30 ton Iron & Oak Question

[Gunny]

Well I am still here and not back in the states yet but I may have screwed up. As some of you know I ordered the 30 ton I&O horizontal splitter last month. I did order the wood cradles but did NOT order the 4-way wedge. I have heard many things about 4-ways on this site and most good. This is a removable 4-way and I believe 30 ton is plenty to use one. The real apprehension is the wedge is $310 by itself. I know I am spending well over 2K for the splitter and what's $300 many will say but looking at it on the site it does not look like it's worth that kind of money. Most of the wood I split is oak or maple some large and some small. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks in advance.

 

[blades]

Hi Gunny, I would run it bit when ya get back and see how it works out for you. 4 way puts a lot more stress on the beam. Same thing with rounds that are greater in diameter than the wedge is tall. With 30ton it is easy to over stress the beam ( got the T shirt). Kinda tortoise/hair thing. Safe journey home thanks for your service. ( my son was there a couple years back, Army rangers special ops, recently re-assigned to Seattle area. He is a Sargent/ don't know more than that, except that he has this habit of jumping out perfectly good airplanes into less than quiet areas)

 

[Gunny]

Thanks blades, I will try it but how will I tell the beam is being over stressed unless I try the 4 way? Its a 9" wedge and a 10" 4 way. Just so you know.

 

[Fifelaker]

You will know when the beam bends. Where at in Mi? I am up by Traverse City and can make you a 4-way much cheaper than 3 bills. Like the price of materials. I will weld it up in exchange for your service.

 

[blades]

Hi Gunny, you can see the beam start to deflect, you can dang near hear that something isn't kosher before that.. There is a definite strain sound that if allowed to continue or repeatably trying to force wedge through some thing will give.

 

[Gunny]

Fife, I am in New Baltimore about 40 mins north of Detroit. It sounds good to make a 4 way of course, let me get home first. I really appreciate the offer. I hunt near Big Rapids (west side of MI) and rock the wood. I will get in touch when I get home. Blades, lets hope this does not happen and I ask because I am trying to avoid it. I have split alot of wood with a Case 446 splitter trailer and never had a problem. Unknown tonnage and is a two way machine, but never had a problem. I will most likely take your advise and try it out first without. Why would they offer 4 way if it potentially could damage the machine? Isn't I&O experienced enough to know, or does that have nothing to do with it? Just another sale?

 

[Fifelaker]

Gunny, I think a lot of it is in the wood itself. Some of it you could use a 4-way on and some you can't. Nice straight red oak no problem, twisted elm big problem. I was just out back going through some scrap and I found an old wedge I forgot about. I can cut it for the wings. When you get back Bring the splitter to your hunting grounds and we can meet up and go from there. I am only 45 min. from big Rapids.

 

[Gunny]

Thanks a lot Fife. I appreciate it. I will contact you through private message when I get back. Don't know when I will be going up but we shall see. I will pay you for your troubles, Thanks.

 

[711mhw]

First off, thank you for your service!
Secondly, I wouldn't worry about the beam unless there is something wrong with the relief valve, and even in that situation, I think the motor would stall first.

 

[turbocruiser]

First off, thank you for your service!
Secondly, I wouldn't worry about the beam unless there is something wrong with the relief valve, and even in that situation, I think the motor would stall first.

Yes, thank you truly for your service and sacrifice. I totally agree that you won't be bothering the big beam the I&O's have. If that model has the two stage pump all that will happen will be shifting into second pump stage. If that model doesn't have the two stage pump you might strain or stall the motor but the I&O is a beast and basically loves all the abuse. Still, I'd start with the single wedge just to see how you handle it. In other words my splitter is faster than I am and much of my "delay" is clearing the splits the splitter already split and then again loading another round. I've thought about the 4 way too but so far simply haven't needed it. If after you get a good rhythm going you are ahead of the splitter then sure try using the 4 way but if the splitter is ahead of you save your money. It really isn't a matter of what that wonderful splitter will handle or won't handle. That's the best advice I'm able to offer there. Hope that helps.

 

[Gunny]

Thanks for all the responses, I appreciate it! I hope the case is that I&O's love the abuse because I have enough frustration built up to destroy some wood upon my return. The web site has not sent word of the shipping of the splitter yet. Does not bother me that much because I am stuck here but when I get home that will be another story. Oh, yes turbo it is a 2-stage pump so from your explanation it sounds like a plus. From what Fife said it does not sound like a large expense for his home-made 4-way so I will probably get it to use when I am up in northern Michigan, in the field, to speed up production. Less than 30 days left, thank god. Thanks to all!