I'm looking for a new log splitter

[jrider]

It varies from year to year so I'm only guessing but about 80+ cords a year. I've been working my 22 ton to death. I really need a heaver splitter, and since I'm in the market, for one, I might as well look at ones with log lifts while I'm at it. I am going to get a bigger machine and I'm getting close to pulling the trigger. I just wanted a few more opinions before I do.

It's time to bite the bullet and step up to a larger faster machine. You won't be sorry. Time is money and saving your back is priceless

 

[Ryan'smilling]

It varies from year to year so I'm only guessing but about 80+ cords a year. I've been working my 22 ton to death. I really need a heaver splitter, and since I'm in the market, for one, I might as well look at ones with log lifts while I'm at it. I am going to get a bigger machine and I'm getting close to pulling the trigger. I just wanted a few more opinions before I do.

Boy, for 80+ cords a year I'd probably stop looking at price tags and start looking at what would really save time. Auto cycle, 4-way, log lift, outfeed table, etc. I'd suggest taking a look at the Wolfe Ridge MFG splitters. You'd have to really compare each detail to find out which manufacturer you like the best, but Wolfe Ridge seems to give you some pretty good features at an entry level price.

 

[sb47]

Boy, for 80+ cords a year I'd probably stop looking at price tags and start looking at what would really save time. Auto cycle, 4-way, log lift, outfeed table, etc. I'd suggest taking a look at the Wolfe Ridge MFG splitters. You'd have to really compare each detail to find out which manufacturer you like the best, but Wolfe Ridge seems to give you some pretty good features at an entry level price.

Those are some sharp looking splitters, I can't find any pricing for them.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

Those are some sharp looking splitters, I can't find any pricing for them.

He's got his standard model listed on our local Craigslist for $5699. That includes a log lift, table, and 4-way, as I understand it. Not cheap, but less than Timberwolf by a decent margin I think. And upgrades are reasonable. When we talked I think he said he can ship just about anywhere in the US for $500 or so.

 

[sb47]

He's got his standard model listed on our local Craigslist for $5699. That includes a log lift, table, and 4-way, as I understand it. Not cheap, but less than Timberwolf by a decent margin I think. And upgrades are reasonable. When we talked I think he said he can ship just about anywhere in the US for $500 or so.

I watched some vids of it in action and it looks like a very nice unit. In all of the vids they used dry strait grain wood in there demos. I would like to see it in action on some large green live oak, post oak and pecan.

 

[sb47]

I have been thinking of putting on a lift crane to lift the rounds. I just found this vid that shows what I thought about trying. Seems someone else had the same idea.

 

[sb47]

Here is one by Brute Force, this thing can split wood as fast as you can load it.

 

[NSMaple1]

Looks like the budget has been upped.

 

[al-k]

I like this one, if I had money.

 

[CaseyForrest]

Here is one by Brute Force, this thing can split wood as fast as you can load it.

Dont get fooled by high production like in the video. ALOT of those splits should be split again. And now they are buried in a pile.

 

[WoodTick007]

Here is one by Brute Force, this thing can split wood as fast as you can load it.

Any one know who makes the cylinder in this video? What about a cost effective clone of one of these cylinders? This appears to be a very fast maching.

 

[blades]

to speed up any cylinder you need larger ports than the 1/2" without changing the pressure range. it boils down how fast you can fill and empty the cylinder. increasing the flow gets part way there ( 11gpm -13gpb -22gom) but gets pricy pump and motor wise. 3/4" ports and lines through out the system can make a big difference with out changing the pump or pressure range.

 

[sb47]

I like this one, if I had money.

This one looks hard on the back. See the way he is standing? Looks like he is leaning forward. That would make my back cry uncle in no time.

 

[sb47]

Dont get fooled by high production like in the video. ALOT of those splits should be split again. And now they are buried in a pile.

Yes some pieces need splitting again. But he is also only using a 4 way wedge, A 6 way wedge should help keep from needing to re run pieces. You have to agree this splitter is fast and sounds like it has power to spare.

 

[CaseyForrest]

Yes some pieces need splitting again. But he is also only using a 4 way wedge, A 6 way wedge should help keep from needing to re run pieces. You have to agree this splitter is fast and sounds like it has power to spare.

No doubt...

 

[Ryan'smilling]

I watched some vids of it in action and it looks like a very nice unit. In all of the vids they used dry strait grain wood in there demos. I would like to see it in action on some large green live oak, post oak and pecan.

We don't have any of those species up here. I have a three point splitter that he (Wolfe Ridge) made. Mine's run on a single stage PTO pump. I usually run it on a tractor that only has 23 HP, which means I have to turn the relief pressure down to about 1800 psi. At that pressure, I occasionally find a white oak crotch I can't split. Otherwise, it goes through room and everything else I've thrown at it just fine.

I think there's three basic variables to splitting ability, cylinder size, operating pressure, and wedge design. You should be able to get a 4, 4.5, or 5" cylinder from any if the big manufacturers. Unless I'm mistaken, Eastonmade is the only one doing anything higher than 2500 psi. Wedge design is pretty variable. Some like Wolfe Ridge, Eastonmade, and the one in the video you posted are pretty narrow, while others like Timberwolf are much wider. I don't know if either is "better" but the narrower ones seem like they'll cut through nasty rounds more easily.

I guess what I'm getting at is that regardless of tonnage "ratings", look at the cylinder size and pump pressure. If you see one doing what you like, chances are that another manufacturers model with the same configuration will do the same thing.

 

[sb47]

We don't have any of those species up here. I have a three point splitter that he (Wolfe Ridge) made. Mine's run on a single stage PTO pump. I usually run it on a tractor that only has 23 HP, which means I have to turn the relief pressure down to about 1800 psi. At that pressure, I occasionally find a white oak crotch I can't split. Otherwise, it goes through room and everything else I've thrown at it just fine.

I think there's three basic variables to splitting ability, cylinder size, operating pressure, and wedge design. You should be able to get a 4, 4.5, or 5" cylinder from any if the big manufacturers. Unless I'm mistaken, Eastonmade is the only one doing anything higher than 2500 psi. Wedge design is pretty variable. Some like Wolfe Ridge, Eastonmade, and the one in the video you posted are pretty narrow, while others like Timberwolf are much wider. I don't know if either is "better" but the narrower ones seem like they'll cut through nasty rounds more easily.

I guess what I'm getting at is that regardless of tonnage "ratings", look at the cylinder size and pump pressure. If you see one doing what you like, chances are that another manufacturers model with the same configuration will do the same thing.

Don't forget hose fitting sises and hose size and even control valve size all play a part in power and speed.
I think the one made by Brute Force should power through any wood with a single wedge with no problem. A 4 or 6 way may have issues with exstreamley tough wood.
The one in the video looks to have about a 5'' cylinder with a 3'' shaft. That should provide some decent power.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

Don't forget hose fitting sises and hose size and even control valve size all play a part in power and speed.
I think the one made by Brute Force should power through any wood with a single wedge with no problem. A 4 or 6 way may have issues with exstreamley tough wood.
The one in the video looks to have about a 5'' cylinder with a 3'' shaft. That should provide some decent power.

You're right about the valves and fittings. They really affect the speed. The force, I don't think they really matter though. If the pump is making 2500 psi, that's what the cylinder is gonna get. Fittings may slow the flow though.

Cylinder size is a trade-off. Bigger gives more power obviously, but slows things down. You can up the flow, but once you start getting into 20+ GPM, stuff starts to get expensive. At that flow, especially with a big rod (which only affects return speed/power) when you're retracting the rod, you might be putting 20 GPM into the return side, but the amount coming out of the extend side is way more. Getting valves and fittings to accommodate that is spendy.

I think pretty much every splitter with a 4-way is made so that the 4 or 6 it whatever way is removable. I would be pretty amazed if there was any wood you couldn't split with a 5" cylinder at 2500 psi and a regular single wedge. That's almost 50,000# of force. Like I said, mine will split just about anything at 1700# though a 4-way.

 

[sb47]

You're right about the valves and fittings. They really affect the speed. The force, I don't think they really matter though. If the pump is making 2500 psi, that's what the cylinder is gonna get. Fittings may slow the flow though.

Cylinder size is a trade-off. Bigger gives more power obviously, but slows things down. You can up the flow, but once you start getting into 20+ GPM, stuff starts to get expensive. At that flow, especially with a big rod (which only affects return speed/power) when you're retracting the rod, you might be putting 20 GPM into the return side, but the amount coming out of the extend side is way more. Getting valves and fittings to accommodate that is spendy.

I think pretty much every splitter with a 4-way is made so that the 4 or 6 it whatever way is removable. I would be pretty amazed if there was any wood you couldn't split with a 5" cylinder at 2500 psi and a regular single wedge. That's almost 50,000# of force. Like I said, mine will split just about anything at 1700# though a 4-way.

All good points. I may put off a new splitter until the budget allows for a better machine.
I do know my 22 ton can't split live oak. Could be the pump is getting weak after 15 years and several thousand cords of wood.
My tree digger gets weak over time and it's always the pump.
I may try a new pump if there cheap enough and see if I see any improvement in the old splitter. I'm gonna need a new machine soon though.

 

[WoodTick007]

You could try replacing the cylinder. There are available from the Surplus center.com relatively cheap. Or you can try eBay. It could be after all that time the cylinders worn out and it's leaking internally causing it to lose force or pressure. I would guess that cylinder can be bought for between $199 and $300