Bought the Ryobi 5-ton electric splitter two years ago. Bought the Yard Machines 25-ton gas splitter three weeks ago.
Some initial reactions:
Power: obviously, the electric can't hold a candle to the gas. In reality, though, there were very few pieces I couldn't split with the electric. It's good to know I can split anything with the gas, though.
Portability: although the gas has wheels (and now a wheeled tongue) the electric is far more portable--assuming you have access to a good cord and power outlet.
Cycle time: I'm sure some gas versions are quicker than mine, but between the Ryobi and Yard Machines, there's not much difference in speed. Partially, this is because the electric has a shorter stroke. When using the same stroke length, they're about the same.
'Stopability': One of my pet peeves with the electric was that it would always return home at the end of a cycle, unless there was another operator. This was a pain.
One-person operation: What I like most about the gas is that I can start and stop the ram when I want, which makes it much easier for one person and much quicker as a whole--since I always buck my wood to 18", that's all I need for a range.
Flexibility: though I've used only the horizontal position, there have been pieces in the past that I've thrown out either because they were too heavy to pick up or because I knew my electric wouldn't split 'em. With the vertical option, this is not an issue.
Maintenance: Gas = another engine, hydraulic fluid, hoses, wheels, gas, oil, etc. Electric: plug 'n play. I think this is the only real category the electric wins.
S
PS If any of y'all have other thoughts, I'd like to hear them.
Some initial reactions:
Power: obviously, the electric can't hold a candle to the gas. In reality, though, there were very few pieces I couldn't split with the electric. It's good to know I can split anything with the gas, though.
Portability: although the gas has wheels (and now a wheeled tongue) the electric is far more portable--assuming you have access to a good cord and power outlet.
Cycle time: I'm sure some gas versions are quicker than mine, but between the Ryobi and Yard Machines, there's not much difference in speed. Partially, this is because the electric has a shorter stroke. When using the same stroke length, they're about the same.
'Stopability': One of my pet peeves with the electric was that it would always return home at the end of a cycle, unless there was another operator. This was a pain.
One-person operation: What I like most about the gas is that I can start and stop the ram when I want, which makes it much easier for one person and much quicker as a whole--since I always buck my wood to 18", that's all I need for a range.
Flexibility: though I've used only the horizontal position, there have been pieces in the past that I've thrown out either because they were too heavy to pick up or because I knew my electric wouldn't split 'em. With the vertical option, this is not an issue.
Maintenance: Gas = another engine, hydraulic fluid, hoses, wheels, gas, oil, etc. Electric: plug 'n play. I think this is the only real category the electric wins.
S
PS If any of y'all have other thoughts, I'd like to hear them.