A new model DR H/V Splitter? Any good? comments?

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Machria

Minister of Fire
Nov 6, 2012
1,071
Brookhaven, Long Island
Ok, you guys are GREAT at shooting down my choices of a Log splitter, which by the way I appreciate otherwise I'de prolly own a piece of junk by now. Anyway, still looking for a somewhat low-cost small hydrolic (~15-25ton I guess) for not much more that $1k(would prefer to be under 1k, but that don't look like it will occur). How about this new DR model that came out?

It seems to have all the things you folks have said to look for, ful beam, non-plastic hose fittings,.... and I really like the fact it comes WITH a nice big log cradle on both sides. That should be standard if you ask me.

What am I missing? Or is this a decent unit?
http://www.drpower.com/prdSell.aspx?Name=WH1-22-Ton-Vert-Horz-Log-Splitter-NEW


.
 
Looks nice, but Tractor Supply has a sale on 22's for 999 now.
 
That's shipped free. May be able to do better at a store?
Are they made in Vergennes, Vermont? I can't tell.
 
I'm not impressed.

DR cycle time = 16s. Huskee 22-ton cycle time = 13s. (16s is annoying in my experience.)

SpeeCo/Huskee also has tried that hollow toe plate design. They returned to the solid toe plate that doesn't bend.
 
What's with the skimpy 6.3 gpm pump? I think MasterMech has said good things about that Kohler Courage motor.

Edit: my bad, MasterMech not a fan of the Courage series. So skimpy pump, crummy motor. Might as well save the $400 on a huskee.
 
there is a log catcher kit for the huskee 22 ton - think its like $89 or you can do like I did and weld up a nice beefy one with what you got lying around
 
It is a bit pricey for what it seems to be especially when compared to the Huskee splitters.
 
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What's with the skimpy 6.3 gpm pump? I think MasterMech has said good things about that Kohler Courage motor.

Edit: my bad, MasterMech not a fan of the Courage series. So skimpy pump, crummy motor. Might as well save the $400 on a huskee.
I think either their pump ratings or their cycle times are whacked. No way are they cycling a 5" cylinder (34 ton variant) in 15 seconds with a 13 gpm pump.

As far as those little Kohler Courage engines go, I've never had one on my bench so I have no opinion. I am not a fan of the vertical crank single cylinder Courage units commonly found on entry level lawn tractors.
 
Huskee/SpeeCo log catcher is $49 at TSC right now. I got mine for $39.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/speeco-log-catcher

I also have the 33flame log catcher available on eBay. A nicely made attachment.

Ok, so I put the Huskee 22 ton, and QTY 2 of the Speeco Log catchers in my basket with shipping/trucking (less $50 off special), I am at $1,283.27 Having a hard time justifying that. I could instead have 6 coords of split wood delivered to my house. OR rent a unit from craigs list at $60 a day, and rent it 21 times (probably good for 10 years worth @ 2 days per year). But I hate renting things and having to live by somebody elses timing. If I own a splitter, I can work for 1 hour, every few days instead of 12 hours a day for 2 straight days... Then again, if I own one, I have to store it (I have no storage space), and mantaine it.

Dang, wish these were a bit cheaper. If the total was $980, I would buy it yesterday. So just 300 beans has me double thinking the whole idea. Then, last week I was on a boat trip (crusing eastern LI and North east). I spent about $3k on fuel in 11 days, didn't even blink an eye. Why is spending money on certain things so difficult?
 
You don't need two log catchers on the Huskee, and in many instances you don't need one at all. The DR has two because it doesn't have the in-beam log holder that the Speeco/Huskee models have.

The 22-ton Huskee may be purchased for $999 during a sale or w/10%-off coupon.
 
I just purchased a Ramsplitter HV-16 for $1285 shipped with a liftgate:
http://www.woodsplitterdirect.com/16-ton-ram-splitter-horizontal-vertical-electric-log-splitter/

I enjoy the positives of electric splitter at home.

They have the horizontal for a bit cheaper:
http://www.woodsplitterdirect.com/16-ton-ram-splitter-horizontal-electric-log-splitter/

And then they have various gas splitters in the range you were talking about:
http://www.woodsplitterdirect.com/gas-log-splitters/

(I don't have a horse in this game, just hopefully will be a happy Ramsplitter owner shortly. :p)
 

What's ok? ?

You don't need two log catchers on the Huskee, and in many instances you don't need one at all. The DR has two because it doesn't have the in-beam log holder that the Speeco/Huskee models have.

What happends when you split a fairly large round? 1/2 rolls towards you, the other half rolls away from you. If you don't have a cather on both sides, 1/2 will roll off and either break your foot or just just make you bend over to pick back up... Or, you have to hold it with one hand.... pita. Plus, I think they are much easier to load with the catcher, just bring the log up the cradle, and let go, it will roll almost into place...

The 22-ton Huskee may be purchased for $999 during a sale or w/10%-off coupon.

Then add shipping/trucking (there are no tractor supplies stores on LI) and uncle Sam's cut, and your at $1,200+. ;)
 
I just purchased a Ramsplitter HV-16 for $1285 shipped with a liftgate:
http://www.woodsplitterdirect.com/16-ton-ram-splitter-horizontal-vertical-electric-log-splitter/

I enjoy the positives of electric splitter at home.

I looked very closely at the Ramsplitter electric units, as that is where I started this search, looking for an electric unit. Couple things pulled me away though:
1. My current little 5 ton electric Homelite unit dims my entire house when turned on and the pump starts running. Not good for appliances in house, and also of course shows you how much juice she is using. Electric on Long Island is VERY costly, my bill last year after splitting wood for a few weeks after the storm "Sandy", was HUGE. I'm sure it was mainly atributed to the heavy electric use....

2. The low profile build of those units (low ground clearance) makes towing them any distance a stretch I think. A couple good pot holes or road bumps and I'm not sure what would happend that those units ?

3. Can't take it into the woods to split wood as you cut/load truck which I would like to do. Unless I also bring out a geni, kind of a pita.

So I switched to look for a gas unit for those reasons. BUT, I do like those RAM units, they look well built, and powerfull for electric units. Good luck with it.
 
I believe CTA has the highest electricity rates in the 48 states, but in all honesty it has to be cheaper than gas and certainly less maintenance over time.

They do have towing packages, but of course that ups the cost. For me I don't need to tow. It may not work out for you. They also have Gas units that may suit your needs better, but was just offering another option. GL!

I looked very closely at the Ramsplitter electric units, as that is where I started this search, looking for an electric unit. Couple things pulled me away though:
1. My current little 5 ton electric Homelite unit dims my entire house when turned on and the pump starts running. Not good for appliances in house, and also of course shows you how much juice she is using. Electric on Long Island is VERY costly, my bill last year after splitting wood for a few weeks after the storm "Sandy", was HUGE. I'm sure it was mainly atributed to the heavy electric use....

2. The low profile build of those units (low ground clearance) makes towing them any distance a stretch I think. A couple good pot holes or road bumps and I'm not sure what would happend that those units ?

3. Can't take it into the woods to split wood as you cut/load truck which I would like to do. Unless I also bring out a geni, kind of a pita.

So I switched to look for a gas unit for those reasons. BUT, I do like those RAM units, they look well built, and powerfull for electric units. Good luck with it.
 
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What's ok? ?



What happends when you split a fairly large round? 1/2 rolls towards you, the other half rolls away from you. If you don't have a cather on both sides, 1/2 will roll off and either break your foot or just just make you bend over to pick back up... Or, you have to hold it with one hand.... pita. Plus, I think they are much easier to load with the catcher, just bring the log up the cradle, and let go, it will roll almost into place...



Then add shipping/trucking (there are no tractor supplies stores on LI) and uncle Sam's cut, and your at $1,200+. ;)
the huskee flips up to vertical for large rounds (not that I ever flip mine up) you could pick one up in ct if you wanted to take the ride

simple enough to build one
550281_567693186598561_887360501_n.jpg
 
What happends when you split a fairly large round? 1/2 rolls towards you, the other half rolls away from you. If you don't have a cather on both sides, 1/2 will roll off and either break your foot or just just make you bend over to pick back up... Or, you have to hold it with one hand.... pita. Plus, I think they are much easier to load with the catcher, just bring the log up the cradle, and let go, it will roll almost into place...

It sounds like you have never used an hydraulic log splitter. If the log is large and heavy, you aren't lifting it up to the horizontal beam anyway. That's when you switch to vertical operation (as already mentioned). If you get one up to the beam, you let the far split fall on the log catcher and the near split stays on the beam. At worst, you guide then near split with your hand. Leave the far split in the log catcher. Reposition the near split for further splitting. Not difficult. Nothing falls on your foot.

Then add shipping/trucking (there are no tractor supplies stores on LI) and uncle Sam's cut, and your at $1,200+. ;)

I can't do anything about the guvna's cut, but there is more than one way to get a splitter to your door. Know anybody with a pickup truck? $1200+ is still less expensive than the DR, which is an inferior design.
 
Ok, so I put the Huskee 22 ton, and QTY 2 of the Speeco Log catchers in my basket with shipping/trucking (less $50 off special), I am at $1,283.27 Having a hard time justifying that. I could instead have 6 coords of split wood delivered to my house. OR rent a unit from craigs list at $60 a day, and rent it 21 times (probably good for 10 years worth @ 2 days per year). But I hate renting things and having to live by somebody elses timing. If I own a splitter, I can work for 1 hour, every few days instead of 12 hours a day for 2 straight days... Then again, if I own one, I have to store it (I have no storage space), and mantaine it.

Dang, wish these were a bit cheaper. If the total was $980, I would buy it yesterday. So just 300 beans has me double thinking the whole idea. Then, last week I was on a boat trip (crusing eastern LI and North east). I spent about $3k on fuel in 11 days, didn't even blink an eye. Why is spending money on certain things so difficult?
You could always sell it and get atleast half your money back, so really it is costing you $650 at the most....look at it that way, I am, it would cost me $100 each time to rent at Home Depot,I need to rent it 2 times, then maybe get a $300 electric splitter, that's 500. It's starting to make sense to me to just buy one.
 
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Please don't take this the wrong way, but a lot of people pay extra because of where they live. If you live in Alaska, on an island, have corrupt local government or stupid nanny state rules that keep out certain businesses, you often end up paying more. It's the joy of living in paradise. ;)
 
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I believe CTA has the highest electricity rates in the 48 states, but in all honesty it has to be cheaper than gas and certainly less maintenance over time.

Actually, most expensive power is in California, then LI and Hawaii last I checked. CT is down a few from there, you guys have it "easy"! ;) I do LOVE the NO maintenance of the electrics, and no "when i pull the cord, is this damn thing going to start..." worries. I'm all over that, but not being able to take into woods is a killer for me.

.... you could pick one up in ct if you wanted to take the ride

Thinkin about that. Going to Newport in a few weeks, might try to hit a tractor place on way home....

2 days/6 cords. Seems like it could be more than 2 days.

That's not what I was saying, your mixing up 2 different references. The "2 days" a year was an estimate of how many days a year I will likley use.need a big log splitter. I tend to get all my wood together, cut to size, and then split and stack it all at once. So I would only need the splitter for a max 2 days to split 2 to 4 cords each year I'm guessing.

The "6 cords" is what I could purchase with $1200 instead of buying a log splitter. ;)

It sounds like you have never used an hydraulic log splitter. If the log is large and heavy, you aren't lifting it up to the horizontal beam anyway. That's when you switch to vertical operation (as already mentioned). If you get one up to the beam, you let the far split fall on the log catcher and the near split stays on the beam. At worst, you guide then near split with your hand. Leave the far split in the log catcher. Reposition the near split for further splitting. Not difficult. Nothing falls on your foot.

I have one now, it's just a small 5 ton electric hydro unit, but the concept is same, and beam width is the same at about 6" wide. So I do understand how the logs split and fall... I have no cradle now, and when I split any rounds with any real size (~15" and up), both sides tend to drop when split cleanly unless I hold the side close to me. I just think it would be much easier to not have to hold it at all, and both sides are caught. Also, isn't it easier to load a log onto the cradle, just roll it on instead of having to place it completely/perfectly positioned onto the beam? I would think so.....

I can't do anything about the guvna's cut, but there is more than one way to get a splitter to your door. Know anybody with a pickup truck? $1200+ is still less expensive than the DR, which is an inferior design.

I have a pickup, but I'd prolly burn more in fuel to drive 200 miles to nearest TS store than it would cost me to have shipped. ;) But I may try to make a stop on my next visit up to CT.. working on that option. Forget the DR unit, thats been shutdown already per above comments/problems with it. ;)

You could always sell it and get atleast half your money back, so really it is costing you $650 at the most....look at it that way, I am, it would cost me $100 each time to rent at Home Depot,I need to rent it 2 times, then maybe get a $300 electric splitter, that's 500. It's starting to make sense to me to just buy one.

Oh, I've tried all the math!! :cool: But at the end of the day, I still have to write a check for 1300 potatoes.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but a lot of people pay extra because of where they live. If you live in Alaska, on an island, have corrupt local government or stupid nanny state rules that keep out certain businesses, you often end up paying more. It's the joy of living in paradise. ;)

Not sure who that was directed at, but if me, I'm not sure what I would take the wrong way? nothing derogatory... in that. For me, it's not a cost thing, I'm lucky enought to be able to afford the $1300 no problem. The problem for me is justifying it, and then having to store it, maintain it... more of a, "do I really need a dang splitter in the way in my shed/ need to blow another 1300 cash"?
 
I get it now. I get a log length load usually and cut up and split that. Thing is, if you cut up too many rounds, you start tripping over yourself if you don't move them all somewhere. Then, I'm doing extra moving. Anyway, that's what I was thinking of.
 
There is many ways to look at it and in the end if you can afford the 1200 or 1300 which you already said is no problem you won't go wrong with the Huskee. I can tell you I love my 22 t Huskee and after owning it for a couple years now I would not be without. I have rented before and spent many years doing all my splitting with a monster maul. It is really nice to just get it out and spend whatever amount of time I want to on my schedule not someone elses.
 
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