the end of the splitter onto a conveyor.

I've not operated a Huskee fron TSC, but i've read lots of good feedback on them on other forums. The sell up to 35 ton, but seeing what i've done on my 27..... i can't possibly imagine i'd need anything that big.

Whatever you think you'll buy....... i strongly recommend trying it before you buy. Make sure its comfortable for YOU to operate. As far as not having a four way wedge, i find is more technique than anything. I start a split, back the ram up a little..... flip the piece of wood end for end and rotate it 90degrees at the same time. Then drive the wedge in again and i've got a piece split in four pieces in less than a full stroke. Much quicker than it sounds.

One mod i did to my splitter..... made a "shelf" that bolts to the far side of the splitter. When doing pieces that take multiple splits, it gives the wood a place to rest so i'm not constantly picking the same piece of wood off the ground and lifting it back onto the splitter. Another real back saver.

 

[Ductape]

I found a few pics from a few years ago. For your aching back, you need a FIL (or neighbor) like mine. Any excuse to get the Bobcat outta the shop! When i'm splitting alone, i'll roll a chunk like this up my 2x6 ramps onto the splitter no problem. Notice my "prototype" shelf made out of plywood. It worked so well a made it permanent.

 

[ultrarunner]

Great Pictures... I think I will add a shelf to mine.

Thanks for the idea!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I like having the option of splitting "vertical", but I avoid doing so as much as possible.

My first splitter was a 3-point mounted type with vert/horiz. option. I didn't care for having the tractor so close to my work, as well as having the tractor sitting there at fast idle all day long. I went with a 27t Troy Bilt (w/Honda engine) I also don't care much for jumping on and off the tractor while using a loader to put big logs on the splitter. That's where the vertical position comes in handy. I can roll those logs into position ON THE GROUND.

"Tonnage" ratings vary, depending on (A) size/type of cylinder, (B) cycling speed, (C)pump/engine size. Some splitters use a smaller engine with a slower rate pump, yet still have the capacity of some higher powered, faster units. In the end, I can't keep up all day with a high speed splitter, so the smaller engines, with their lower fuel consumption, seem to fit me best.

The "shelf" is a must. Many splitters come with a small version. A larger one is very handy.

I went from a 33 ton 3-point mounted splitter to a 27 ton trailer type. I've never missed that other "6 tons".

Unless you're using a very stout splitter, or always splitting relatively easy-to-split wood, the "X" wedge isn't really a factor. I've used one (a rental) and found on BIG logs it's an inconvenience. Smaller logs, just cycle wedge enough to split, back off, turn log 90 degrees, and cycle again.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

there's a guy up the road from me that has a splitter that he added a hydraulic arm to......he just swings it over, picks up the log and then swings it in to place........his was a pretty simple design.......

 

[Farmwithjunk]

there's a guy up the road from me that has a splitter that he added a hydraulic arm to......he just swings it over, picks up the log and then swings it in to place........his was a pretty simple design.......

No pictures to share, but I did the same thing with my 3-point mounted model. I removed it before the splitter was sold. I have plans to install it on the new splitter as time permits.

 

[SPYDERLK]

My two cents......

I have an MTD Yard Machines splitter and love it. It has the 5.5 Honda and rated at 27 ton. This is the same as the Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet at the big box stores. It splits everything i've thrown at it including knotty elm. Perhaps one of the things i like most is the height. Its at a very comfortable height to work at. I've almost never used it verticle, since for me, its just too darned uncomfortable hunching down on the ground to work. I split alot of big stuff, and whatever is too big to lift..... i roll the rounds up a couple 2x6s i lean on it like a ramp. Of course, i get spoiled whenever my FIL is around, since his is always happy to fire up his Bobcat and set the chunks on the splitter with a set of tongs.

I looked at the Timberwolfs, and they are very well made. They have grease fittings everywhere and are very serviceable. The cheapest Timberwolf was nearly a thousand dollars over what i paid for my splitter. I found that the Timberwolfs sat much too low for me to comfortably work at. Splitting any amound of wood close to knee height left me with a killer backache. I also found that, though the four way wedge is nice, it doesn't suit splitting large rounds very well. And, having a peice that is big enough to be split many times would leave you lifting the piece back ahead of the wedge to be split again..... over and over. No fun with rounds two to three feet across. With the wedge on the ram, the piece of wood stays right in front of you, where you want it. One great thing about the Timberwolfs (and similar), is they are good for production work, where you are splitting consistantly sized wood and dropping it off the end of the splitter onto a conveyor.

I've not operated a Huskee fron TSC, but i've read lots of good feedback on them on other forums. The sell up to 35 ton, but seeing what i've done on my 27..... i can't possibly imagine i'd need anything that big.

Whatever you think you'll buy....... i strongly recommend trying it before you buy. Make sure its comfortable for YOU to operate. As far as not having a four way wedge, i find is more technique than anything. I start a split, back the ram up a little..... flip the piece of wood end for end and rotate it 90degrees at the same time. Then drive the wedge in again and i've got a piece split in four pieces in less than a full stroke. Much quicker than it sounds.

One mod i did to my splitter..... made a "shelf" that bolts to the far side of the splitter. When doing pieces that take multiple splits, it gives the wood a place to rest so i'm not constantly picking the same piece of wood off the ground and lifting it back onto the splitter. Another real back saver.

I think youve put this very well, about the true value of the "bells and whistles" vs what can easily be accomplished without. I find that often a bell or whistle that is nice to have, ends up being in the way in some fashion during the many instances that you dont need it. When I built my horizontal splitter I placed the top rail at about 24" knowing that changing the height up or down acouple inches would be easy. Turns out 24" works pretty darn good, allowing the height of small pieces added to reach my fingertips to be steadied while splitting, and still being low enuf to use a ramp of reasonable steepness for big pieces. I would certainly like to have vertical capability, but in sizing the H/Vs up I am not satisfied with the work station height and position provided in the horizontal setup. Certain ergonomic trade offs are made in allowing both positions, and they impact mainly on convenient horizontal use. Vert option would be nice, but its not very hard to get around the need for it if youve got a tractor/loader.
larry

 

[scott_vt]

So I just started splitting my own wood this year. I bought an older, used, fixed, horizontal splitter for about $600. Gets the job done but after splitting about 2-3 cords I now officially have sciatica from lifting all of the heavy logs onto the beam.

To save my back I looked at a vertical splitter but I am bothered that you can't really do 4-way with the vertical design and the wedge on the ram. It seems that the only compromise is a log lift but those are then pretty darn pricey.

I have looked at Timberwolf but they are all lower TON ratings, smaller engines and priced way over other models. Although they seem to be good quality they also seem like a bad bargain.

Seems like Honda engines are preferred but different models with the same engine offer all different ranges of power, and I have no idea why - for example, the TW with a 5.5 Honda gives you 20 tons of force and a Northstar with the same engine rates at 30 tons.

After looking at all of them the Northern Tool model seems the best combination of power, design and cost.

Comments?

Good Mornin Acohen,
Im not really sure I should even be commenting on splitters because I have only owned mine for the past year ! So with that said Im certainly no expert and did the whole thing all these years with two mauls, 8 lb and 6 lb, along with some wedges and a 10 lb sledge

I bought my splitter from an HD rental locally. I payed about $735 used, although the unit only had 100 rental hours on it which I equate to about 70 hours of actual use. A friend that works there gave me the tip on the unit going up for sale and I jumped on it !

I really like the unit because of its vertical option, at 57 I cant lift 25" oak rounds, heck I dont think I ever could ! What I find that works for me is, quartering a bunch of these monsters, and then tilting the splitter up in the horizontal to finish the job ! Im pretty a one man operation here so I have to go with what works ! In the horiz pos the splitter height is about 34", which is not bad IMO !

As a side note I really like Ductapes' work platform, and I might look into fabricating something like that, but make it easily removable in case it got in the way !

Back to the splitter, it has an 8 hp Honda and looking into the manual I believe it generates 27 tons of force, which honestly will split anything, and if it doesnt split it, it will just cut through it, crotch, knots etc...

Im also aware that if you bought the same unit new your in the neighborhood of $2500... ouch

Anyways, thats some of my feelings on this Speedco unit.....

 

[AKwelder]

In this neck of the woods, there is no large hardwoods, so everyone has gone to the little electric units that are less than $ 400.00 new. I had my doubt until my father in law split 30 cord over 3 winters and never had to use ear plugs. A guy might use one of these small units and rent a large unit for big rounds.

By the way, 3 inches of snow this morning and it is staying. winter is here

 

[IXLR8]

In this neck of the woods, there is no large hardwoods, so everyone has gone to the little electric units that are less than $ 400.00 new.

I have heard they are not bad little units. What brand does your FIL have?

By the way, 3 inches of snow this morning and it is staying. winter is here

AARRgggg... say it is not so!! I am NOT ready, neither mentally nor wood pile.

 

[AKwelder]

my FIL has a ryobi and so does a good friend. I have split 28 inch birch with out a problem, and you can even do it in the shop/garage with out worry. No fumes. One of the guys at work does it in the living room in front of the fire place as he needs wood. It is amazing how much of a pop you get from when the outside temp goes below -40 degrees.

 

[TDVT]

I read the original post earlier but didn't have time to reply. We have looked at quite a few & saw the Troy-Bilt version of the one Ductape has at Lowes for $1400. I think it had a bigger cylinder (4.5" X 24") than the comparably priced Northstar & also had a Honda engine. Looked like the best deal & no shipping.

We haven't gone to pick it up yet, glad to hear Ductape likes his.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I read the original post earlier but didn't have time to reply. We have looked at quite a few & saw the Troy-Bilt version of the one Ductape has at Lowes for $1400. I think it had a bigger cylinder (4.5" X 24") than the comparably priced Northstar & also had a Honda engine. Looked like the best deal & no shipping.

We haven't gone to pick it up yet, glad to hear Ductape likes his.

Same one as mine! I'm very pleased with it. I just finished splitting a pick up truck load of white oak logs, averaging 20"+ diameter. The 27T Troy Bilt didn't even so much as grunt. You'll be happy with it I'm sure.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I think youve put this very well, about the true value of the "bells and whistles" vs what can easily be accomplished without. I find that often a bell or whistle that is nice to have, ends up being in the way in some fashion during the many instances that you dont need it. When I built my horizontal splitter I placed the top rail at about 24" knowing that changing the height up or down acouple inches would be easy. Turns out 24" works pretty darn good, allowing the height of small pieces added to reach my fingertips to be steadied while splitting, and still being low enuf to use a ramp of reasonable steepness for big pieces. I would certainly like to have vertical capability, but in sizing the H/Vs up I am not satisfied with the work station height and position provided in the horizontal setup. Certain ergonomic trade offs are made in allowing both positions, and they impact mainly on convenient horizontal use. Vert option would be nice, but its not very hard to get around the need for it if youve got a tractor/loader.
larry

The Troy Bilt 27T splitter w/horiz/vert. rail has a working height (at rail) of 25-1/2" in horizontal position. I'd wouldn't care if it was an inch or two higher. (I'm 6'5") All in all, I'd think 1-1/2" shouldn't hardly even noticable and NOT having vertical position would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[SPYDERLK]

The Troy Bilt 27T splitter w/horiz/vert. rail has a working height (at rail) of 25-1/2" in horizontal position. I'd wouldn't care if it was an inch or two higher. (I'm 6'5") All in all, I'd think 1-1/2" shouldn't hardly even noticable and NOT having vetical position would be a deal breaker for me.

Havent seen any that low. Certainly not the one pictured above in the thread that is supposed to be the same as. 25 is a good work height.
Then theres the problem of the work station being crowded against the wheels when horizontal.

I like having the option of splitting "vertical", but I avoid doing so as much as possible.

The vert option is nice, tho not to the point that I would willingly pay for in every move by it making the horizontal mode I would want to use most, less friendly.
larry

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Havent seen any that low. Certainly not the one pictured above in the thread that is supposed to be the same as. 25 is a good work height.
Then theres the problem of the work station being crowded against the wheels when horizontal.

The vert option is nice, tho not to the point that I would willingly pay for in every move by it making the horizontal mode I would want to use most, less friendly.
larry

The wheels are the same distance from the rail surface in both vertical OR horizontal position. Not "less friendly" in EITHER position. The orientation to the wheels is all relative to the pivot point and where the axle is located front to rear. Done properly, like this one seems to be, there's no crowding issues at all. All things being equal, even if the wheels WERE closer to the rail in vetical position, that has no effect on the height of the wheels in regard to the height of the rail. As I mentioned, I don't like using the splitter in vertical position, but it's extremely handy to be able to do so when the need arises.

Another reason why I like the pivoting rail, it swings up out of the way of servicing the motor.

 

[acohen100]

Thanks for all of the replies. I am starting to narrow it down a bit. Here are my choices:

Choice #1: Cub Cadet 27 ton H/V. Honda GCV 160cc (4.4hp). Nice looking unit with a lot of nice features. Same MTD design as Huskee, Troy-Bilt, Yard Machines, etc. Best thing here is that I can buy it fully assembled, filled with fluid, drive it home and start splitting. The ONLY thing I don't like about it is the engine - essentially bottom of the line residential/light-duty 4.4HP engine. That engine may be a deal-breaker for me. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100596926

Choice #2: Northstar 30 ton H/V. Honda GX 200cc (5.5hp). Also very nice looking. Shipped, it winds up costing about the same as the Cub but needs several hrs of assembly plus hydraulic fluid. I really like the commercial grade (GX) engine and assume this would get me at least another 5-10 years service out of it. I'm not crazy about the idea of waiting 2-3 weeks and then assembling it myself. NorthStar Horizontal/Vertical Log Splitter — 30-Ton, 5.5 HP | Log Splitters | Northern Tool + Equipment

Choice #3: Harbor Freight 30 ton fixed horizontal with hydraulic lift. Subaru Robin Engine (9hp). This seems to be the ideal design. I really like the hydraulic lift. Same problem as with Northstar - shipping and assembly. However, there are a few unknowns - Harbor Freight service? The other is the Robin engine. I don't know anything about their quality and can not find any info online. Must be cheaper than Honda since the unit seems underpriced. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96907

I am leaning heavily towards the Northstar just because it seems to be the best quality and I don't want to have to buy another splitter for a long time. I also know that Northern has great service.

 

[miker2702]

i built one from a old 3 point unit. adding a motor,axle
tank and i like a seperate unit as well. mine sits only
about 2.5 foot off the ground. for large pieces i have
made a ramp to roll the larger pieces up to the splitter when working by my self which seems to be about 90
percent of the time. ive noticed after a trailer load of
splitting im still sore ramp or no ramp help or no help!

 

[ToadHill]

When I have a large round that I don't want to lift I use the FEL on my tractor, roll it in, move the tractor to a place parallel to the splitter move the bucket to the right hight, then I can just swing the round onto the splitter without any lifting. The pivot action doesn't bother my bad back at all.