Log Splitter Options

[stick]

I'm in the market for a log splitter. It is for the cabin, and I'd say I would burn around a cord a year including the outside firepit. I have used log splitters before, and I'm not looking for anything too crazy. However, I was wondering if anyone could chime in on the "must haves" and also identify the "watch out for..." items. The following are the questions running through my head:

- What HP

- What tonnage is a good one

- Do horizontal/vertical capabilities make a difference

That's about all I can think of unless others have additional items.

[Phred52]

Stick, To be quite honest with you, For that amount of wood, you would be far better off cutting the logs to length then renting a splitter for a saturday and split the pile. You're going to have a bunch $$$ invested and for the little bit of actual 'run time' it'll get yearly, you'll be investing more on upkeep, repairs (dried out carb gaskets, bad gas, etc. then there's cracked and damaged hydraulic hoses, etc, you'll need space for storage. Let the rental place own it, store it, and pay repair costs. I burn an average of 6-7 cords/year, even at that, I've done the math and can't justify owning a splitter. I rent, over the course of the year, about 4 or 5 times, usually during the week (rates are lower) and so there's not someone waiting to rent it next. And so far, I've not had a problem. Phred52

[stick]

A little more info on this situation. I have a brother nearby, and we are good friends with the neighbor. We have "common infrastructure" that we buy and then share amongst ourselves. The neighbor's got the pole-barn to store it, so I prefer the buying option. This will be my part of the common infrastructure part.

By the way, I love your signature line...very funny!

[Phred52]

Thanks stick, Yea, with the further info, buying then would probably be your best option. How does it work though when 1 person uses a piece of equipment and has a problem, doesn't do anything to correct the issue? Just so the 'next guy' doesn't get stuck footing the bill. That seems to be a issue with shared equipment. Good Luck. Phred52

[Whopper Stopper]

I have a splitter that was bought from Northern back in the early 80's. It has a 10 hp Briggs, 24 1/2 ton ram, high profile with a lift. With enough hands, it will do a cord an hour with o problem. I like the lift; it is very handy for the big blocks and for keeping wood ready in the on deck circle. I also like the high splitter being I am tall there is no bending over. It saves the back.

The power of the ram makes it so you very rarely stick a piece. As a matter of fact I can't think of the last time that happened. It cam with a 4 way splitting wedge and other than ash or the like it never was worth the extra money.

Down side of it is the raw weight. I can move it by hand but it is a bear. I usually use my four-wheeler to move it around. If I haul wood in there isn't a problem. Mine wasn't made for towing. By that I mean it doesn't have any leaf springs or anything. If I pulled it down the road it would literally shake apart. I always load mine on a trailer if I go more then a couple of miles.

Other than gas and oil and a couple of bolts my unit has never had any issues. I have never used a vertical splitter so I can't comment. Hope some part of this helps!

WS

[WaveWacker]

Between dad and myself we process a lot of wood every year as we both have outdoor wood burners. The splitter that we have I believe is a 10hp and 25ton and can tilt for use as a horz. or vert. splitter. We end up doing the most of our splitting in the vert. position and yeah the back lets you know you've been splitting all day with that. The only reason we do it is that with the outdoor burners we can cut up a lot of pieces that will fit and one can lift into the stove so we are only left with the big trunk pieces mainly to split. How big of pieces are you normally handling? For 1 cord of wood and if the pieces aren't typically all that bad to handle, you could probably get away with a straight horz. machine.

[BLACKJACK]

stick,

I ended up buying a splitter this winter because I got tired of renting one, then working your balls off, trying to get it back in four hours.

I ended up buying a Timberwolf TWP1, its a nice splitter, not cheap, but nice!! Do a search on 'Timberwolf wood splitters'. I wanted a horizontal only splitter, I don't like the vertical splitters, too hard on backs. And the splitters that work both ways, horizontal and vertical, if you're in the horizontal position, you're working over one of the wheels. If you do big rounds, then consider the log lift.

Options that I did get were the 4-way, log cradle, and output tray. Log cradle is nice, keeps the log on the beam. Output tray is very nice, less bending over!! 4-way speeds up slitting, is good if you're doing lots of 12-14 inch pieces, not really a necessity.

Really like the Honda engine, starts like a champ. Overall a very nice well made machine.

Do a search on 'arborsite', its a forum for woodcutters, lots of reviews of splitters.

Good luck!!! Let us know what you end up with.

[titelines]

We've got a Northern Star from Northern Tool. It's a 30-ton, but we only got it 'cause it was the last one/floor model and we got a screamin' deal on it. Otherwise. it would be overkill for what we use it for. Between me and my neighbors, it probably splits 10 cords a year. We've been splitting for 3 years now, and the only problem we've had has been small cracks in the hard rubber hydraulic tube. The newer ones come with a braided rubber, which looks to be much better. At any rate, I'd at least check out Northern Tool and see what they've got. I'd think a 20-ton would be more than enough for what you're doing. We've had good luck with ours, so the quality is not an issue.

[stick]

Are these tow-behind units capable of travelling 150 miles via highway? Or, does one need to trailer these?

[LightningBG]

Are these tow-behind units capable of travelling 150 miles via highway? Or, does one need to trailer these?

Check if it has suspension. If it doesn't you probably wont want to go very far. The vibration and bouncing can be very hard on them.

[Whopper Stopper]

The newer ones that I have looked at with suspension are definitely made to pull down the road. The torsion springs are something I have thought about adding to mine. My splitter is tall enough so there wouldn’t be a chance of forgetting it behind me when driving. I had a low profile one, years ago, that I did pull and twice I forgot about it when backing up. Not good!

WS

[bmc2b]

Anyone have experience with the smaller electric splitters?

[Whopper Stopper]

A neighbor had an electric one. It would have cracked Brazilian nuts but that was about it.

WS

[BLACKJACK]

Are these tow-behind units capable of travelling 150 miles via highway? Or, does one need to trailer these?

That is one downside to the splitter I got, the manual says max towing of 45 mph, and it has no suspension. I trailered it when I brought it home. But 98% of my splitting will be around home so its no problem.

[titelines]

The one I have cannot be towed. I haul it around the property and up/down the road with the ATV, but I trailer it if I need to go long distances.

[BLACKJACK]

stick, you should check out the web site that I recommended earlier, they have a thread going on '$1500 splitters'. A little heated, those guys have arguments too , but some good info on splitters.