Electric 7 ton splitter ?

[RLS]

I am trying to figure out how these 7 ton splitters get 7 tons. They mostly all say they have a pump pressure of 2320psi. Its hard to find other specs on them, but several say the diameter of the ram is 1 5/8

This puts the area at 2.07 so the force is only 4809lbs.

What am I missing?

Even if I go with the outside diameter of the cylinder of 2 5/8 I only get 12549lbs. Still not 7 ton.

Thanks.

 

[Jags]

Welcome to the world of marketing. Even most of the big splitters use the same "formula". There is very little honesty in the world of tonnage for splitters.

(the "formula" for figuring tonnage for these machines is kept top secret and is an unbreakable code - it sits right next to the recipe for KFC chicken and Coke.)

 

[DanCorcoran]

I am trying to figure out how these 7 ton splitters get 7 tons. They mostly all say they have a pump pressure of 2320psi. Its hard to find other specs on them, but several say the diameter of the ram is 1 5/8

This puts the area at 2.07 so the force is only 4809lbs.

What am I missing?

Even if I go with the outside diameter of the cylinder of 2 5/8 I only get 12549lbs. Still not 7 ton.

Thanks.

I bought mine to split wood, not to validate marketing claims. It splits wood just fine.

 

[RLS]

Still it would be nice to know its close to accurate. I can't see any way they can hit 7 tons with a small cylinder like that.

On a side note has anyone noticed a big difference running the splitter with a heavier guage cord vs a lighter one? 10 guage extension cords are expensive. I'm debating putting a new 20amp circuit outside so I can run a 12guage cord to the splitter.

I just baught the HF 7 ton unit for $269. It seemed a better deal then the woodeze or powerkraft at near $500.

 

[firebroad]

Welcome, RLS!
You are right, there must be a lot of voodoo going on with the 7 ton rating, I have often wondered how that is calculated myself, I am sure an an engineer could decipher it.
Do let me know how that Harbor Freights holds up, I wouldn't mind a compact electric splitter myself.
I have seen some in TSC that are similar.

 

[BrotherBart]

Interesting that HF doesn't have the electric splitter on the website now.

 

[RLS]

try this link for HF splitter http://stage.hft-site.com/7-ton-log-splitter-97113.html

It was on sale 379 I got last one at the store for 359 plus 25% coupon.

 

[firebroad]

Good deal!

 

[DanCorcoran]

I have the PowerKraft 7-ton, but will buy the HF if and when mine dies. I've looked at the HF several times and can only see two differences: the PK has side panels to guard the pull rods and the HF has better wheels.

 

[Sprinter]

You could do it by slowing it down. That may be how the 7 ton units do it. I think some have two speeds.

But last year when I got my electric, I found that Homelite's 5 ton is exactly the same unit as Ryobi's 4 ton, so figure that out.

 

[Machria]

I don't know about tonage, but I had the Homelite 5 ton from Home Depot for 5 years or so. It Split just about everything I could get up onto it. Over about 5 years, I only had 2 peices of wood it would not split no matter what I did with them. They were some big crotchy pieces that just would not split. I had saved them, and when I got my 22 ton Ariens, I dropped them on and they did split, BUT, even the 22 ton unit had to really work to split them.

So the point is, they are pretty dang strong, whatever they are. Sure, I had to coax a few of the rounds a few times before they would split, where now I just drop them on the beam and away they split. But the 5 ton did split more than you would think. I would not hesitate to tell somebody to buy one of these little splitters, MUCH better than splitting by hand.

 

[Sprinter]

I would not hesitate to tell somebody to buy one of these little splitters, MUCH better than splitting by hand.

They aren't for the hard core processors out there with 24" logs, but for what I have it's perfect.

The Homelite's seem to be very popular here (this forum) and I've yet to hear of a problem outside of pilot error.

I'm glad to hear that yours lasted at least 5 years. Mine is only 1-1/2 and it groans on some of the stuff I feed it, but it gets at least 95%.

 

[Machria]

5 Years, and I sold it for $125 still working perfect.....

 

[MDFisherman]

I don't know about tonage, but I had the Homelite 5 ton from Home Depot for 5 years or so. It Split just about everything I could get up onto it. Over about 5 years, I only had 2 peices of wood it would not split no matter what I did with them. They were some big crotchy pieces that just would not split. I had saved them, and when I got my 22 ton Ariens, I dropped them on and they did split, BUT, even the 22 ton unit had to really work to split them.

So the point is, they are pretty dang strong, whatever they are. Sure, I had to coax a few of the rounds a few times before they would split, where now I just drop them on the beam and away they split. But the 5 ton did split more than you would think. I would not hesitate to tell somebody to buy one of these little splitters, MUCH better than splitting by hand.

Run the saw 1/2 way down the middle of those gnarly pieces and the 5 tonr will pop them

 

[Machria]

Run the saw 1/2 way down the middle of those gnarly pieces and the 5 tonr will pop them

OR, just get a 22 ton and be done with it!

 

[Biv]

I ran mine off a 50 ft 12 ga. cord and it seemed to lose power after about 30 min. of use. Hyd. fluid was fine. I ran it directly off my genset the next day and it split everything I put on it- surprised as there was some good sized red oak in the mix. I came across mine in a local ad- $75! The guy was getting ready to move, splitter was like new.

 

[Sprinter]

Sometimes it's easy to forget how long the 15 or even a 20 amp run might be from your panel before you even plug in an extension cord. I can get away with a100 ft 12 g cord because it's plugged in right next to a panel, so that's really all there is. If I plugged it in at the other end of the house, no telling how it would work.

 

[MrWhoopee]

They aren't for the hard core processors out there with 24" logs.

I will take exception to that statement.



I have split oak as large as 28 in., doug fir up to 33 in. The hard part is getting them on the splitter.

 

[dmmoss51]

I like your homebuilt stand to the level of the truck... of course I imagine as you load/unload the bed it changes the height...

 

[Sprinter]

I will take exception to that statement.



I have split oak as large as 28 in., doug fir up to 33 in. The hard part is getting them on the splitter.

Right, I forgot about you, Mr. W. I only wish I had 33" fir to try it on...

 

[MrWhoopee]

I like your homebuilt stand to the level of the truck... of course I imagine as you load/unload the bed it changes the height...

Yes, the truck moves up several inches as the splitting progresses. The splitter sits about an inch above unloaded height, so I do have to roll the splits up a little onto the splitter. I tried it with the splitter below bed height, but splits would bind against the tailgate and push the stand around.

 

[dmmoss51]

Yes, the truck moves up several inches as the splitting progresses. The splitter sits about an inch above unloaded height, so I do have to roll the splits up a little onto the splitter. I tried it with the splitter below bed height, but splits would bind against the tailgate and push the stand around.

Cool... I put one of these on my amazon x-mas wish list

 

[stayfitz]

Interesting that HF doesn't have the electric splitter on the website now.

I noticed that too. One day it was there and next it was gone

 

[BrotherBart]

I just noticed that tomorrow only Tractor Supply is selling a five ton for $199.

 

[stayfitz]

I just noticed that tomorrow only Tractor Supply is selling a five ton for $199.

Thanks for the heads up! I'll check the location closest to me in Carson City, NV