Log splitter opinions

jaoneill said:

35 ton is nice for the once in 5 years that you might need the extra power but they tend to be slower. Tonnage is determined primarily by cylinder size and the high tonage, large cylinders take more oil volume (and many times higher pressure) that usually translates into slower cycle times, unless they are fed with a comparably larger pump which they seldom have. I have a 3 point hitch vertical unit that I built forty five years ago and much prefer it to the horizontal/vertical store bought one that I only use occasionally. I originally built the 3 pt unit with a 6" cylinder and it would literally split anything; it would cut directly through a sugar maple knot if the knot didn't split. About 25 years ago, to speed up the process, I replaced the 6" cylinder with a 4"; half the cycle time and rarely come across anything it won't split.
The biggest advantages to the 3 pt vertical are twofold: 1 - you don't have to maintain another small engine and hydraulic system and, 2 - it is highly maneuverable. Simply back up to larger rounds, drop the splitter shoe to ground level and it takes a minimum of effort to jackass the round onto the splitter. I knock the larger rounds into manageable size pieces then raise the 3 pt until the shoe is at a comfortable working height and reduce the pieces to final size from a standing position.

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Dune said:

A quick word on super splitters.
Super Splitters will split any wood that can be split by an ax or maul. They will not split crotches and uglies.

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