I'm ready to give up on the splitting axe, the maul, the wedges and the shoulder pain. Even though actual user info is scarce I'm about to order a Super Splitter. Has anyone here used the both the electric and gas and have any insight. I don't see myself using the splitter anyplace other than outside my back door so mobility isn't an issue. The quiet of an electric splitter is really appealing.
Electric or Gas Super Splitter?
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Light in the Dark
Feeling the Heat
You should like the perfect candidate for the electric version. You aren't doing this commercially, nor are you needing to use it at remote wood lot (even if you had to, you can always use a small generator).
I dont own a SS (but I sure as hell would love to)... but I have had the same theoretical question too. Ive got a loud MTD that Id some day love to sell off to move up to a SS.
I dont own a SS (but I sure as hell would love to)... but I have had the same theoretical question too. Ive got a loud MTD that Id some day love to sell off to move up to a SS.
Light in the Dark
Feeling the Heat
Bad LP
Minister of Fire
What would you like to know?
I bought a brand new SS with the Honda engine and work table from R White Equipment (nice guys) a few years ago.The Honda as we know is known for being quiet and it was rare I ran it on full speed as the noise level rose but the speed wasn't that much faster. The power level was also barely noticeable between 3/4 and full speed. Ran the Honda for 2 seasons.
I got the itch for being even more quiet so I ordered a 220 VAC motor from them with the sheave, belts and mounting plate. In my basement workshop I already had piped a 220 box for a future dust collection system. I came out of the 4X4 box first with a 2' length of 12-3 SO cord and a cord cap. I also continued with some more EMT and worked my way into my wood storage area that is part of the foundation but separated from the basement by a set of steel double doors. This room has an overhead door leading outside. The 220 electrical feed is inside by the overhead door.
I personally could not tell if there was any loss of power between the two options.
Bought 100 feet of 12-3 SO cord with some twist locks and made two cords. The first is about 20 feet and permanently wired to the SS. The balance is for working close to my wood shed.
I keep my SS in the wood storage area and when I first did the conversion I needed to re-split some wood as I had installed an insert in the LR and some of my firewood was a little too large. I'm downstairs re-splitting firewood in a tee shirt with some snowmobiling friends who were up for the weekend laughing.
The thing I learned quickly about the SS is too just let the wood fall off the end of the work table. It will build up a pretty good pile quickly. When this pile gets so large it can't grow anymore the pressure of the splits coming in contact with the pile will push the SS away. This results in a windrow of split wood in it's wake. I will someday make a ski like pad so that the splitter doesn't dig into any soft spots in the soil.
I am very happy with the choice of buying the SS. The only other splitter I looked at was a Timberwolf. Had I started out with electric I highly doubt I would have converted it to gas power. The Honda is sitting on a shelf only for the slim chance I might split out in the woods and haul the splits to the sheds with my tractor. I never leave my stuff outside in the rain or when it's not being used so having the electric motor is not an issue for me. The SS is easily moved by myself between storage and the wood shed.
While in use the beam will gum up a little with debris so keep a can of WD-40 or similar oil around with a putty knife. You might spray a little oil and scrape once every 3/4 of a cord. Takes seconds to do. I also be sure the rack and pinon have a good quality high pressure grease applied. The design is very simple as you know and there are no fancy parts. The fact that it's made in the USA is a solid plus for me.
I bought a brand new SS with the Honda engine and work table from R White Equipment (nice guys) a few years ago.The Honda as we know is known for being quiet and it was rare I ran it on full speed as the noise level rose but the speed wasn't that much faster. The power level was also barely noticeable between 3/4 and full speed. Ran the Honda for 2 seasons.
I got the itch for being even more quiet so I ordered a 220 VAC motor from them with the sheave, belts and mounting plate. In my basement workshop I already had piped a 220 box for a future dust collection system. I came out of the 4X4 box first with a 2' length of 12-3 SO cord and a cord cap. I also continued with some more EMT and worked my way into my wood storage area that is part of the foundation but separated from the basement by a set of steel double doors. This room has an overhead door leading outside. The 220 electrical feed is inside by the overhead door.
I personally could not tell if there was any loss of power between the two options.
Bought 100 feet of 12-3 SO cord with some twist locks and made two cords. The first is about 20 feet and permanently wired to the SS. The balance is for working close to my wood shed.
I keep my SS in the wood storage area and when I first did the conversion I needed to re-split some wood as I had installed an insert in the LR and some of my firewood was a little too large. I'm downstairs re-splitting firewood in a tee shirt with some snowmobiling friends who were up for the weekend laughing.
The thing I learned quickly about the SS is too just let the wood fall off the end of the work table. It will build up a pretty good pile quickly. When this pile gets so large it can't grow anymore the pressure of the splits coming in contact with the pile will push the SS away. This results in a windrow of split wood in it's wake. I will someday make a ski like pad so that the splitter doesn't dig into any soft spots in the soil.
I am very happy with the choice of buying the SS. The only other splitter I looked at was a Timberwolf. Had I started out with electric I highly doubt I would have converted it to gas power. The Honda is sitting on a shelf only for the slim chance I might split out in the woods and haul the splits to the sheds with my tractor. I never leave my stuff outside in the rain or when it's not being used so having the electric motor is not an issue for me. The SS is easily moved by myself between storage and the wood shed.
While in use the beam will gum up a little with debris so keep a can of WD-40 or similar oil around with a putty knife. You might spray a little oil and scrape once every 3/4 of a cord. Takes seconds to do. I also be sure the rack and pinon have a good quality high pressure grease applied. The design is very simple as you know and there are no fancy parts. The fact that it's made in the USA is a solid plus for me.
I see the electric is available 110v or 220v. I'm sure 220v has it's advantages; why else would they offer it? Do those advantages add up when we're talking four maybe five cord a year vs. the cost of wiring?
Bad LP
Minister of Fire
220 is more efficient. Rated amps is 15 versus 8.2. Nobody can ask to borrow my splitter
. Wire is wire. 12-2 off a dedicated circuit works for both feeds be it 110 or 220 as there is no neutral on the higher. Same goes for the splitter end. The absolute worst thing you can do is feed an electric motor with small wire. My total run from the panel to the longest end fell within range for #12. I also do my own wiring and had the EMT in stock plus the stranded wire that I pulled inside of it. Never having run one on 110VAC I can't comment on the performance.
The Hubbell twist locks cost almost as much as the wire I bought on flea bay.
They use a Marathon farm rated motor. The only thing is how it's tapped at the factory but it can be changed in the field between high and low voltage.
If my calculations are right I will be burning 6 cords a year thru my boiler when I'm fully up to speed. Up till now I've only run 12 or so cords thru it. I did not notice anything on my electric bill. We are not here full time...yet.
. Wire is wire. 12-2 off a dedicated circuit works for both feeds be it 110 or 220 as there is no neutral on the higher. Same goes for the splitter end. The absolute worst thing you can do is feed an electric motor with small wire. My total run from the panel to the longest end fell within range for #12. I also do my own wiring and had the EMT in stock plus the stranded wire that I pulled inside of it. Never having run one on 110VAC I can't comment on the performance. The Hubbell twist locks cost almost as much as the wire I bought on flea bay.
They use a Marathon farm rated motor. The only thing is how it's tapped at the factory but it can be changed in the field between high and low voltage.
If my calculations are right I will be burning 6 cords a year thru my boiler when I'm fully up to speed. Up till now I've only run 12 or so cords thru it. I did not notice anything on my electric bill. We are not here full time...yet.
Lakeside
Minister of Fire
I have not used a gas model so no comparison . Yes the quite and low maintenance of the electric is nice. If your looking for ways to reduce your cost you may want to install your own electric motor and wait until Mass has it's tax free holidays this summer if you can wait.
It's great to buy Made in the USA direct. All the Best to you.
Bad LP
Minister of Fire
Not sure you could buy a new SS with a no power option. He would still need belts, sheave and motor plate that has a tensioner then you get to screw around finding a motor to save what???
He's in NH and so is the dealer not to mention last summer the state did not have the tax free weekend and I'm sure after they gave themselves nice big fat raises a couple of weeks ago you won't be seeing another one.
Oh and BTW the guy in the video is going to hurt himself someday with his free hand being so close to the wood being split. I had a piece ricochet off the wedge into the steel work table that bent the edge about 3/4 of an inch. Stuff happens very fast.
He's in NH and so is the dealer not to mention last summer the state did not have the tax free weekend and I'm sure after they gave themselves nice big fat raises a couple of weeks ago you won't be seeing another one.
Oh and BTW the guy in the video is going to hurt himself someday with his free hand being so close to the wood being split. I had a piece ricochet off the wedge into the steel work table that bent the edge about 3/4 of an inch. Stuff happens very fast.
Yes I'm fortunate to be in NH where we don't have any sales tax.*
Called R.White Equipment in Nashua and they don't have any SuperSplitters in stock. Thought they could have one in two, three weeks if I wanted to order. Said they would call me when one came in if I wanted to have hands on before ordering.
Talked to the wife this morning. She was in Ft. Lauderdale waiting to come home from a meeting she'd been at the last week. Told her I almost got her a new red wood splitter for her Valentine's Day gift but they had none in stock. She said she was thrilled but I think she was kidding eh.
* We do have wicked high property tax and as yet we don't get assessed for equipment on the premises. Won't be surprised when that day comes.
Called R.White Equipment in Nashua and they don't have any SuperSplitters in stock. Thought they could have one in two, three weeks if I wanted to order. Said they would call me when one came in if I wanted to have hands on before ordering.
Talked to the wife this morning. She was in Ft. Lauderdale waiting to come home from a meeting she'd been at the last week. Told her I almost got her a new red wood splitter for her Valentine's Day gift but they had none in stock. She said she was thrilled but I think she was kidding eh.
* We do have wicked high property tax and as yet we don't get assessed for equipment on the premises. Won't be surprised when that day comes.
Lakeside
Minister of Fire
Not sure you could buy a new SS with a no power option. He would still need belts, sheave and motor plate that has a tensioner then you get to screw around finding a motor to save what???
He's in NH and so is the dealer not to mention last summer the state did not have the tax free weekend and I'm sure after they gave themselves nice big fat raises a couple of weeks ago you won't be seeing another one.
Paul mentioned the option to purchase without a motor to me , when I purchased mine. As for the sales tax your right .
Bad LP
Minister of Fire
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