Electric wood splitter

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mattjm1017

Feeling the Heat
Oct 23, 2012
408
Corapeake NC
So Im in the market for a splitter now I know a nice big gas powered 20+ ton one would be great but since Im also about to drop $1600 on a new trailer I cant afford to get a $1700 splitter too. Ive found several for around $200-400 and ranging from 4-7 ton. Does anyone have one how do you like it would I be better off spending an extra $150 or so for the 7 ton? How effective are these units for splitting big rounds like 2ft or more in diameter? I really appreciate any feed back.
 
Biggest I have split on my HF 7 ton so far was 22" and have split elm with it.
If U think U would like the Harbor Freight 7 ton ,go HERE , and print out the 25% off coupon,(good till 6/20/2013) price right now is 399.99 minus 25% = 299.99
 
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$2k i bet would buy a new 22T huskee and a really nice used trailer in the 8-900 zone ;?
 
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Search electric splitter on this website. You'll find lots of encouragement.
 
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$2k i bet would buy a new 22T huskee and a really nice used trailer in the 8-900 zone ;?
This is true except I cant find a decent trailer around here for that price point. Im thinking about just going to Lowes and getting one of their ten footers, but that's going to be a little while Im still searching craigslist and the like for a little longer.
 
Hey Mr whoopee how long have you had your splitter and have you had any big problems or complaints about it?
 
Patience & CL might produce :)

What type trailer you looking for? Want Brakes?

New 3000# for $1400 here
Some nicer ones, has a single axle 5000#.

Gotta be some similar ones used for less money $$.
Patience :).

I think the Lowes trailers are 2,000 # trailers
Not very heavy duty for the money IMO.

New 3500#, price $$ ? Sometimes trailer sales are cheaper than Lowes & more weight capacity.
http://www.carolinatraileronline.com/#!single-axle/c1jqv
 
So Im in the market for a splitter now I know a nice big gas powered 20+ ton one would be great but since Im also about to drop $1600 on a new trailer I cant afford to get a $1700 splitter too. Ive found several for around $200-400 and ranging from 4-7 ton. Does anyone have one how do you like it would I be better off spending an extra $150 or so for the 7 ton? How effective are these units for splitting big rounds like 2ft or more in diameter? I really appreciate any feed back.
What species of wood are you handling? Some species, like some oak and alder are easy enough to split that 24" isn't usually a problem. Where the electrics have the most trouble is with the gnarly, twisty stuff that needs more force. Electrics are best for smaller rounds or like in my case, splitting larger splits down. You may be happier with 22 ton Speeco or similar, usually for $1000 or less. No need to spend 1700.
 
Patience & CL might produce :)

What type trailer you looking for? Want Brakes?

New 3000# for $1400 here
Some nicer ones, has a single axle 5000#.

Gotta be some similar ones used for less money $$.
Patience :).

I think the Lowes trailers are 2,000 # trailers
Not very heavy duty for the money IMO.

New 3500#, price $$ ? Sometimes trailer sales are cheaper than Lowes & more weight capacity.
http://www.carolinatraileronline.com/#!single-axle/c1jqv
Im looking for a trailer to take trash to the dump and collect firewood. It cant be to big because right now I only have a jeep to pull it with. That's why Im looking at the Lowes trailers they have a 10' with a 3500# axle and a load capacity of 2040# for 1600$ or a 9' same axle and a load cap of 2540# for 1300$. The more expensive one has 16" sides whereas the smaller one only has the standard 8" sides. I am going to take my time though but not to much more Ive been looking for a while and its getting to be time to do something.
 
What species of wood are you handling? Some species, like some oak and alder are easy enough to split that 24" isn't usually a problem. Where the electrics have the most trouble is with the gnarly, twisty stuff that needs more force. Electrics are best for smaller rounds or like in my case, splitting larger splits down. You may be happier with 22 ton Speeco or similar, usually for $1000 or less. No need to spend 1700.
Right now Ive got a lot of maple and pecan theres also some gum that's going to be coming my way soon Im not sure what type of gum but well see. Like I said the biggest reason Im looking at the electric jobs is because Im also getting a trailer so as to be able to haul firewood around in but Im still looking for that super deal on a used trailer I know its out there maybe Ill get lucky and find it soon and be able to get a big splitter.
 
be patient with the trailer, you will find one, it just takes time to find a good used one. I won't tell you how long it took to find my trailer, but it is
exactly what I wanted and only cost about $500. Not sure where in NC you are but I am always looking for trailers and if I find a lead I would be
happy to send it your way. I don't have any right now though. If you want to get a tag for the trailer make sure you get a title. I bought mine without
one and it was a pain to get a plate, and now that I got a plate the DMV want to inspect it for a second time. Oh well.
 
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I personally think they are a waste of time. Not kidding. I owned a 7 ton Powerhouse model and sold the thing in less than 2 months. Good luck on bigger rounds...they just laughed at my unit. Also, the damned thing worked so slow. If you're gonna get a splitter, save your money and get at least a 20 ton hydro splitter. Others here will tell you the same.
 
is georgia a long ride? if not search that popular auction site for item: 261216609488
 
So Im in the market for a splitter now I know a nice big gas powered 20+ ton one would be great but since Im also about to drop $1600 on a new trailer I cant afford to get a $1700 splitter too. Ive found several for around $200-400 and ranging from 4-7 ton. Does anyone have one how do you like it would I be better off spending an extra $150 or so for the 7 ton? How effective are these units for splitting big rounds like 2ft or more in diameter? I really appreciate any feed back.

I had a 4 ton Ryobi it had plenty of power to do just about anything. For a little over 5 years it did all of our firewood and most of my buddies firewood I would say 30 full cord or more just for our supply not counting my friends. If the need arises again I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

Pete
 
be patient with the trailer, you will find one, it just takes time to find a good used one. I won't tell you how long it took to find my trailer, but it is
exactly what I wanted and only cost about $500. Not sure where in NC you are but I am always looking for trailers and if I find a lead I would be
happy to send it your way. I don't have any right now though. If you want to get a tag for the trailer make sure you get a title. I bought mine without
one and it was a pain to get a plate, and now that I got a plate the DMV want to inspect it for a second time. Oh well.
Im up in the North Eastern part of NC just below the VA border I sure would appreciate any heads up on a trailer Im going to keep looking for a little longer but the biggest problem is that the one Im borrowing just isn't up to the task of wood collecting and its not mine so if anything happens to it Ill be buying someone else a trailer.
 
is georgia a long ride? if not search that popular auction site for item: 261216609488
Yeah Georgia is a little to far for me to drive to get a trailer but thanks anyway.
 
Hey Mr whoopee how long have you had your splitter and have you had any big problems or complaints about it?

This is my 5th year, between my friend and myself, we split about 10 cords per year. The only problem was when my friend neglected to open the bleeder screw and blew the seals. He returned it to HD and they gave him a new one. If and when this one quits, I will go buy another.
 
Right now Ive got a lot of maple and pecan theres also some gum that's going to be coming my way soon Im not sure what type of gum but well see. Like I said the biggest reason Im looking at the electric jobs is because Im also getting a trailer so as to be able to haul firewood around in but Im still looking for that super deal on a used trailer I know its out there maybe Ill get lucky and find it soon and be able to get a big splitter.
Actually, some people have both an electric and a gas splitter. It would be reasonable to get an electric now. If you decide you need a gas model later for the big, gnarly stuff, the electric comes in handy in the basement or garage in the winter, or when you just have small projects. They are a lot quieter and always start on the first pull... The Ryobi 4 ton and Homelite 5 ton look like identical units side by side. Some of the 7 ton units have a dual speed mode. Personally, I'd go with a regular Ryobi or Homelite. If you get it at a local store or dealer, you can most likely return it later if it doesn't do the job.
 
Actually, some people have both an electric and a gas splitter. It would be reasonable to get an electric now. If you decide you need a gas model later for the big, gnarly stuff, the electric comes in handy in the basement or garage in the winter, or when you just have small projects. They are a lot quieter and always start on the first pull... The Ryobi 4 ton and Homelite 5 ton look like identical units side by side. Some of the 7 ton units have a dual speed mode. Personally, I'd go with a regular Ryobi or Homelite. If you get it at a local store or dealer, you can most likely return it later if it doesn't do the job.
I have to be honest here I didn't really need a gas splitter the electric did everything I needed and then some. It had a cord though and that was annoying. The gas was from a friend for $500 so it was a no brainier to buy it.

Pete
 
Some of the 7 ton units have a dual speed mode. Personally, I'd go with a regular Ryobi or Homelite. If you get it at a local store or dealer, you can most likely return it later if it doesn't do the job.
You could return a HF 7 ton at the store also,and with a coupon would be same price, as a 5 ton, The HF 7 ton is a two speed but, does not tell U that in the manual
 
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You could return a HF 7 ton at the store also,and with a coupon would be same price, as a 5 ton, The HF 7 ton is a two speed but, does not tell U that in the manual
I hear its a beast too !

Pete
 
I hear its a beast too !

Pete
I really don't have any thing to compare it to, only splitter I ever used, but most knotty stuff , it will split slice or crush, anything that wont split all the way I just add a wood block and finish it off, and if stuff is 16" a 4" wood block is much quicker
 
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I really don't have any thing to compare it to, only splitter I ever used, but most knotty stuff , it will split slice or crush, anything that wont split all the way I just add a wood block and finish it off, and if stuff is 16" a 4" wood block is much quicker
If had a local HF, I may have tried that one. However, it is really heavy at about 175#. Mine is right at 100 and I like to be able to get it on and off a stand. Any horizontal unit like these are best used at waist level. If you can handle that weight, it may be a good one. Looks like about $320 with a 20% coupon.

Oops, didn't catch the previous post showing a 25% coupon. Puts it right at the same as the Homelite.
 
If you look at the motor/pump and control box, you will find that all of these low tonnage electrics are the same, although the HF has somehow added a 2-speed feature. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the HF unit, even though I am generally leery of their electric equipment. The lower weight of the 5-ton units is a plus, I can put mine in the back of the car without help.
 
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