Can the 5-Ton Homelite Electric Splitter handle the Pine?

NordicSplitter said:

Recently I got a log load Pine dropped off. Well it is almost all bucked up and ready to split. Its a combination of Red Pine, Yellow Pine, Norway Spruce and Traditional Evergreen. I cut the bulk of them to 18" in length and the average diameter it about 16" across. All in all, I have about 160-170 rounds to split. Due to the fact that this was cut down in the middle of March..I saw virtually no sap to speak of. No here is the question....How well do you guys think my 5-Ton Electric Splitter will do against these rounds? Thought welcomed.....

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I have an electric 5 ton splitter (among others) although not a homelite but the tractor supply variety. I would say you should have no problem although you may have to start split at the edges at times and try to avoid the larger knots. I have used that thing to split just about everything and about the only time it has struggled is with hardwood that was twisted or heavily knotted. You shouldn't have any problem with pine IMO. Primarily use mine now near wood boiler inside basement to make smaller splits when necessary.

It will do fine for pine at the max length you can fit regardless of diameter. I own one and also keep it near the stove for making smaller splits.....

I use the heck out of my 5-ton. I think the limit is a combination of length AND width if you rule out obvious knots and crotches. I've had plenty of rounds that needed help with a rip from the saw, but that seems to be specific trees more than a specific species. I know it's busted open 24" rounds.

I "extended" the hydraulic switch with a heavy crescent wrench. It was the most fortunate accident since the switch magically stays off or on when I let off the button for the motor. It saves a lot of time not having to traverse the full length to return and being able to back up only an inch and have it stay there.

Definitely mod for hands-free if you can figure it out. No doubt I've gotten tennis-elbow from holding both those controls down. Remember to close the bleeder valve if you move the thing around.

Pine, will not be a problem with your splitter.

This used to be a pine tree before my Ryobi electric splitter turned it into firewood

wahoowad said:

This used to be a pine tree before my Ryobi electric splitter turned it into firewood

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The Ryobi and Homelite are identical machines as far as I know, just different colors.

bobdog2o02 said:

It will do fine for pine at the max length you can fit regardless of diameter.

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I disagree with this. Most pine is straight grained and split easily. I have some yellow pine that I split in March that was full of knots. My 16 ton splitter struggled to get through nearly half of the pieces, and I don't think a 5 ton would have a prayer.

Now that said, I think that a 5 ton ought to go through 90% (or more) of the pine out there. I just caught some really rough stuff

smokedragon said:

I disagree with this. Most pine is straight grained and split easily. I have some yellow pine that I split in March that was full of knots. My 16 ton splitter struggled to get through nearly half of the pieces, and I don't think a 5 ton would have a prayer.

Now that said, I think that a 5 ton ought to go through 90% (or more) of the pine out there. I just caught some really rough stuff

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Well I guess there is an exception to every rule.