Fixed wedge or wedge on cylinder???

[Pruning@trunk]

Wondering if it is better if everything was the same (eng size, cylinder size, pump size, etc.) for a wedge that was on the cylinder vs. a wedge fixed to the beam?

I have no use for splitting in the vertical position and that is one of the advantages for having a wedge on the cylinder so if one only splits horizontally is it best to have the wedge welded onto the beam? If this is so, why?

One reason I can think of is if the round gets stuck onto the wedge just send another round to push it threw instead of beating on it with a hammer or returning it to the retracted position in hopes of it unstucking itself..

 

[blades]

I have used both, Prefer wedge on beam, course I do not like vertical as supplied by most box store units.

 

[Whitespider]

I have no use for splitting in the vertical position and that is one of the advantages for having a wedge on the cylinder...

That's the only advantage I can think of...and no, it shouldn't make any difference on engine, pump, cylinder and whatnot.

There's several advantages to locating the wedge on the beam end (or a non-convertible, regardless of wedge location). Convertible splitters necessarily will be larger, heavier and bulkier to accommodate the "convertible" feature... or, at least a non-convertible can be made smaller, lighter and less bulky. With the wedge on the beam, logs and splits are pushed "away" as they're split, reducing the potential for something to fall on your feet, the engine, or other parts... and reduces the potential of getting whacked if a round "pops". I suppose it could be said that also means you need to reach for halves in need of another pass, but it also means you don't haf'ta clear the work area before loading the next round... six of one, half dozen of the other in my view. I also believe it reduces overall stress on the machine if it's built correctly, especially lateral force on the cylinder rod... which in turn, should direct more force to the work being done.

Personally I don't like vertical splitting (might feel different about a table-top design, but I've never used one) so having the wedge on the beam is a no-brainer for me.
Still... lots of guys use one with wedge located on the cylinder rod (in horizontal only), and I ain't hearing them complaining either.
*

 

[Joesell]

If your planning on ever adding a conveyor, a fixed wedge is a must.

 

[Kevin in Ohio]

I have a wedge on the ram and have no complaints. It keeps the wood from swinging while chunking off the big ones. Tables are needed for big ones anyway with BOTH styles. I just grew tired of having to pull back every resplit so when I built mine I went with this design. Wedge design has a lot to do with ones hanging on and it has been a non issue for me anyway.

I I had over a 6 way wedge I'd want it fixed wedge but for multisplit I like it on the ram. I'm horizontal only as well. I do a lot of bigger stuff so I'm probably in the minority, plus I do alot of it by myself.

 

[groundup]

Wedge on cylinder is easier to keep the wood from falling on the ground, but fixed wedge can be setup to process quicker

 

[06switchback]

I have a wedge with removable 4 way on beam and wings nothing falls to the ground and when I'm lucky enough to have help they can grab the splits off the wings and load them while I start to split the next one

It can be tough to reposition a big one for a second split but the speed I think makes up for it and the wings will hold the weight of the big ones just need a little balance

And I believe my work height is about 30 inches no bending but requires a log lift

 

[Gypo Logger]

It's just my opinion that the wedge should be on the beam and not the push block unless mechanical allowances have been make to limit the wear on the beam and push block as well as hydraulic cylinder etc.

 

[JeffHK454]

The key to ether design is having nice tables to catch the splits.

A wedge on beam with no out feed table sucks..constantly picking up stuff that needs resplit. The wedge on ram with no tables is only a tiny bit better because you're closer to the splittin action and can catch the splits before they fall...which on ocasion puts you in the line of fire for flying wood! My old wedge on ram convertible fits my needs because I'm regularly busting up big rounds and hate noodling , I like pulling up a backed stool and quartering the big stuff down to a workable size.

My opinion is based on never running a splitter with a auto cycle or feeding a conveyor.

 

[bigbadbob]

My wedge,,LOL
The wood I get is rarely too large to put up.
Will have a work/catch table as well.
BBB

 

[cmsmoke]

If all your wood were sized for one time through and getting pushed onto a conveyor, fixed wedge. If you have to run through a few times, fixed foot...which saves you form chasing the splits and keeps them more convenient to throw on a pile, trailer or conveyor when sized right. There are benefits and drawbacks to both designs.

 

[cantoo]

I've posted a bunch of pictures of my Speeco that I cut apart and remade into a fixed wedge in many other threads asking the same question. I split onto a conveyor and have outfeed tables so it works much better for me. Splitting is faster for me now.

 

[Poston5]

I have used both. I sold my wedge on beam and bought a wedge on cylinder and will never go back. The wedge on cylinder with a log rack allows one person to operate the splitter. The main reason one person can handle it is because the wood is always right in front of you since the wood never moves. The other person keeps wood at the splitter. Keep in mind you need a log rack with a wedge on cylinder to hold the opposite split of where you are standing. Get a huskee and get the 22 ton, i have never found something that it won't split and we split large and long for owb wood and it sips fuel.

 

[cantoo]

Mine now.

 

[cantoo]

The last picture is to show that I use the machine no matter what the weather is. Freezing cold and the wood was covered with snow and ice. I kept working the machine so hard I could dry my 2nd set of gloves by laying them on the hydraulic cylinder.

 

[treebilly]

I myself prefer the wedge on the ram. My table set up grew legs so I have to make a new one. The reason I like it is I have a bad habit of pulling pieces apart without letting the ram fully extend. I let the wedge clear the end of the log and pull. With the wedge on the beam I would have to stretch to reach the end of the log and run the lever

 

[kodiak]

Wedge on cylinder with a table on the other side of the beam across from the operator. As mentioned above, it keeps the pieces that need resplitting right in front of you.

 

[GVS]

Wedge on cylinder with a table on the other side of the beam across from the operator. As mentioned above, it keeps the pieces that need resplitting right in front of you.

Another nice feature on a ram wedge is if a piece of wood is stuck on the wedge the strippers will push it off rather then the operator pounding it off with a sledge or wrapping a chain around the the piece and pulling it off with the ram.

 

[jrider]

Flexed wedge. When dealing with stringy stuff, there is no wrestling with pieces that didnt split all the way- just retract the ram, load another piece and send it through.

 

[GVS]

Flexed wedge. When dealing with stringy stuff, there is no wrestling with pieces that didnt split all the way- just retract the ram, load another piece and send it through.

Have you never had a big piece of elm stuck on the wedge?Sometimes you just can't finish the split.No choice but to pull it off backwards.A real pain!