Another Happy Ryobi Electric Splitter Owner

Unpacked my Ryobi electric splitter today. It had excellent packing- a very good sign. Then I could see the solid workmanship on the unit itself - looks like it is built to last and not just a cheesy chinese POS. I ran about a dozen logs through it and had a blast. I use 16-18" logs and it split them effortlessly. My logs were 10-12", still very wet inside and it handled oak and locust perfectly. Very pleased.

Glad to hear the good report, wahoo. I ogled one at home depot yesterday, it was heavier than I expected. I'm about to buy a few truckloads of insulation from HD, they are giving a $75 gift card for every $250 of fiberglass insulation purchased. I plan on applying them toward the splitter.

congratulations wahoowad you'll have to do a video like donct and show that bad-boy off
enjoy

Jason

With all the positive reviews of this splitter, it has really made me want to go out and get one.
Thanks guys!

Congrarats on the new splitter. Lets see some pics or video of it.

wahoowad Its amazing what 4 tons will split, pretty fast too Like I said the best 4 ton splitter made

its a fun productive toy to fool around with. Who knew splitting could be so much fun

Another hint if splitting the logs in multi splits, it makes no sense to do the initial split down the middle Third or quarter
the round first work with the tool and its capabilities. You will be more productive and the tool will last longer

A tip all splitter owners should do, Spray Pam on the splitting wedge or silicone
works on maul heads as well

I like how the Ryobi automatically retracts the ram when the lever and button are released. On the more expensive splitters you have to hold the lever for the ram ro retract. For $300 the Ryobi is a deal.

NICE! The 4 tonner works great for me. As shown in the video, it will even do most of my crotchy stuff too. Just have to finess it alittle.

Elk, I'll have to try the Pam trick.

I just watched the video posted of the Iron Horse. I noticed he let his ram go almost all the way to the wedge while splitting. Mine starts to make the motor whine a little louder when I go more than maybe 60% towards the splitter and the ram starts to jump a little bit. It made me think there was a limit on the travel and maybe I was binding some kind of hidden return spring. But there are no limits mentioned in the instructions (yeah, I read 'em). I do have the bleed screw open on mine during operation as per the instructions.

Any thoughts on why mine doesn't seem to run as smooth once it gets more than 60% of travel? The first 60% is smooth as butter.

It's probably just getting excited...

Maybe it needs more butter?

Make sure the splitter is level when using. If the splitter has to be tilted due to unlevel ground, etc. make sure the front of the splitter ( splitting wedge side) is up higher than the motor. If the wedge side is facing downhill, the fluid will run away from the motor and cause the shudder you are describing. Also when transporting the unit, keep it as level as possible. The fluid shifts around and the first few times it will jerk about like you are describing. My Ryobi did the exact same thing until I figured this out.

wahoowad,
just trying to think of any possibilities but are you running off a 20 amp circuit with 12 awg or better wiring all the way from the electrical panel? along the same lines, are you using an extension cord thats at least 12 awg?
anything less than that and i believe you could damage the motor. (according to my brother in law electrician)
also did you check the fluid level? mine has a dipstick, not sure on the Ryobi.

K good advice 20 anp curcuit required 12 gage extention cord als required
woul you bleieve I can use my 16 tone as far away as 250 ' from the plug
first extention is 100ft 10/3 wire then the next is 12/3 and I have added another 50' of 12/3 cord

Yes, I picked up a 50' 12/3. It's a definite must.

12 gauge REQUIRED? C'mon guys... Suggested, yes. Required, no. The voltage drop and current loss from the increased series resistance of 14 ga compared to 12 is negligable.

My Makita chainsaw requires 15 amps, and warns to use 12 ga wire. I normally use a 50 ft. 12/3 out to the cutting area, but it was being used elsewhere this last weekend, so I used a 16/3 cord I had laying around, with 10 ft of 18 ga to make up the distance. I didn't experience any difference in the performance of the saw.

Thats what a welder friend of mine thought as he was using a 110 welder on Christmas light extension cords to weld up something 100' away and burn up the welder. Was a hard lesson learned.

Well he was an idiot. Christmas light extension cord is 18 or 20 ga. So you're comparing 100 ft of 18/20 ga to 12 ga. That's a BIG difference.
I was comparing 50 ft of 14 ga to 12 ga. NOT a big difference.
Do the math. You'll see.

Plug in the splitter...Plug in the saw...it just doesn't seem right! What's next plug in the lawn mower, leaf blower and pressure washer?

What ever happened to fill'er up, pull the cord and let'er rip?

There's just something about gas powered toys! Hell, if I wanted to rely on electricity I would just turn on the baseboard heaters and curl up under the electric blanket with the wife.

There are some of us that can't use gas powered equipment at our residences. I live in a Townhouse and I don't think my neighbors would appreciate the noise

using electricity is a greener option like watter falling over a dam in this case. 50 % or greater is what we use developed from Hydro

I have plent of gas powered equibment and desiel powered as well I wanted to see all the alternatives and see how they work.

If in the fire wood business, none of these splitter would be an option I would have a processor b ut to some this is all that is needed and they do make electric lawn mowers and l
leaf blowers

Ever use a gas powered compound miter saw inside a home doing finish? You will not be welcome long

They also make electric pressure washers.

Regarding electric wire being too small and damaging an electric motors.
I really have no personal experience but my brother in law (the electrician) said he has seen electric air compressors on job sites bite the dust on more than one occasion due to the wiring supplying it not being sufficient.
I don't think there's really any warning before it happens.

I probably come across as a sour puss too often, (I'm really not!), but I've got to ask: after watching a couple of elecrtic splitter videos posted here my thought was that it looked like quite a bit of handling required to process rounds that could have easily been split with one or two whacks with an old fashion maul. I guess if one has physical issues, bad backs, etc. they might be ok, but all in all I bet an experienced maul spliiter could process way more wood in a given period than these electric splitters.

I am using a sufficient extension cord (12/3 @25' long). I keep the unit level and will check the fluid level.

I enjoy splitting by hand - gets me off my ass, gets me outside in the fresh air. Working with mother nature and basic hand tools to split wood is rewarding in itself. But there is also an odd sense of glee I feel as I watch that splitter effortlessly split the wood right where I want it. Linda like the difference between going for a walk and riding my motorcycle. I like both.

I hope no one took me too seriously with my post / rant about electric equipment... It was really ment to be more tongue in cheek...

By the way, I still have the electric lawn mower from my last house, right next to the electric pressure washer and electric leaf blower. Along with just about enough cord to circle the globe!