new splitter (I plead insanity)

[Patrick62]

Look what followed me home? I was down to one splitter, and 4 cords needed to be delivered today.
That is what credit cards are for....

So, I plead insanity as I got into the jeep and headed to my local store and bought this thing:
http://www.drpower.com/power-equipm...-splitter/prompt-for-rapidfire-6-0-ms-new.axd

Okay, I didn't mess around. Top of the Line! I can live without electric start...($200 more) The thing runs really nice. The Subaru 6hp engine runs quite well, I split about 3/4 of a cord today finishing up a load. Several "first impressions"
The very first thing I did was fetch a bungee cord. Yes, I am FULLY aware of the hazards of disabling the safety interlock that required two hands to activate the splitter. The Kid said that the first models were like that...
Yank the handle and it splits. Boy does it split! Working up a block does take a few more strokes and a different "style" than my other splitters. Mostly what I need is a staging basket handy to the thing... It is light enough that pulling it thru the yard by hand is workable. I am 6-1 and it really could use a "lift kit" another 3 or 4 inches would help bunches.

I padlocked that sucker to the tractor for now. Probably try and keep it the shop, or atleast the shed....

What ya think? Did I do good? Or do I need to see a shrink??

 

[blades]

Well it isn't a Super Split made in USA, so let us know how it holds up. I am tempted to get another splitter as draggin the one back and forth 16 miles is a pain.

 

[olympyk_999]

Well it isn't a Super Split from Ohio

I wonder if super split is aware that they are from Ohio?

 

[tla100]

Hope it last as long and minimal maintenance as a Super Split!!!!

Just split a full pickup load of nasty maple, I know....maple splits easy, but this was nasty....anyway super split got a workout.

Lets see that DR in some some tough stringy stuff..... I know what it will do in straight grain.......

Sorry to derail....Do you need a shrink? Well the first step is admitting you have a problem.......heh......I have been tempted by them also, I just like my homebuilt vertical and a lot of my stuff is too big too lift. If I had a few acres of straight stuff, I would own one......have fun with it! And phuck the saftey stuff....if we are that dumb to cut fingers off, well I guess your that dumb!!!!

 

[Deleted member 83629]

DR builds excellent stuff.

 

[cre73]

Wasn't there a huge thread about rack problems with these a while back? Hopefully not but?????

 

[USMC615]

Wasn't there a huge thread about rack problems with these a while back? Hopefully not but?????

That there was...many, many pages.

OP, I hope for your 'sanity', DR finally got the heat treat/steel theory right for the pinion gear and rack. If they did, the machine should be fine...if they didn't, 'insanity' will be an understatement. Good luck.

 

[lknchoppers]

Looks good !!

 

[Sandhill Crane]

That is what credit cards are for....

So, I plead insanity

Ha!
Enjoy it. Kinetic splitters are incredible.

 

[Sandhill Crane]

Did I do good? Or do I need to see a shrink??

Yeah, you need to make an appointment...

 

[Patrick62]

My internet went down, but the DR is working fine.
I wasn't aware of a rack/pinon problem... I am assuming that for this price it would have some quality stuff in there.
90 percent of what I would split is not going to challenge this machine. Part of the theory is getting the biggest baddest one they make is that it will be stressed less.

I am also convinced that given a equal challenge of blocks it is going to be a very close race against my blue splitter (hydraulic, 3 way wedge, 8 sec cycle time). Those guys are trying to tell ya that it is faster than any hydraulic splitter... ain't so. There are some fast and efficient machines out there. Most of them are homemade like mine...

It's a nice machine, but probably not worth the entire $2500+ I paid for it.... temporary insanity.

 

[fearofpavement]

Nice splitter, but what's the vehicle? Reminds me of a 67 El Camino we used to have.

 

[USMC615]

Nice splitter, but what's the vehicle? Reminds me of a 67 El Camino we used to have.

I was thinking the same, seeing the rear end in the pic.

 

[srb08]

Nice looking splitter.
I've wanted to get a Kinetic for a while but am afraid it couldn't handle the nasty red oak I seem to have an abundance of.

 

[USMC615]

Nice looking splitter.
I've wanted to get a Kinetic for a while but am afraid it couldn't handle the nasty red oak I seem to have an abundance of.

Having an abundance of red oak is a good thing...straight red oak is not difficult to split, even with a splitting axe, doing the manual thing. My SS HD blows right through any piece of red oak you can pick up to the table, regardless of how gnarly it is. The thing with a flywheel splitter with the crotches/gnarly stuff...position it for the first stroke. You'll learn it quick if you buy one. Then it's clockwork from there. I've put some huge rounds, some huge rounds that were crotchy as hell on mine...it just laughs at 'em, blows right through 'em. It's a badass machine.

Not sayin DR ain't got their chit right with the heat treat/steel deal now with the pinion gear and rack teeth...they sure had a lot of problems in the past. If they've got it worked out now, more power to 'em. I'm sure it's a fine flywheel splitter. I think their biggest, baddest model, K34 I think, has 74 lb each flywheels. Same flywheels as the J Model SS. My SS HD has 90lb each flywheels with the upgrade Honda GX 200 engine. And there's nothing wrong with the Subaru engines that come stock on the Super Splits, very good engines. The SS SE model has 100lb flywheels. The SE is pretty pricey though, designed for the stringy elm folks, but comes with a Honda 9 HP, gear reduction motor.

I'd price'em out, both mfgr's, see what ya come up with, model per model. You'll be amazed with a flywheel splitter, no doubt. I looked at both before I purchased...I simply went with the proven thoroughbred on the decades old horse track of kinetic splitters...the SS.

Whichever route you choose and spend your money...you'll enjoy the hell out of a flywheel, kinetic splitter.

To the OP...I hope the DR serves you well for many years to come.

 

[Patrick62]

You guys don't miss much do ya?
1972 El camino. I'll pose a pic with the splitter and the chevy for ya... (and I am quite KEEPING the el camino. I get asked that about a dozen times a year if I wanna sell it)

Yes, I have the K34 and according to the search I did on the thing they have "double heat treated" the pinion gear. It had better be made of decent stuff!

I cranked out a bunch with it today. I am learning to like the thing. It is fast, and with a little practice today I can get over a cord an hour across it. With larger wood the difference in production is less apparent. The 3 way splitter is a serious contender for larger stuff.

I don't know how it will behave with stringy stuff, or some of my green ponderosa blocks. If the wheels have enough to get all the way thru, it might work okay. Drop a big ol' knot in there and it might run outta poop. Might... might not...

 

[USMC615]

You guys don't miss much do ya?
1972 El camino. I'll pose a pic with the splitter and the chevy for ya... (and I am quite KEEPING the el camino. I get asked that about a dozen times a year if I wanna sell it)

Yes, I have the K34 and according to the search I did on the thing they have "double heat treated" the pinion gear. It had better be made of decent stuff!

I cranked out a bunch with it today. I am learning to like the thing. It is fast, and with a little practice today I can get over a cord an hour across it. With larger wood the difference in production is less apparent. The 3 way splitter is a serious contender for larger stuff.

I don't know how it will behave with stringy stuff, or some of my green ponderosa blocks. If the wheels have enough to get all the way thru, it might work okay. Drop a big ol' knot in there and it might run outta poop. Might... might not...

You'll have to hit some pieces twice, no doubt. It'll get through it. I've never had to hit the toughest pieces I've put on mine more than twice. 95% of what I've split on my SS HD takes one hit only. Good luck with it and you'll get to a cord split in less than 45 min in no time.

 

[Locust Cutter]

Don't be afraid of knots or stringy crap with the SS. It will do it. The HD will do it even better and the Special Edition I intend to buy for dealing with a lot of Hedge will be fun.

 

[Hinerman]

Don't be afraid of knots or stringy crap with the SS. It will do it. The HD will do it even better and the Special Edition I intend to buy for dealing with a lot of Hedge will be fun.

I used an HD at a charity cut. It split hedge just as well as oak or pine IMO.

 

[KiwiBro]

The 3 way splitter is a serious contender for larger stuff.

That's the genesis of the perfect two-splitter plan right there. Hydraulic with log lift and mutli-way wedge first, for the bigger/nasty stuff, then kinetic immediately downstream of that. Perfect.