Old speeco Splitter

[mellow]

Tried finding some info on this old speeco splitter but I am coming up with nothing. Interested in finding out how many tons this thing is, I am guessing 10 tons? Couldn't find any numbers on it while searching it but I didn't look very hard either in the hot sun. Hoping someone can fill in some info on it.

 

[Fifelaker]

Surplus Center has a calculator on their site that will give you your tonnage. My guess is around 17 tons.

 

[triptester]

It says Speeco on the side but everthing but the cylinder says it is a Didier.
For tonnage measure the outside diameter of the cylinder and subtract 1/2", this will give you the bore size.

3" bore@3000 psi =10.6 tons
3.5" bore@3000 psi = 14.4 yons
4" bore @3000 psi = 18.8 tons
3000 psi is considered the normal max. pressure for commonly used. splitter pumps

 

[nate379]

That is similar to mine which is 7 tons. Mine isn't 10" off the ground though. Who the hell will use that, a midget?

 

[bogydave]

Not far to lift the rounds.
Is it yours or are you shopping?
If it splits & you like it, use knee pads & "get-r-done "

 

[MasterMech]

That is similar to mine which is 7 tons. Mine isn't 10" off the ground though. Who the hell will use that, a midget?

Pretty common for old horizontal only splitters to be designed to sit low like that. Makes rolling the big 'uns on it much easier. Hard on the back tho as you can imagine.

 

[mellow]

Looking at buying it, figure if I can pick it up for 200-300 it is not a bad deal. It has been taken care of all its life so the age doesn't bother me, it fired up on 1st pull and cycled with no issues. The owner still burns in an old smoke dragon and I was surprised this thing would split some of the pieces he showed me which really had me wondering about its tonnage, being able to split large oak rounds is no small feat.

Being low to the ground is a good thing, he will include a ramp for rolling large pieces up on the beam. Trust me if I had the money I would be buying a vertical.

 

[tomc585]

The bore looks pretty small (3") so I'm guessing your looking at around 10 tons which would do fine for most rounds but may not be so rewarding when trying crotch wood.

 

[nate379]

I think I'd rather lift the couple big ones then be bent over all day to split the other 99% of the wood!

 

[mellow]

This will be my first horizontal only splitter, all the other years I have begged/borrowed/rented a splitter they were all horizontal/vertical and 99% of the time I was splitting in vertical, just something about sitting on a 5 gal bucket with rounds all around you splitting away. I will miss that I am sure.

 

[MasterMech]

This will be my first horizontal only splitter, all the other years I have begged/borrowed/rented a splitter they were all horizontal/vertical and 99% of the time I was splitting in vertical, just something about sitting on a 5 gal bucket with rounds all around you splitting away. I will miss that I am sure.

Most likely won't be much different. The bucket will still be of use and wood will still be on the ground. May be reaching a bit more for the splits.

 

[onetracker]

hey that's a cool little splitter. i would surely have bought something like that in the past if i only had a few bucks to spend. if height was the issue i'd just modify it. roll it up on truck ramps and chock it good. weld a foot on it. whatever it takes to get'r'done. use it for a few years while saving up for a bigger splitter and sell it for what you purchased it for.

 

[mellow]

Bought the splitter last night for $200. Didn't have time to test it out last night, hoping to give it a test on some good ol gum wood tonight and see how it does.

 

[weatherguy]

Bought the splitter last night for $200. Didn't have time to test it out last night, hoping to give it a test on some good ol gum wood tonight and see how it does.

Good deal, Ive seen a couple of those around here going for $400-500, cant wait to see it split. My 12 ton handles everything I throw at it so that should do just as well.

 

[tomc585]

Good deal even if it needs work. Whats the stroke on that thing? From the pictures it looks short (which cuts down on unattended cycle times)

 

[Jags]

I am with triptester - You may have some speeco brand components, but I think the splitter itself was a Didier built unit. Pretty tried and true units.

For the mother load of Didier info go here:
http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/111496.htm

 

[mellow]

Splitter worked great even on knotty pieces. Question about the ram, it has black spots on it, looks like the silver coating is coming off, looks like spider webs. I can't post the pic of it from my phone but when I get to a computer later I will.

 

[Jags]

That is probably from the shaft coating cracking (I believe that it is often a chrome based coating) . The black that you see is actually corrosion. As long as it don't leak, don't sweat it. Long term it could become a problem, or at least eat up shaft seals at a greater than normal rate. Probably only last another 20 years. Always keep the ram in the retracted position for storage.

 

[mellow]

Picture attached of ram arm.

 

[bioman]

fer 200 beans i'd runit till i thought it needs fixin. good buy very clean looking splitter!

 

[Jags]

Yep, that is what I am talking about. That is rust. Run it till she pukes. There ain't no fix except for replacement.

 

[mellow]

Ok, didn't know if there was someway to strip off the old coating and redo it, I will have gotten my $200 worth out of it by the end of this weekend so everything past that is gravy.

Starts on first pull and all the fluids are super clean. It has been sitting for the past 8 years in a guys garage that got a bigger splitter. Surprised the carbs are not clogged but then I thought about it, no ethanol in gas 8 years ago.

 

[Jags]

Like I said - it will probably only last another 20 yrs or so.

 

[blades]

Can that be fixed? yes, but the cost would exceed the price of a replacement.

 

[tomc585]

Picture attached of ram arm.

Looks like the chrome finished tarnished which you could remove with a tarnish remover or polish. If its rough and has a texture feel it might be corrosion from neglect which will cause some wear on the seals and wipers and someday begin to leak.