Log Splitter Size Needed

[drf256]

Good morning Gents.

I split about 8 cords of wood a year and was wondering what size splitter would best suit me.

Red Oak is the most plentiful hard wood around these parts. It's also the most annoying to split because of all the cross fibers.

I've been using a buddy's splitter for years and I'm unsure of the tonnage it was rated at.

My firebox can only take 18-20" logs. After taliking to my buddy Dan, I've decided on a 27 ton/6.5 Hp machine. I was gonna go with a 32 ton but was told it's really not necessary for my use.

What's say You?

 

[drf256]

BTW, I own a few chainsaws. So when I gotta split knotty wood or crotch areas, I generally do a relief cut through the tough part before it sees the splitter.

 

[hseII]

No less than a 27ton- if you can swing the 32, go for it.

Get one that does vertical & Horizontal.

Make sure the exhaust is routed so that it blows away from your face when splitting.

 

[drf256]

Yes, vertical a must.

I'm not sure why they even make a horizontal. Who would do all the extra work?

 

[RI Chevy]

I use this Portuguese splitter. Its called a Fiskers Manuel X27. Lol

My FIL bought a cheap HD or Lowes 22 ton splitter. Works fine. About 10 years old. About a G note.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[paragonbuilder]

Hello [emoji41]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[paragonbuilder]

Yes, vertical a must.

I'm not sure why they even make a horizontal. Who would do all the extra work?

The horizontal only ones usually push into the wedge, so you can add a 4 way or 6 way knife on it. If you are doing commercial firewood from pole wood delivered from a log truck, it is much faster. But when you get big stuff your stuck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ryan Browne]

Personally, I'd pay attention to cycle times of the ones you're looking at. 8 cords isn't a crazy amount of wood, but it's enough that you'll spend more than a few hours running the splitter. I'd want one with a big enough pump to have a fairly quick cycle time. Nothing worse than waiting on the ram. I think that's one of the benefits of the lower tonnage models, generally speaking, is that the smaller cylinder makes them faster. Some of the 35 ton splitters just have a bigger ram without a bigger pump, so you lose a lot of speed.

 

[hseII]

The horizontal only ones usually push into the wedge, so you can add a 4 way or 6 way knife on it. If you are doing commercial firewood from pole wood delivered from a log truck, it is much faster. But when you get big stuff your stuck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This.

 

[hseII]

Yes, vertical a must.

I'm not sure why they even make a horizontal. Who would do all the extra work?

Well Doc,

We've got one that's 3 point hitch, & if it's small wood, < 20" dia, it's faster to split with the horizontal.

 

[Dustin4185]

We have a Northstar 35 ton from Northern tool and a 27 ton Tractor Supply special. Both have been good splitter. Like mentioned before, the big difference is the cycle times on most splitters. The one from Northern has a throttle cable that lowers RPMs when the ram is up. I took it off because the engine was constantly reving up and down with the stroke of the cylinder. It was annoying! It is a faster splitter since it has a two stage pump and is powered by a GX390 Honda.

The 27 ton has a vertical shaft engine with the pump on the bottom. It was easier to find and cheaper to replace the engine when it blew. It had a Briggs on it and had who know how many hours on it when it let go.

 

[RI Chevy]

Honda powered are the best, but also most expensive.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[RI Chevy]

This company makes some of the best splitters I have seen. Right in NY. Probably upstate though.

http://www.americancls.com/products/

 

[P.M.P.]

I didn't have the coin ($1500)for the Brave 2 way with the honda.The cheap little harbor frieght knock off ($650) has handled everything.Seems fast enough.Anything big gets noodled.

 

[Sty57]

Like a few guys have said. Cycle time is on the top of my list then tonage.

But like everything else, get bigger than you think you need.

 

[angelo c]

Go BIG....and horizontal with a lift....
You'll never need more...

 

[angelo c]

Or go small and frenching fast

 

[Stihl working Hard]

View attachment 76742
Go BIG....and horizontal with a lift....
You'll never need more...

Awesome splitter

 

[Stihl working Hard]

I didn't have the coin ($1500)for the Brave 2 way with the honda.The cheap little harbor frieght knock off ($650) has handled everything.Seems fast enough.Anything big gets noodled.

How many Ton is yours Gunner

 

[P.M.P.]

How many Ton is yours Gunner

Only a 20 ton but if it fits it splits