DR Rapid Fire Rack & Pinion

[Pcoz88]

What mooseracing said"Hopefully this competition brings more innovation and features for the end user."!!!!!

 

[logbutcher]

For those not familiar with DR, the company backs their products unlike any other ( maybe LL Bean and TSC).
Most of their machines have a 6 month or 1 year TRIAL use. Think: use/abuse their tool for a year, then return it! Where can you get that kind of marketing ? Cost is always a factor, but: tech support, parts for years, and a no nonsense approach to customers solving ANY problems with products over ANY time.

If I was ready to buy, I'd go with DR if only for the quality of their customer support. ( True disclosure: I have no $$$ in Country Home Products/DR, or need anything now. ).

Think of buying Glock or Sig compared with S&W or offshore sidearms.

JMNSHO

 

[morewood]

I just looked at the DR flyer yesterday evening and saw this thing. I must say I have never used or seen this type of splitter. After 15-20 years of a MTD 22-ton splitter (have replaced the engine, but it has worked admirably) I have to split for more than just my father. I split for 4-5 households and a faster cycle time can do nothing but help. I have never used a horizontal splitter and would hesitate having to pick up some of the rounds that I have when I can simply stand them on end under the splitter head. If I had more help maybe it wouldn't matter. The best idea I see is the road/off-road towable model. I would love to be able to split where I cut and then move to household. It may be time to do more research on my part. Nice to see this was already being discussed when i got here.

Shea

PS. Anyone near WNC have one to look at, touch, etc?

 

[Circle B MN]

I just looked at the DR flyer yesterday evening and saw this thing. I must say I have never used or seen this type of splitter. After 15-20 years of a MTD 22-ton splitter (have replaced the engine, but it has worked admirably) I have to split for more than just my father. I split for 4-5 households and a faster cycle time can do nothing but help. I have never used a horizontal splitter and would hesitate having to pick up some of the rounds that I have when I can simply stand them on end under the splitter head. If I had more help maybe it wouldn't matter. The best idea I see is the road/off-road towable model. I would love to be able to split where I cut and then move to household. It may be time to do more research on my part. Nice to see this was already being discussed when i got here.

Shea

PS. Anyone near WNC have one to look at, touch, etc?

Regardless ofthe type of splitter you use, IMO you should never have to lift a round bigger than you are comfortable lifting. Noodle it. Faster than you can set a hoist, lift, chain, etc. you can noodle a round and have it be a manageable size.

 

[rwbinbc]

Another Clone

We went to tsc to pick up some bar oil and there set a up to 28 ton flywheel splitter looks like the dr and the super split just alot cheaper. It came in at $1699 with the work table. Alot cheaper just wondering if the parts are built as strong, If they will handle the wear and tear. I snapped a pic will try to add.........View attachment 198901

 

[046]

looks like Speeco is in the fast game too... patents must have expired

 

[rwbinbc]

I didn't see the other thread about these till now. I though I was breaking News.........

 

[mesupra]

My thoughts/questions on the Speedco/pro,

The engagement handle looks like its backwards? Is this for safety purposes?

Is it powered by a Kohler? Doesn't Speedco produce its own Honda Knockoff?

Is the towing hitch capable of being folded away?

How high is the working table?


The price point seems to be good enough to be able to make some major improvements without reaching the cost of a DR or SS.

 

[Hddnis]

We went to tsc to pick up some bar oil and there set a up to 28 ton flywheel splitter looks like the dr and the super split just alot cheaper. It came in at $1699 with the work table. Alot cheaper just wondering if the parts are built as strong, If they will handle the wear and tear. I snapped a pic will try to add.........View attachment 198901

That looks like it is getting really close to what some of the guys are saying they want in such a splitter.




Mr. HE

 

[mooseracing]

The price point seems to be good enough to be able to make some major improvements without reaching the cost of a DR or SS.

Same thing I am thinking, maybe I will finally get out of borrowing one.


First 2 things I would do is move the tongue to the other side of the beam and put real tires under it with a wider axle.

 

[sunfish]

That looks like it is getting really close to what some of the guys are saying they want in such a splitter.




Mr. HE

Except the table, log cradle suck and the engagement handle is backward. :msp_smile:

 

[CWME]

Except the table, log cradle suck and the engagement handle is backward. :msp_smile:

TSC sells sheet steel, make the table what you want it to be. Log cradle looks like it can be removed with taking out a few bolts. Another thought, Take existing log cradle and cut the top off even with the table. Apply previously mentioned sheet steel and you have a flat table. For me I would leave the off side cradle there to help rounds from rolling off the other side. You would still be able to work from the outside in as has been mentioned in the other thread.

Handle, Looks like a few minutes of modding in the shop and the handle could be flipped to pivot on the front bracket...

While your cutting stuff up take the lip off the front of the table.

Hitch is still in the way though... I could live with that for $900 savings over the DR + costs to ship the DR. Still don't know which one is best though. Thinking aloud.

 

[sunfish]

There is not a better way to do a table on these splitters. See photo below.

Easy to use and very efficient.

Edit to add; In the photo below, I had bolted the table on wrong where it's 3/4" below the beam. I now have it mounted flush. Need to take another shot.

 

[CWME]

There is not a better way to do a table on these splitters. See photo below.

Easy to use and very efficient.

Edit to add; In the photo below, I had bolted the table on wrong where it's 3/4" below the beam. I now have it mounted flush. Need to take another shot.

Nice looking machine and shop!

The table looks like it could be a simple fix for both the speeco and DR. The DR would take a few minutes with a grinder to cut off the angle iron that makes up the "log cradle".

 

[Cerran]

I do like the wider stance of the Speeco but if I were to buy one I'd still go with the Super Split I think. Plenty happy with my x27 for now.

 

[DR POWER]

Contest winner

Let me jump in again...We are absolutely paying attention here at DR. We have always been driven by innovation, with a passion for high-quality design. And like many of you, we have no use for ordinary products...so we're listening and willing to do what it takes to absolutely be the best.

The insight offered here by Dancan, MMGUNS, sunfish and others is greatly appreciated -- even if not entirely flattering:smile2: We've introduced a rack & pinion splitter that we're damn proud of but we won't rest there. To prove it, I want to further encourage you to give us your insight on how to make this the BEST splitter on the market. So, here's what I'm proposing:

For the next 7 days I will follow this thread and every person that suggests a sincere idea for improving our design I'll put their name into a hat and send the winner these chaps chainsaw chaps -- a $75 value!

Please send us your design ideas -- we really appreciate the passion and knowledge of splitters that can only be found is this community.

We've had 11 posts to our idea requests -- many of which have been forwarded to our engineers. As promised, I placed all 11 names into a hat and the winner of a brand new pair of chaps is Buildmyown.

Congratulations Buildmyown! Send me a message and I'll get them out to you ASAP.

More importantly, thanks to everyone for your continued feedback. We're listening....

View attachment 199188

 

[KiwiBro]

Cheers DR POWER.

How many years has SS had to engage the market like this and failed to do so. If the DR splitters are half as good as their willingness to listen and engage, they'll be darn fine investments.

Now, about that demo model to a GTG for a head to head comparison. I'd imagine if the DR can at least hold it's own in such an evaluation by AS members, it could be a powerful motivator for many to buy one.

Heck, if you want to send me one to put through it's paces, I won't object. I'll even pay all shipping costs ex: works. :biggrinbounce2:

 

[Dalmatian90]

Just noticed looking at Sunfish's pic.

The Super Split & DR have tables designed to allow wood to flow off the end.

The Speeco has a lip there! Not sure if it's thinner metal needing more strength, cheaper to fabricate when they press it that way, or both...but that lip sure would be a pain and I can see it getting the bejesus beat out of it as splits on the table get rammed into the lip by the next split.

 

[buildmyown]

We've had 11 posts to our idea requests -- many of which have been forwarded to our engineers. As promised, I placed all 11 names into a hat and the winner of a brand new pair of chaps is Buildmyown.

Congratulations Buildmyown! Send me a message and I'll get them out to you ASAP.

More importantly, thanks to everyone for your continued feedback. We're listening....

View attachment 199188

Nice!! to think I was just looking at chaps at the dealer yesterday. PM Sent

 

[dancan]

Congrats on the chaps !