Log Splitters: Wheel location/in way? AND Right or Left side controls?

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Machria

Machria

Minister of Fire
Nov 6, 2012
1,071
Brookhaven, Long Island
Two question on Log Splitters.

I noticed theTroy built units at Lowes had a really cool "feature. They offset the beams to one side of the wheel base. The other side held all the equipment (motor, pump, hoses...). So you end up with an open space on the one side to work and load logs onto the beam without much of the wheel/axel sticking out in your way. This seamed genouis, and looked to be very functional and I see no downside to it. The only problem is, the 27 ton (the size and price unit I would have been interested in), did not have a full lenght beam as you folks have mentioned to look for. The 33 did, but was too big and expensive more me. But it got me thinking....

1. Does your tire get in the way at times? I have noticed some units have the tire sticking way out dead smack in the middle of the loading area of the beam, making it so you would have to step around the tire constantly, or reach over it to load the log. Thoughts on this?

2. Some splitters have the Hydro control handle on the same side as the motor, some have it on the other side, so you can stand and work on the oposite side of the splitter as the motor which seems to make more sense. The troy built above, had the handle on the side with more space, opposite of the motor, with no wheel in the way. Lastly, the handle can be "Righty" (right handle on control handle, left hand free to hold/guide), or "Lefty" (left hand on control handle, right had free to hold/guide log). So which way do most people prefer, a Lefty or Righty handle?
 
I have the troy built. Its right handed control and I am right handed. With that said it works fine for me and have split north of 125 cords with it.
 
huskee 22 ton, right hand control and the tires dont get in the way

i would have to see the offset you mentioned but I would think that might be more of a pain depending on how you loading the logs, more of the axle in your way on one side

axle down the center is really a non-issue but I am sure others have diff opinions
 
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tek,
Does your Husky 22 have the control handle on the same size as the motor? The one for sale now at TS shows it that way, which looks to be a pita as you will need to stand on the same side as the motor ?
 
Having the engine on the same side as the operator does not make a difference in terms of getting in the way of operating the machine.

Having the engine on the other side of the operator and control valve does, however, make it safer to operate. The hot engine (muffler), noise, and exhaust are farther away from the operator. I purchased a Huskee 35-ton model in 2009, and its engine is on the same side as the control valve. By the end of that year, the new SpeeCo/Huskee models had their engines on the other side.

BTW, I have used many Huskee/SpeeCo splitters over the years, including 22-, 25-, 28-, and 35-ton models.
 
I have the same set up as Tekguy posted the picture in your original post log rack and all. The motor is on the same side as the control and the same side as you split if you are splitting horizontal which I do a lot of. I have never had an issue or problem. The tire thing has never bothered me either actually a few times it has come in handy if I have split something big and then have half laying on the rack, then say I split the other piece and it still needs split more I will take a chunk and rest it on the tire against my leg.
 
Machria said:
Two question on Log Splitters.

I noticed theTroy built units at Lowes had a really cool "feature. They offset the beams to one side of the wheel base. The other side held all the equipment (motor, pump, hoses...). So you end up with an open space on the one side to work and load logs onto the beam without much of the wheel/axel sticking out in your way. This seamed genouis, and looked to be very functional and I see no downside to it. The only problem is, the 27 ton (the size and price unit I would have been interested in), did not have a full lenght beam as you folks have mentioned to look for. The 33 did, but was too big and expensive more me. But it got me thinking....

1. Does your tire get in the way at times? I have noticed some units have the tire sticking way out dead smack in the middle of the loading area of the beam, making it so you would have to step around the tire constantly, or reach over it to load the log. Thoughts on this?

2. Some splitters have the Hydro control handle on the same side as the motor, some have it on the other side, so you can stand and work on the oposite side of the splitter as the motor which seems to make more sense. The troy built above, had the handle on the side with more space, opposite of the motor, with no wheel in the way. Lastly, the handle can be "Righty" (right handle on control handle, left hand free to hold/guide), or "Lefty" (left hand on control handle, right had free to hold/guide log). So which way do most people prefer, a Lefty or Righty handle?
Click to expand...

Splitting vertically the tires never get in the way.

On ours, the engine is on the left and the control on the right. I prefer it that way but one could probably get used to it either way it came.
 
Machria said:
tek,
Does your Husky 22 have the control handle on the same size as the motor? The one for sale now at TS shows it that way, which looks to be a pita as you will need to stand on the same side as the motor ?
Click to expand...

yes, I actually prefer to be on same side as motor

on the rare occasion that a split gets away and travels in direction of the motor i am there to stop it, if it was on other side I am sure I might have had a split or two bounce of the motor by now

i welded up the log rack on mine out of heavy wall scrap, I could stand on it no problemo
i never have any starting issues with the briggs on it, but I am firm believer in the use of stabil
 
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hmmmm... . I'm suprised there isn't more people saying the wheel/axel gets in the way... when I stand on the side of these things in the store, many of them have the wheel dead center of the splitting area, and it looks like you have to reach over it to load/unload logs. The 27 ton Troy built at Lowes with the offset just seems so smart. But it doesn't have a full beam.....
 
i basically only split horizontally ::P

people actually spend most of the time with it vertical? seems like more work unless you got nothing but big rounds
 
tekguy said:
i basically only split horizontally ::P

people actually spend most of the time with it vertical? seems like more work unless you got nothing but big rounds
Click to expand...


On the contrary, even splitting the smaller rounds it goes much faster once you learn the tricks.
 
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Backwoods Savage said:
On the contrary, even splitting the smaller rounds it goes much faster once you learn the tricks.
Click to expand...
your not bent over all the time when splitting?

horizontally its pretty quick, pick - place -split (catch on log table if big) - toss split to the stack pile -repeat
 
Hi - Troy Bilt 27 here. However I got a good deal on it. I would not hesitate to go with a 22 ton unit.

4 years on the Troy bilt 27 ton. About 100 cords. I like this unit... The balance is good. I am coming around to ocassional vertical splitting. I used to just slpit huge rounds say 30" and up in vertical mode. However I've noticed that the 'good sized' rounds that warrant vertical treatment have shrunk to barely 20" in diameter over the last few years. Ibuprofin consumption has also fallen off sharply ; ) Dennis may be on to something after all.
Mike
 
MasterMech said:
Because we would have to admit to splitting horizontally. And then Dennis would scold us.... ;lol
Click to expand...

LOL! ;lol

zzr7ky said:
I used to just slpit huge rounds say 30" and up in vertical mode. However I've noticed that the 'good sized' rounds that warrant vertical treatment have shrunk to barely 20" in diameter over the last few years. Ibuprofin consumption has also fallen off sharply ; ) Dennis may be on to something after all.
Mike
Click to expand...

LOL! ;lol

So nobody had a problem with the wheels in the way? Everytime I stand in front of one of these units in the store, the wheel seems dead smack in the way to be able to get to the load area, in Horiz mode of course. I'm sure I'll only split in Vert mode with 20 or 25" rounds and up. Most of my stuff will be done Horiz. and I want to make sure the control is on the side I will like (not sure what that will be, I'm a righty), and the wheel/motor is not in my way. That troy built 27 with the offset seems to make a ton of sense. Question is, how bad is it not having the full beam?
 
Dave USCG said:
I'm glad to see this tread! I just started building my own log splitter from scratch, Pic's to follow shortly;)
Click to expand...

What's your plan?
 
tekguy said:
your not bent over all the time when splitting?

horizontally its pretty quick, pick - place -split (catch on log table if big) - toss split to the stack pile -repeat
Click to expand...


Dennis Cook 4-4-09b.JPG

No, I am not bent over when splitting and do not understand why anyone would do that. My legs get lots of rest while splitting and I do not have to lift each piece to place it on the splitter either. I don't lift logs onto the splitter at all. I roll them onto the splitter. Much easier. In addition, many times while splitting I can have one hand on the control lever while the other hand is reaching for the next log to split. So I save my legs, my back and time.

I will state that we just do not split a little at a time. During the winter we cut the wood and just sort of stack it in rows but are not particularly careful stacking. Just so they are not thrown into a heap. Then it is a matter of placing the splitter alongside of the rows (we usually do this in March/April) and split away. That is why you see the larger pile of splits behind that guy. He has been splitting what he had cut the previous winter.
 
Backwoods Savage said:
View attachment 108999
. That is why you see the larger pile of splits behind that guy.
Click to expand...

I am also "that guy". I split a majority of my rounds from the seated position too. I rarely lift any logs, most are rolled to the splitter and placed on one side (usually the left) so that I can get them from my chair. Afterwards the splits go the right, into a pile until they can be stacked. I rarely have any back discomfort but after a long day Advil is usually in order.
 
Backwoods Savage said:
View attachment 108999

No, I am not bent over when splitting and do not understand why anyone would do that. My legs get lots of rest while splitting and I do not have to lift each piece to place it on the splitter either. I don't lift logs onto the splitter at all. I roll them onto the splitter. Much easier. In addition, many times while splitting I can have one hand on the control lever while the other hand is reaching for the next log to split. So I save my legs, my back and time.

I will state that we just do not split a little at a time. During the winter we cut the wood and just sort of stack it in rows but are not particularly careful stacking. Just so they are not thrown into a heap. Then it is a matter of placing the splitter alongside of the rows (we usually do this in March/April) and split away. That is why you see the larger pile of splits behind that guy. He has been splitting what he had cut the previous winter.
Click to expand...


One thing for sure, splitting this way you get to touch&feel every piece. Hurts just looking. But then again, I'm Horizontal Only. If I have a piece to big for the log lift, never been in that situation, I reckon I'll go to plan B. To Each His Own. Happy splitting no matter how you get it done !
 
My wheels don't get in the way.
I have never cut a tree that my log lifter wouldn't lift
I have much more range of motion and power while standing than I do sitting.
I have limited time for production, so production is a main goal.
I will take the bet any day:
6 rounds of 45" white oak. You sit (a universal you, not pointing to anybody), I will stand. See who gets done first.
Any takers??
 
Jags, what kind of lift do you have and/or splitter with built in lift?

I'm really suprised there are not more small (20-30 ton) splitters for sale with built in lifts at a reasonable price. It really doens't cost much at all to add a lift to a standard splitter. You already have the hydro pump, all you need to add is a 2nd control valve (or upgrade the single valve to a double valve), a 2nd piston, 2 hoses, and a basket/lift. If the entire splitter can be made, shipped and sold for profit at $1k, how much can that cost more, $200?

Why can't we buy a 20 or 27 ton splitter with a small log lift for $1500 or so?
 
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