Timber wolf vs. Supersplit

2 completely different approaches to same end. Tw hydraulic, ss kinetic, The tw can be set up with a log lift do not know of a provision for that on the SS. Speed wise SS is faster, but when working alone that is a mute point. TW is going to be gas driven, SS can be electric or gas. The real question is How much are you going to processing- for the avg. home owner any of the box store units are more than enough. not to mention a lot less green stamps up front. Go rent a splitter for a day or weekend, give ya a better idea of operation, time,labor. with out shelling out big bucks right away.

Just recently picked up a used TWP1. It was about 10 years old and needed a complete service which took me about a week of sporadic week. Just got it running and used it yesterday and all I can say is wow! What a difference between swinging a maul/axe. Up until this point I had borrowed splitters of different makes and models or split by hand. I have the 4 way wedge which is a great TW feature. Pushed through a little less then a half cord while tossing it in my 4x8 yard trailer in less then a 1/2 hour.

Both of the splitter you are looking at are quality made and will get the job done. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. I had been looking around for about a year myself and this came down to the right deal, at the right time, for the right price. If you are buying new you should probably try to rent one as mentioned above. I also PM'd a few members on here and another site to get there opinions. Hope this has helped, if you have any questions about the TW feel free to ask. Good luck!

SS is aimed at high speed production, unless you burn many cords a year, sell wood, or are splitting to boil sap, a SS is overkill. Fun overkill, but still overkill.

I spent a lot of time looking at both brands. There was no consideration given to anybody else. I wanted a made in the USA splitter period. The SS is made in MA and the casting for the flywheel is from NH. Both dealers were NH based. In the past I've rented hydro splitters. I buy my wood cut, not split due to time constraints but own 14 acres of woods. In the future I will cut trees and process them (maybe). I store my stuff indoors at all times unless I'm using it. Even then it's covered for the overnights.

The rented units I felt were very low to the ground and just killed my back not from lifting but being bent over. The TW seemed to be a bit taller than others. Adding the log lift option to the TW clearly gave it an advantage but added a fair amount of cost doing it. Hydro units all have a lot of hoses and fittings that will need replacement. They have a pump and valve body that will need rebuild or replacement at some point. The unit was also very heavy so moving it around by hand is not going to happen. Storing it outside also speeds up the need of replacing items.

The SS is fast, very fast. A friend had one some 30+ years ago who sold wood and I was impressed back then with them. The simplicity just adds to the attraction. The cycle speed is something not to overlook. 1.5 seconds versus 15 adds up quickly. I want to get my chores done and move on to the fun stuff. I bought mine with the Honda option and after a few hours of listening to that run at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle it just got old. I don't use ear protection. I went out and bought the 220 electric motor and 100' of cord, 25 attached and a 75 extension. The unit is not as powerful under this arrangement but it's very close. The height of the unit is superb. The work table is key in spending more time splitting and less time bending over to pick up wood to keep splitting. One thing I learned is to just let the wood stack up as it comes off the table. I split in front of my shed and as the pile grows to the point of not being able to move, the wood coming off the table pushes against the pile and drives the splitter forward leaving a windrow in its path. No need to throw the wood into a pile to keep it out from under your feet. Nothing the split wood can hit is breakable unlike some hydro splitters.

The wood I burn is yellow birch, maple and beech. Some of it can be ugly with multi crotches and I won't lie to you, they are tough and the SS will do it but sometimes I just say screw it and set that crap aside for the fire pit. The SS leaves plenty on the ground for kindling and I really don't need a 4 way.

Last winter I was getting to end of my indoor wood storage room that had been there for a few years and was split for a different stove and fireplace. I plugged in the SS and was splitting wood in a tee shirt down in my basement.

As for the cost it's peanuts in the big picture of life. I have a lot of expensive hobbies.

My biggest complaint, and reason for getting rid of the Supersplit, you must pick everything up to split it. I bought a 28 ton Oregon, that tilts, and my back is much happier now. There has not been a single piece of wood the Oregon could not split. The same cannot be said about the supersplit. We were leaving crotches in the woods, which was adding up to alot of firewood. Would I buy another supersplit, no, save money and buy a cheaper hydro.

The DR units were problem prone out of the box, original series was pulled from market. If this was a later one sounds like they still haven't got it right. I do about the same amount as you have mentioned just using a standard hydro splitter ( original HF 30 ton rated- mangled that and rebuilt it a few years back) Strictly horizontal, found the vertical was not functional for me. Been some reviews of a couple of the 2 way splitters mostly favorable so far. That would increase production some without a huge expense. As I stated before working alone I do not find that the speed of my unit is a hindrance ( it is not fast) as by the time I grab another round it is ready anyway. Mega bunch of the 20 (or so rated) ton units out there being used every season. Mega sized rounds either get noodled or I lift them with tractor and place on beam. Safer noodling them though as even 1/2 of a 40" round is going to be to heavy to change its mind in the direction it decides to go ( heck some of the 1/4s aren't any better).

If your considering a hydro unit, have you thought about Northstar from Northern tool and equipment. I have their 37 ton model with Honda engine and have put over 20 cord through it. Their customer support is very good. Only problems I have had are some bolts coming loose. They promptly sent me new ones to replace the ones I lost in the pile of wood scrapes. May be worth a look.

Newburnerwisconsin said:

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I am thinking a Ariens or husqvarna 27 ton. The other splitters do not offer local dealers or service.

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Just curious, did you investigate DHT splitters? They may be ordered through Home Depot and Lowes. The 28-ton model compares favorably against those you mentioned and is at least 5 seconds faster than either of those machines in rated cycle time.