Log Splitter ?'s

All the specifications are relative. Unfortunately the manufactures use specifications to market their perceived advantages. Don't get caught up on one specification. Buy the overall package. Horse power has been overrated for years. If we all bought vehicles on horsepower we'd all be driving mack trucks.

speed of ram is over rated particularly if working by yourself. 11 gpm pump and a 5-6 hp internal combustion engine with a mfg rated tonnage of apx 20 or so is more than enough to get the job done for 98% . The ram needs to be guided along the beam various configurations they all work just fine. There is no one particular design better than another in the overall picture - more along the lines of what will work best for your particular endeavor. Every unit is designed with the same idea - least cost to mfg to maximize profits- therefore there are shortcuts or if you will, design flaws/ trade offs built in to every unit.
The overhead valve type ic eng. generally runs more efficiently than the older flathead designs. A diesel is more efficient than its gas counter part for a given displacement most of the time. Cycle time is dependent on flow rate - the faster you can fill and empty the ram the quicker the cycle- this is not completely dependent on the gpm of the pump - size of lines and ports on valve and cylinder enter into the equation as well.

I originally bought a speeco 22 ton unit that had the 3 point hitch. Recently I welded up a frame and put tires, an engine, and a pump on it. My speeco is great, but like others have said, the brands don't really matter. I have a 6.5hp predator engine and a 13gpm pump on mine. You can't really go wrong with any of them. And in my experience, I wouldn't pay more for the 28 ton. I've never stopped my 22 ton splitter - I've even sheered logs sideways. I'm not really sure why they even make a bigger one haha. I've split probably 40 cord so far. I even welded up a 4 way slip on wedge that slides over the main wedge to split a log in 4 pieces. Never been able to stop the splitter with that on there either.

msjones2452 said:

Thanks for the info guys. I think I've got my choice narrowed down to either a Dirty Hand Tools or SpeeCo. Although, I did find a Brave on sale that's made in the US.

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Two best options, right there. I have a speeco that I love. Lots of people like the Dirty Hand Tools splitter. I've split about 40 cord with my Speeco 22 with a 6.5 horse briggs, and it's absolutely good as new. Better, considering I've broken the motor in correctly, added a log catcher, and blueprinted the machine just a bit including filing the wedge sharper, smoothing some stuff to operate better.

But mine still looks like new, and starts on the first pull. Couldn't be happier, and I've yet to find a chunk I couldn't split.

I just recently bought the Ariens 22T log splitter. It is 174cc Subaru which is a smaller engine than the DHT 22T 196cc Kohler splitter. It has plenty of power. The Ariens has a 12 second cycle time which is way fast, and is always ready for the next log before I can get one to it. They rate it at 8.26 ft.-lb. of torque which has split everything and anything I give it. Just for fun I threw a twisted piece that had several knots every which way and it just shredded it up. I also put a 30" diameter by 23" length round in and it cut through like butter. I actually heard the splitter laugh at me and say "Is that all you got?" I see no need for anything higher than 22T.

msjones2452 said:

I've been looking at several different hydraulic splitters. With info I've gathered from here and from other research, I've focused in on a 22 - 28 ton machine. I was hoping though that the experience and knowledge here can clear up a few questions for me.. One thing I've noticed is that even with the same advertised tonnage, there are a lot of variences such as hydraulic pump and engine size.

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You will get what you pay for...
So with that in mind, you have to weigh in what kind of user you will be...
Splitting your own wood, a few cords per year, or doing the commercial thing, splitting for profit.
Another thing that's not mentioned in other replies, is the option to split both horizontally and vertically. If you have big heavy logs, you might wanna use the vertical option.

1. How does pump size affect performance? (example: splitter A has 13gpm pump, splitter B has 16gpm pump both are 28 ton and both have the same engine.) I thought a higher gpm pump would provide a faster cycle time but the advertised times are the same.

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As mentioned of others, there is not one manufacturer that have all the "numbers right" unless it is the high-end splitter. They can, for example call the splitting force 22 ton, but the math of cylinder diameter and pump pressure will tell you it's quite lower. Same thing with cycle time.
What most "cheap" splitter can struggle with is that their line sizes are under dimensioned, and that will create heat build up in the hydraulic system.
So this is something you have to review if you plan to become a more commercial user.
Another issue is how cold sub 32F to 0F conditions influence the splitter.

2. How much does engine displacement affect performance? I understand some brands of engines are more or less efficient than others but I've seen the same capacity splitter with two different size engines of the same brand. Given all other variables are equal, would a larger displacement engine offer any advantage over a smaller one?

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Same thing as above. If you are thinking about a large scale splitting biz, go with quality engine, diesel or Honda gas etc. But if the engine is just on the margin to run the pump att the pumps max allowed pressure, at both high and low stage, it will not become any better over time. And that means you will have to knock down pressure settings (tonnage) a notch or two, when engine starts to get tired. But that's many years in the future if you are a 3-4 cords per year user.
As long as the engine can keep up its rated "3600 rpm", and not bog down under load, there wont be any better with a lager engine.
It seems these days more popular among some engine manufacturers to label engines with a torque-rpm rating, rather than a horsepower rating.

3. I've noticed that most, if not all, splitters manufactured in the US have their splitting wedge "wrap" the beam. (I hope that makes sense!) While overseas models seem to have their wedge ride in a "track". Are there any advantages/disadvantages to either design?

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The wrap design is a less expensive design to fabricate. Both designs ned a "wrap", but it is cheaper to make a "4inch" wrap on the ram, than a 24 inch wrap on the beam.
Also, the wrap on the beam will fill up with bark and splinters, so it needs to be open in both ends.

4. When considering hydraulic splitters, are there any "must have" features? How about "steer clear of" features/designs/flaws? I know everyone will have their own personal preferences but I'd appreciate your input/experiences.

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Consider if you want the wedge on the ram or at the end of the beam. At the end of the beam, the log will be pushed forward, which might be negative, if you want to split the two halves into quarters or smaller. With the wedge on the ram, the pieces will stay in front of you, waiting for another split cycle.
With the wedge at the end of the beam, you could rebuild to cross wedge in the future. A cross wedge on the ram does not make sense.

• Log lift if its a horizontal only splitter
• Adjustable cross wedge
• Allowing both vertical and horizontal splitting
• Side or an end table to catch the splitted logs
  
• Small conveyor helps to clear the area around the splitter

Unless you have a log lifter, or don't need to split anythng bigger than you can lift, you should be looking at a splitter that can be run vertical as well as horizontal.

A few years ago, there were a few manufactures that had the engine mounted to the rear of the oil tank. Such that when working horizontal, splits would fall, a hit the engine. Mine is fine, and the rounds stilll bounce off the tires.

I like the flat I beam design that I have. I haven't used one of those rolled metal guides. IMO it looks like a lighter design that will trap wood under the guide.

Vertical is a great advantage. With my recent load, there was no way I was lifting 90% of it to the horizontal position. I could barely roll them into position on the vertical platform.

I like my horizontal splitter !

Now that's a horizontal splitter. But unless your looking at one like that, get not that goes vertical.

UnlessI was planning to use a cross-wedge, I would definitely go for a splitter with the wedge on the ram. Vertical or not, this will give you the least of moving the logs, if the logs need to go through the splitter more than once. That basically means more split wood per hour

A couple of reasons you need a side table on a horizontal splitter

This one might even crack his filter plumbing, and it also show how important it is to setup up the splitter in a way so you do not have to carry the logs 20 ft, when they are laying only 10ft from the splitter...

Some nice features on the wedge at the end of the beam...

Two-way splitter with double side tables

Vertical splitter, also show auto return

Not so common 4-way wedge on the ram