How to size a log splitter?

[MDGreenWood]

Hi All,

New to the forum and have been searching and reading every single thread I can on wood splitters and still seem just as confused...hopefully some of you nice folks out there can help me.

Background:
Looking for a splitter as I have about 3-4 cords of Oak in my driveway thanks to a gracious neighbor who had 3 old oak trees taken down two weeks ago. As well there are 5 really old (and really big) hickory trees on my property that will need to come down next year (they all suddenly died in the past 2-3 months).

We plan on burning approx 2-4 cords a year (harvesting as much as I can from my own property as well as any surrounding neighbors) and will most likely have to be split by us.

I hand split a cord last year...and lets just say...I got it done with a wood splitter's maul, a wedge and sledge...it wasn't pretty but hey I never split wood before! But, I don't really want to do that again...and not to mention, I don't know if have the technique to split some of the big *** logs in my driveway!

Speaking of big *** logs in my driveway...some of the logs are 2 foot tall and every bit of 2-3.5 foot in diameter. As well, the 5 hickory trees that I mentioned before...two of them are close to 4.5 foot at the base!

So, I want to purchase a hydraulic splitter...and I am sort of against renting one...just because I want to be able to split at my own pace and I'd rather put that money into something that will be mine as opposed to the local equipment rental place.

In any case, how does one size a splitter? I mean some of the logs I'm looking at...I want to say..."Man, that needs a 33 ton splitter!" But I don't really know. Maybe I should be looking at a 26 ton? Hell, maybe a 22 ton would get the job done. I don't know.

As far as brands I was originally looking at the northstar 37 ton with the GX engine, but then I started looking at Ramsplitter, Brave/I&O, and American CLS. I think I would rather go with a smaller (say 26 ton) commercial level splitter rather than the Northstar 37 ton. Is that a wise choice?

I originally budgeted $2300 for the whole shebang...splitter, hydraulic fluid, shipping, etc. But, I would like to pay less if I could.

Maybe something like a brave 22 ton would be plenty enough for what I want? The only thing I know, is that I would like to get the GX engine mainly for sound/quietness. My neighbor has a lawn mower with a Honda GC engine and that thing is quiet! Well, quiet compared to my Toro with the 6.5hp briggs!

Thanks in advance for any help and advice! If there is any other information that would be pertinent to helping decide...please let me know!


Thanks!

 

[wdchuck]

Can you rent one locally?

That will give you a good idea where to start, and do some crotches or other tough pieces too. It's a cheap way to find out what makes you happy.

Myself, borrowed a home built a couple times, and knew from that what was important, went to the farm store and bought a Speeco 25ton, with a 9.0hp I/C engine. $900 out the door ready to work. Its a vertical/horizontal, and hasn't been stopped yet, through burr oak crotches, elm crotches, twisted grain, knots, gnarly grain.
I have found that just before it runs out of gas, it's time for a break anyway, I always seem to shut it down with the same little bit of fuel in it.

Lots of great help on the forum, plenty of splitter info threads recently too.

 

[nickblaze466]

you didn't mention anywhere in your post if you have a saw or not. if youre planning on splitting those big logs as they sit you are going to need quite a big splitter, especially if they are nasty. if you're harvesting you probably have a saw, and if you have a saw you can save yourself some money and rip those big logs down into a managable size. you can then process them through with no problems on a smaller splitter, generally speaking.

if you're talking about just pushing a 4.5 foot thick piece of hickory you'll almost have no choice but to go vertical. even so, you'll have a hard time pushing something that big into splitter without some equipment.

for 2300, i'd go down to someplace like tsc and pick yourself out the splitter that you want and a saw and call it good. just my .02, hope it works out well for you.

 

[strongback]

I rented a I&O 27 ton Commercial splitter this weekend and split approx 3 cord of red oak yesterday plus a three year supply of crotches, knots and insanely twisted logs I'd put to the side for "later" Yesterday was later. What it couldn't split it cut. What it couldn't cut it crushed. Nothing I put under the wedge, no matter how I put it under the wedge, would stop it. I have no idea what it cost to buy one (it cost me $82 to rent it for Sat and Sunday) but I know I want one. It doesn't move particularly fast but once I got my wife running the ram while I wrestled the logs there was an almost constant Ka-kathunk of wood being tossed onto a rapidly growing pile.

This is the first year I've ever resorted to using a log splitter and so this is also the only splitter I've ever used, but I can't imagine it gets much better without some sort of trade off.

 

[Frank Boyer]

A 35 ton horz/vertical Speeco/Huskee at Tractor Supply Co is $1650 + tax in my area. That leaves some money for a saw. Most people can't lift much more than a 18"-24" diameter log. On the bigger stuff cut it short 12"-16" and rip it in half before you try to roll it to the splitter.

 

[MDGreenWood]

Thanks for the responses so far!

As far as a saw...nothing major. An old stihl with a 16" bar. Currently, anything major that needs felling will be done by a tree company...as the trees that need to come down are way too close to the house for my comfort....and I'm definitely not a climber!

 

[avalancher]

If you are in the market for a splitter, buy the biggest one that you can that your budget will allow. I have never heard anyone say"doggone, my splitter is to big" but I have heard more than once "I sure wish this thing had more power"
Everyone likes a light and small sized saw for those little logs, limbing, etc, but I cant imagine anyone liking a small sized log splitter when it comes to busting wood.
Just my two cents worth

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

If you are in the market for a splitter, buy the biggest one that you can that your budget will allow. I have never heard anyone say"doggone, my splitter is to big" but I have heard more than once "I sure wish this thing had more power"
Everyone likes a light and small sized saw for those little logs, limbing, etc, but I cant imagine anyone liking a small sized log splitter when it comes to busting wood.
Just my two cents worth

Absolutely right. Let's be honest, guys. We all know we like toys, and we like machines, and we like them as big as we can get them. Sometimes we buy stuff that is WAY over our actual needs.

I don't think this is one of those deals. With splitters, when in doubt, go big.

For some interesting reading, let me direct you to two recent threads of mine that directly address this:

Scored some standing dead oak today.


I bent my splitter's toe plate!!

 

[haoleboy99]

I went with the Iron and Oak, less than $2k to the door. I decided to go with the 26 ton H/V and a bit slower time than the smaller 22ton fast cycle. When you own the splitter you can take your time and I don't even notice the extra couple of seconds. I also opted for the Briggs I/C vs the honda and saved around 500 dollars. It is a bit louder but the $500 got me close enough to buy the new 372XP. It has split everything I put it up against. Try toolfetch.com, they're always running a sale or at least a 5% discount with free shipping.

 

[Frank Boyer]

I have a 27 ton Troy Built (MTD) and it is very slow. 15 second cycle times, and it really grunts with larger rounds. It even slightly seeps fluid at one of the ram connections when splitting large rounds. Unless you are splitting 24" and less soft wood I would go with a 35 ton unit. Horizontal units are nice for small stuff, but larger rounds require a log lift or a vertical unit.

 

[Scootermsp]

Check out Northern

Try the Northern Tools 30 ton splitter, has 5.5 HP Honda and I'm really impressed, I've put 8 cords through it and haven't stopped it yet even with Elm. I've run it vertical into some 40" oak and it split it in half each time. It will run you $1569 plus about $200 shipping. I love the idle control, it cuts the engine to an idle when the piston is retracted, Nice and quiet and VERY stingy on fuel....I split over 3 cords on 1 tank.

 

[avalancher]

Try the Northern Tools 30 ton splitter, has 5.5 HP Honda and I'm really impressed, I've put 8 cords through it and haven't stopped it yet even with Elm. I've run it vertical into some 40" oak and it split it in half each time. It will run you $1569 plus about $200 shipping. I love the idle control, it cuts the engine to an idle when the piston is retracted, Nice and quiet and VERY stingy on fuel....I split over 3 cords on 1 tank.

Wow, three cords on one tank? I am lucky to get one cord per tank. I guess maybe that idle control helps with the fuel economy?

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

I love the idle control, it cuts the engine to an idle when the piston is retracted,

That would be a VERY nice feature on my Huskee!

 

[yukiginger]

Splitter moving

Another thing to consider is how you will move the machine. I have a 22 ton that I believe weighs about 450 lbs. I move it around my property by hand, as I don't have a garden tractor to pull it. I could hook it to my truck if I needed, and that would help me move it around a bit, but sometimes you need to push it back into a tight spot where you will be splitting. I also push mine up a ramp to store it in my shed. My point is that I am just about at my limit handling this machine by myself; a 30+ ton model runs about 100 lbs.+ more than my splitter and might be too much for me to handle.

My splitter has done everything I've ever asked, and that includes knotty, crotchy rounds. If a splitter can't handle it, as someone already mentioned, fire up the chainsaw and cut the round.

I split vertically almost exclusively as the firewood I procure is almost always 16" or more, averaging probably 22". I routinely handle rounds 36" or so. My secret is to get them on the splitter base (preferably on a natural crack and always so I'm attempting to split them in half), run the wedge through the round, and hope it splits cleanly in half. If it does not, I leave the wedge in the down position, which helps hold the round, and I take the maul and try to finish the splitting (as the area to hit on the round is facing me). I can usually separate the halves with this method, which then makes for easier handling.

MarkG

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Another thing to consider is how you will move the machine. I have a 22 ton that I believe weighs about 450 lbs. I move it around my property by hand, as I don't have a garden tractor to pull it. I could hook it to my truck if I needed, and that would help me move it around a bit, but sometimes you need to push it back into a tight spot where you will be splitting. I also push mine up a ramp to store it in my shed. My point is that I am just about at my limit handling this machine by myself; a 30+ ton model runs about 100 lbs.+ more than my splitter and might be too much for me to handle.

Mark, that part is easy on my sloped lot with my 35 ton Huskee. My 12yo and either one of his bigger brothers move mine around with no problem. I moved it by myself yesterday, from its normal parking spot down a slight slope out to where my truck parks. Hooked it up, and off I went. By myself, and I'm not a big guy, and I'm nursing a bad elbow right now.


How?

We cheat. I bought a trailer dolly from Northern. That was $27 bucks (shipped) well spent!

 

[Zodiac45]

I have a 20 ton splitter. It's 5hp, easy on gas, pushes a 4" cyl with an 11gpm 2 stage pump. I use it too split 6-8 cords per year and that is all hard wood. I've never found a round it wouldn't split. For the amount of wood you are talking about, a size like this would work fine for you. Oh and it was $900 although that was 6 yrs ago.

 

[Wood Doctor]

If you are in the market for a splitter, buy the biggest one that you can that your budget will allow. I have never heard anyone say, "doggone, my splitter is to big", but I have heard more than once. "I sure wish this thing had more power."

Everyone likes a light and small sized saw for those little logs, limbing, etc, but I can't imagine anyone liking a small sized log splitter when it comes to busting wood. Just my two cents worth

+1! That's not two cents worth of advice. That's two grand worth of advice.

When it comes to log splitters, "don't spare the horses", "don't be penny wise and pound foolish", "don't send a boy to do a man's job", and "don't try to kill an elephant with a fly swatter."


I'm sure our forum can add a few more dandy expressions. :agree2:

 

[CharlieG]

Iron and Oak 30 Ton- Available in Horizontal only (which I have and wanted) or the H/V. Most rental centers around me use these. It was economical for me to purchase rather than rent because I'm a one man operation. If you have a "crew" available, a rental might be better for you to split and stack in a day. I use my splitter year 'round, and after heating with wood for several years, has paid for itself. As well as other toys ! I consider it an investment in my alternative energy plan .

 

[johnha]

Rental splitters around here go for nearly $100/day, so renting a splitter more than one day a year isn't too cost effective.

My 26 Ton Brave has never failed to split anything.

 

[MDGreenWood]

Thanks for the information guys!

Alright everyone,

I wanted to thank you for taking time to post to my original thread. I did some more research and the local rental places are about ~$100/day. If they never raise their prices I figured I could pay for my own splitter outright in 5 years. However, I doubt their prices will still stay the same.

Long story short...I pulled the trigger on the northstar 37 ton model. The GX engine w/idle control sealed the deal on this specific model for me.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326296_200326296

Unfortunately, it's back ordered...so, I'll have to report back when I get it.