Little Electric Splitter

I'm buying a 25 yard load of mixed logs from a tree service for $200, so I'll be needing a splitter. Will this one do for most stuff? I ain't springing for a grand for a gas one just yet.

Lowes and Home Depot both had a "5 Ton" Electric splitter that I came really close to buying. $299.00????? Seemed sufficient for MY needs, but we put off the purchase in favor of other more important needs.

I liked the idea of buying an electric one because I know how stubborn my lawn mower can be (starting) in winter. Figure the Splitter might also be stubborn, if I bought a gas operated one.

I was somewhat surprised at the bits of hydraulic maintenance that seemed necessary, with the unit I looked at. Then again, I haven't had occasion to use hydraulic tools at home, til this possible purchase.

-Soupy1957

wonder if they can just order one for ya??

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...9-2&AID=10368321&cj=true&srccode=cii_13736960


loon

Check out the website for a company called Pow "R" kraft Products....there's a link below. Apparently, from their website, they are the US distributor for a Chinese-made splitter that is sold under the Pow "R" kraft name and the Ryobi name (a wheeled version of the 4-ton splitter). Based on the photo on the Northline Express website, it is also sold as the WoodEze splitter. The Pow "R" kraft website even mentions that they can arrange for custom-branded versions.

One website that sells the Pow "R" kraft model charges about $30 more for the 7-ton model than does Northline Express, but theirs comes with a 2-year warranty and the Northline model only has a 1-year warranty. The video on Northline's website, showing the 7-ton in action, is very impressive.

Someone else on Hearth.com said they spoke to Pow "R" kraft in Oregon and that they stock all the spare parts needed for both the 4-ton and 7-ton models. I'm seriously considering the 7-ton model...it doesn't make any difference to me what name is on it, it looks like a good product.

http://powrkraft.com/products.htm

If you have a Direct Tools Factory Outlet near you, you can get a "refurbished" one pretty cheap. I put the refurbished in quotations because I think the one I got is brand new. Not a mark on it. Mine is the Homelite version which is identical to the Ryobi. They sell it for $179, but always have 20-30% off sales. I got mine 20% off for 143.20. Only has a one year warranty instead of the usual two. I figure if it lasts a year it is good to go. I couldn't find their web site, but if you are interested I will PM you a list of locations. I have no affiliation with them. I have bought a lot of stuff from them and been very happy.

On the other hand..........this morning while at Lowe's, I saw a young fella rolling out THIS gas-powered splitter, to the tune of $1200.00 +:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_314618-5654...r&pl=1&currentURL;=/pl__0__s?Ntt=log+splitter

-Soupy1957

P.S.: My only prejudice against gas-powered tools in winter, is that in the deep cold of the depths of "Winter" ..........they don't wanna start (Even IF I use Sta-Bil in the tank).

Tractor Supply has a 5 ton SpeeCo splitter. Just happen to see it in the paper the other day.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/-2152594#BVRRWidgetID

EatenByLimestone said:

I have a little electric that's something like 6 tons. It has done 90-95% of what I've thrown at it. Only the gnarlyist pieces were hit with the wedge and sledge or pancaked after I bought it. I don't feel it owes me a dime and well, it looks like it.

Click to expand...

Based on your glowing testimonial...

... I bought a 5 ton Task Force from Lowe's this afternoon. $299, plus $30 for a dedicated 25' 12ga. extension cord.

This thing is a trip! I fully expected it to cough and fart when I threw a 16" x 20" long shagbark round at it, but it went right through it like butter. Some twisted cherry that the Fiskars was just bouncing off of went clean in two without any trouble. It has a reasonably fast cycling time (13 seconds), and most of what I tried today split early on in the stroke, so I just released the control lever and let it return. It was ready every time before I could get another round into position.

I was fully expecting to give this thing a try, then pack it up and return it tomorrow. No way. This is just what I need right now. I'm gonna bring about 20 rounds at a time into the basement, then split and stack them right inside by the stove. How cozy is that?

New Fire Guy,
When those are sold off for the season, they're not to be found anywhere--I discovered that two years ago. It's a good seller for HD, so I'd be fairly certain they won't discontinue it. Check out TSC, Lowe's, etc.--they're mostly all the same anyway.

S

The Ryobi's are not available around me anymore, haven't been for about a year. They now sell a homelite version that's pretty darn close to it:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I believe Homelite/Ryobi are owned by the same company. My brother bought the Homelite a few months ago based on my Ryobi experience and it's VERY similar to mine. He has split about 3-4 cords with his so far and has no complaints. My Ryobi has probably been through 9-10 cords and I'm completely happy with it.

New Fire Guy,

My earlier post (above) tells you where to get the splitter which was sold by Home Depot as a Ryobi (there's a photo of it on the Pow “R†kraft website). If you want it to have the Ryobi name, and buy it from Home Depot, I can't help you. But if you want that splitter, it's the same one (count the holes in the frame on the Ryobi and compare to the Pow “R†kraft)...also the specs.

soupy1957 said:

On the other hand..........this morning while at Lowe's, I saw a young fella rolling out THIS gas-powered splitter, to the tune of $1200.00 +:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_314618-5654...r&pl=1&currentURL;=/pl__0__s?Ntt=log+splitter

-Soupy1957

P.S.: My only prejudice against gas-powered tools in winter, is that in the deep cold of the depths of "Winter" ..........they don't wanna start (Even IF I use Sta-Bil in the tank).

Click to expand...

I found in days past that starting an 8 hp Tecumseh on a January morn was made enormously simpler with a quart of Mobil 1 5W20 rather than 10W30 dinosaur juice. Worked just fine year round, too.