Wood Splitter - Iron & Oak - Need feedback

[bjcsc]

ddivinia: What is your aux flow rate and max pressure? A major consideration is what you can actually run at a fair speed, i.e. you don't want to have to be at full power (and thus full flow/pressure) in order to split efficiently...

 

[ddivinia]

ddivinia: What is your aux flow rate and max pressure? A major consideration is what you can actually run at a fair speed, i.e. you don't want to have to be at full power (and thus full flow/pressure) in order to split efficiently...

I have a John Deere 4720 which is rated at 17.1 gpm listed 2500 PSI

I also have a JD 5525 which is rated at 18.7 gpm and max 2860 PSI. The 5525 has ePTO which may or may not impact hyrdaulics. I guess I could get a PTO powered one and run it in ePTO mode.

Man, I really don't want another engine to maintain. I guess if it is a Honda, I could live with it...

D.

 

[Rara Avis]

I am looking to get a wood splitter. This one has my attention:

http://www.braveproducts.com/uploadedfiles/specsheets/tmvh02_03.pdf

I do not split that much wood. I hate renting stuff - it always seems broken. I hate borrowing stuff - well, you know why.

I like the looks of this one: no additional tires or engines to maintain.

I have a John Deere 4720 with one rear valve. I guess I will have to bungee the lever on and use the valve on the splitter.

Does anybody have any experience with this model?

Any other ones to consider?

Thanks,
D.

BRAVE and Iron & Oak Log Splitter RECALLS!!!

Additional Incidents Prompt Log Splitter Recall Expansion by Brave Products; Could Pose Serious Injury Risk

 

[bjcsc]

I have a John Deere 4720 which is rated at 17.1 gpm listed 2500 PSI

I also have a JD 5525 which is rated at 18.7 gpm and max 2860 PSI. The 5525 has ePTO which may or may not impact hyrdaulics. I guess I could get a PTO powered one and run it in ePTO mode.

Man, I really don't want another engine to maintain. I guess if it is a Honda, I could live with it...

D.

Considering that, you'll easily be able to run a splitter with just the tractor hydraulics. Not having to maintain another engine was a factor in my decision, too.

 

[dmccarty]

D.,

In the Fall of 2006 I bought a 3PH hydraulic log splitter from TSC. I think the splitter is made by SpeeCo. The splitter goes vertical or horizontal. I have split 4-6 cords with it since we use firewood to heat the house. Works fine. A bit slow but that is good. I don't want a fast splitter to catch a body part.

Most of the time I'm working the splitter stand up which is easy on the back. There are other spillters both tractor mount and engine powered one where you are bent over splitting wood. Not fun at all. I can split wood for 6-8 hours and not have a problem. Can't do that with a Be Bent Over All Day splitter.

Mine is running of the Power Beyond ports on my JD4700.

I THINK I looked at the brand you mention but I could not justify the cost.

Later,
Dan

 

[Reg]

My experience of mechanical/hydraulic splitters is that they can turn out enough to REALLY screw up my back. It isn't the lifting, it is the STOOPING that gets me. I have a vertical/horizontal unit from Home Despot and the only way I can use that for any length of time is in vertical mode with the first log stood on end for use as a seat.

OTOH, if I get a load of tree lengths I can cut cut cut until the saw runs out of gas. Then split with a maul until that little batch is cleared, then stack 'em, fill up the (now cold) saw and start all over. I can do that all day long several days in a row and the back and shoulders aren't TOO bad.

BTW, the vert/horiz splitter has been at the SIL's place for a few years now (-:

 

[dmccarty]

Reg,

I can't stand bending over a splitter. Spent a summer doing it as a job and swore to never do it again. For the first couple of years at the new house I split wood with a maul but I could only work for 2-3 hours before I was done. And splitting touch wood was really hard work. I could get alot done and in oak I think using the maul is as fast as the hydraulic splitter. But with the splitter I can get close to a cord of wood done in a day. I can't do that with the maul.

I split some hickory last year on the hydraulic splitter that was a real pain. I think I would still be splitting with the maul if I was doing it MANually.

The TSC splitter has legs that the beam rests on. For me, its at the perfect height. The only time I have to bend over is to pick up the round or stack the cord wood. Stacking kills my back.

I almost bought the Troybilt splitter at Lowes but I'm glad I did not do so.

But right now the house is warm for $10 per month so my wallet is happy.

Later,
Dan

 

[ddivinia]

Reg,


I almost bought the Troybilt splitter at Lowes but I'm glad I did not do so.

But right now the house is warm for $10 per month so my wallet is happy.

Later,
Dan

What did you not like about the Troy Bilt?

D.

 

[jake98]

I bought one of those Troy-Builts and am happy with it. A friend of mine says there's a splitter that has a double ended wedge that moves back and forth, so you can split on the return cycle. Sorry I don't know the brand, but that would be the one I'd check into.
Jake

 

[sjcmba]

I have the American MSR (horizontal) Log splitter, wood conveyor and firewood processor by American CLS
three point with a 20 gpm pto pump on my JD 3320. I have used the vertical and am not thrilled with it as you must either work on the ground, or hold the wood on the small platform while it splits. Also, you cannot use the slip on 4 way wedge with the vertical models.

I have equipped my splitter with the "pans" which catch the wood after splitting so it does not fall to the ground and guides so the wood does not fall off the beam before/while splitting. I also have the 4 way wedge. I had it made with a 36" opening to accomodate longer wood used in my wood boler. I like the 3ph model as I can raise of lower the splitter to my desired height. It is plenty powerful and as fast as I need it. I have not used too many other splitters, but I would not want one much faster.

I compared the American to the Timberwolf. Although the Timberwolf looked like a great machine, I could not justify the additional price for the Timbewolf. I just did not see the added value. Also, Timberwolf had a maximum 26" opening, which I felt was too small given I have an outdoor boiler. I believe Timberwolf now goes larger than 26", but not on 3ph models(?).

I am very pleased with the American. Nice fit and finish. I priced the 3ph model against one with an engine. Even with the PTO pump, the 3ph model was much cheaper.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions.