wolf ridge log splitters (opinions)

[edgarrian]

I was getting into the same position, older, small big box splitter for 10yrs, needed something with a lift and table. I chose to build my own. I gathered ideas from the TW-LS and WR-28C to create my version.

WR-28C & 35C – Compact Commercial Log Splitter
Tech Specs, and (my version)
Honda GX390 13HP engine (17.5hp vanguard)
12 volt electric start with Interstate battery
10 amp charge coil for running auxiliary 12V items (17amp)
22 GPM hydraulic pump (23gpm)
25 gallon hydraulic tank with cartridge return filter (20gal)
Prince auto cycle valve (prince, manual retract with detent)
Magnum big bore package with 12 inch tall push block (4.5" cyl, 12"sq push block)
Bronze self lube slides on push block (steel slides with grease fittings)
In-house welded & fabricated splitter beam (w8x40 I-beam)
31 inch beam height
24 inch stroke length (30 or 36 inch optional) (24in)
Hydraulic log lift included – 450lb lift capacity
Hydraulic wedge height adjustment
Optional sorting table extension available (43" x 43" sorting table, 1.5-2" open space between slats)
Optional hydraulic oil cooler package available (no)
Removable 4 way wedge included (no, 1045 bevel edge knife 12-24")
NEW! Optional Power Beyond package (yes/no, open center power beyond exits the auxiliary valves, into the main valve)
Includes 2 section hydraulic pump (2 stage)
Includes hydraulic oil cooler package (no)
Control valve with forward / neutral / momentary reverse (no)
20 foot hydraulic hoses with flat face connectors included (no)
Removable draw bar with 2 inch hitch ball coupler (hitch reciever both ends)
45 MPH recommended max towing speed
4.8″ x 12″ rims, 21” radial tires, Dexter hubs and spindles (old hay rake hubs, spindles and wheels)
Fits into pick up truck bed or small trailer, 4′ x 8′ over all size
Weight: 1400 LB (1900lb)

Things I wanted:
Electric start

Large hydraulic tank. 20gal tank with 23gpm pump, long sweep fittings, creates about a 30deg hyd fluid temp rise over ambient.

A large outfeed table 43x43. My stove handles 23" pcs. It's nice to have enough room to run a log through, yet also room to pile the splits temporarily. Slats and all other parts spaced 1.5" apart lets bark and debris fall through.

Heavy duty log lift, with a smooth surface and no braces to get in the way. Also acts as a work table. A heavy pc can be slid around easily.

Comfortable beam height. 31" is about right. No bending or leaning over.

Hydraulic controls that are centered. Can operate while splitting on one side, or while loading logs on the lift on the other.

Hydraulic main valve is not auto, but manual retract with detent. I didn't see a benefit going with an auto retract, with added cost and more plumbing. Walking away stacking or what ever while the thing is splitting didn't seem right.

An extendable blade that can be raised to sever a white oak round clear through. Blade is hardened 1045 bevel edge like we use on loader buckets. Previously I spent sooo so much time trying to get white oak and all it's nibs to break apart. At the moment not using a 4way, and not sure how that would work on white oak that holds together any way it can.

An area where a round can be cradled, like a work station, regardless where the lift is up or down.

A large push block size with something on it's face to grip with. No pcs slide away from it because it's too smooth or the grip is weak.

4.5 dia cylinder, a compromise between high tonnage and high speed. 2000psi = 16ton, 3000psi = 24ton, 3500psi = 28ton. So far the lower rate is working.

The machine is heavy. This isn't something to wheel around by hand. A WR-28c and TW-LS are 1400lb, mine is 1900lb, a County Line is around 600lb. I could move the county line by hand, barely, not the others.

View attachment 4434196View attachment 4434197View attachment 4434198View attachment 4434199

Impressive. Thats all i can say. Very impressive

 

[CalG]

I "almost" outfitted my Timber Wolf splitter with a log lift. At age 73, all the lifting was getting to wear me down.

But instead, I use the FEL on one of the tractors to bring the rounds up to "table height", and I also started cutting to a significantly shorter length. (was 24-26", now 12-14". )

Plus, I enjoy break down splitting with sledge and wedge ;-)

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I "almost" outfitted my Timber Wolf splitter with a log lift. At age 73, all the lifting was getting to wear me down.

But instead, I use the FEL on one of the tractors to bring the rounds up to "table height", and I also started cutting to a significantly shorter length. (was 24-26", now 12-14". )

Plus, I enjoy break down splitting with sledge and wedge ;-)

I almost outfitted my Timber Wolf with a log lift too, but I found it was MUCH easier to cut the logs to firewood length over something that's ALREADY at a decent height in the first place, like a trailer. That way it's very easy to just roll the rounds right onto my splitters beam, easy peasy.

BTW, my wife and me, both just love our Timber Wolf splitter!

SR

 

[4570Man]

A log lift is a huge work saver I wouldn’t buy a splitter without one. Even if you are working with smaller wood that’s easily lifted it’s a convenient working table.

 

[edgarrian]

I almost outfitted my Timber Wolf with a log lift too, but I found it was MUCH easier to cut the logs to firewood length over something that's ALREADY at a decent height in the first place, like a trailer. That way it's very easy to just roll the rounds right onto my splitters beam, easy peasy.

BTW, my wife and me, both just love our Timber Wolf splitter!

SR

I had looked at timber wolf as well. They do look like good splitters

 

[m7040]

For me the 35C Wolfe Ridge splitter is a matter of convenience The old conventional splitter works just fine and can do the same thing with more effort on my part.
Having a hydraulic operated horizontal wedge is a great tool to get 4 way splits of equal size
Also being able to mount the 6 way splitter head is a great time saver
The log lift I use to load up with a big stack of rounds that can easily be accessed and split without have to to move saving time and effort again. Lining up the big logs in front of the log lift with the excavator allows me to just roll them on the log table with minimum effort
The front table and grate also saves time by having cleaner splits that can be pushed into the tractor bucket easily. Less bending down and picking up
The speed is plenty fast and usually only run the engine at less than full speed
The auto recycle for the cylinder is convenient and saves time because I can get the next round ready while in retract mode and ready to hit it again
The electric start is convenient with no more pull starts
Being able to tow from either end is also great and allow me to tow from the engine side with the Kubota X1100 and keep it hooked up while working it. Usually tow hooked up in the front to position it easily and return it to the barn

Being in my 80's I need all the help I can get

 

[edgarrian]

For me the 35C Wolfe Ridge splitter is a matter of convenience The old conventional splitter works just fine and can do the same thing with more effort on my part.
Having a hydraulic operated horizontal wedge is a great tool to get 4 way splits of equal size
Also being able to mount the 6 way splitter head is a great time saver
The log lift I use to load up with a big stack of rounds that can easily be accessed and split without have to to move saving time and effort again. Lining up the big logs in front of the log lift with the excavator allows me to just roll them on the log table with minimum effort
The front table and grate also saves time by having cleaner splits that can be pushed into the tractor bucket easily. Less bending down and picking up
The speed is plenty fast and usually only run the engine at less than full speed
The auto recycle for the cylinder is convenient and saves time because I can get the next round ready while in retract mode and ready to hit it again
The electric start is convenient with no more pull starts
Being able to tow from either end is also great and allow me to tow from the engine side with the Kubota X1100 and keep it hooked up while working it. Usually tow hooked up in the front to position it easily and return it to the barn

Being in my 80's I need all the help I can get

View attachment 4454034View attachment 4454035View attachment 4454036View attachment 4454037

I hope im still splitting when im in my 80s. Thats great to hear man. So im honestly between the 28X pro and the 28C. My local dealer who is about 45 away is selling the 28X pro for 8995 (no freight charge). The dealer thats in Ohio has the 28C but he wants an extra 200 for for freight. Making that purchase 10,450. Id say Im leaning more towards the 28X pro b/c of location and its essentially the same machine. The only difference between the two are cycle times b/c the 28C has a bigger pump. 28X pro has electric start, hydraulic adjustable wedge, log lift, auto cycle, and the tall push block.

Thanks for sharing pics of your splitter. It looks nice and well kept. I think your dog is ready to split some wood

 

[aba4430]

After some thinking, ordered the Iron and Oak 30 ton unit from Ace HW. It should be delivered to the store in about a week; drop shipped from the manufacturer. Went to Rural King and picked up 3X 5-gal pails of CAM2 AW32 hydraulic fluid. The splitter takes ~10.5 gallons.

 

[CalG]

For me the 35C Wolfe Ridge splitter is a matter of convenience The old conventional splitter works just fine and can do the same thing with more effort on my part.
Having a hydraulic operated horizontal wedge is a great tool to get 4 way splits of equal size
Also being able to mount the 6 way splitter head is a great time saver
The log lift I use to load up with a big stack of rounds that can easily be accessed and split without have to to move saving time and effort again. Lining up the big logs in front of the log lift with the excavator allows me to just roll them on the log table with minimum effort
The front table and grate also saves time by having cleaner splits that can be pushed into the tractor bucket easily. Less bending down and picking up
The speed is plenty fast and usually only run the engine at less than full speed
The auto recycle for the cylinder is convenient and saves time because I can get the next round ready while in retract mode and ready to hit it again
The electric start is convenient with no more pull starts
Being able to tow from either end is also great and allow me to tow from the engine side with the Kubota X1100 and keep it hooked up while working it. Usually tow hooked up in the front to position it easily and return it to the barn

Being in my 80's I need all the help I can get

View attachment 4454034View attachment 4454035View attachment 4454036View attachment 4454037

Love that run off table!

 

[CalG]

We should get a conversation going on the ins and outs of "push past the splitting wedge" vs "Split into a fixed plate".

I use the four way on everything that is not "knotty", and the run off table is always on....

Pushing into a base plate would take some adjustments for me...