Looking for a wood splitter and wedge - suggestions, please

[vermonter16]

My husband spent his first winter in Vermont and we went through 5 cords of wood (would have gone through more if we'd had it) and realize that a wood splitter would greatly benefit us instead of buying precut wood.

The budget is at $1500. We'd probably be cutting a lot of maple and oak which may or may not be green. We'd also like to be able to use a 4 way wedge to save on cutting but I'm not sure how that would fit with our budget or if we could find a machine like that within our budget.

This is brand new for us and I've been looking online at log splitters but I really don't know what I'm looking for or how to even judge what I really need. I'm hoping that there are some 'experts' out there with experience that may be able to help. I would estimate that we'd be cutting 6-7 cords of wood (at least) per year - if not more.

Last year we relied on buying precut and a lot of that still had to be cut up which took a lot of time in the middle of the winter (lesson 1 - don't move unprepared in November to Vermont).

Anyways - thanks for suggestions and help. I think we'd like to buy this within the next month or so.

 

[Jags]

A 22 ton Huskee at $999 sale price leaving $400 for a nice saw and $100 for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Add to that time and wood (maybe a method to move it) and you have firewood.

 

[Fred Wright]

Well... if you plan to be doing the wood splitting near the house where there's an electrical outlet I'd suggest an electric splitter. Not those 7-ton Chinese cheapos, a good 16-ton or better hydraulic splitter fitted with an electric pump motor. They're quiet and you don't have a fuel tank to fill.

The 4-way wedge can save time and effort. Usually the company that sells splitters also offers a 4-way wedge for them. Bear in mind, the 4-way shortens your log or round length by the space it occupies on the splitter beam. In our case with a small splitter, the 4-way allows only 16" and shorter pieces. Because of this I don't use it often. Some of my cuts come to over 16".

Hope it helps.

 

[vermonter16]

Thanks for the suggestions. We've got a great saw already and I suppose we can definitely use that for cutting some of the larger pieces of wood that a 'possible' wedge wouldn't handle. Do you really think a 16 ton electric or 22 ton would be enough? Obviously you do and since I know nothing about this....just wondering why one ton over another, etc.

 

[Jags]

Please note that the suggestion for the 16 ton in an electric unit, not a typical gasser. Most people find that a splitter around the 20 ton range will handle the vast majority without much fuss. If you were to tell me that all you had for wood was fence row elm - I might make a different suggestion.
The 22 ton huskee has quite a following around here and is a good "bang for your buck" unit.

 

[vermonter16]

Thanks! Good thoughts! My husband is under the impression that bigger is always better....and so he was looking at 27 ton units or thereabouts - I just want to be able to give him some feedback.

 

[Jags]

Nothing wrong with larger tonnage, but pay attention to cycle times. Some can really start to be slow as the tonnage increases (depending on what parts they use on the machine). Some aren't.

 

[bluedogz]

Thanks! Good thoughts! My husband is under the impression that bigger is always better....and so he was looking at 27 ton units or thereabouts - I just want to be able to give him some feedback.

Speaking as the husband who has often thought the same...

Stop in your local rent-a-shack. Log splitters are common rental items and cost maybe $75-100 for a full day, less for partial days. Try out a couple. This may make the whole exercise cost $100 more, but may save you from spending $5-600 more than necessary on the tool.

 

[Applesister]

If the two of you get involved together in the processing a one person operating splitter will be slow. I have an MTD that I financed at Lowes. I love it for myself. Vermont has DRcompany in Vergennes, near Birlington. They have a flywheel splitter and generally sell alot of property maintenance equipment for landowners. Ive bought alot of stuff from them. Good company. Northern Equipment sells some interesting splitters too, see if you can find a catalogue. Im not sure about the Huskee, Tractor Supply sells them. The good thing about them is they are open till 8:00 at night and weekends. For parts. I run the MTD by myself using the vertical position option and I sit on a round, its easier on the back. You could rent a couple of different types to see what options you need. Like I said, the single operator models go slow for 2 people but they are designed so no one squashes a finger. They make splitters that run off the 3 point hitch on your average tractor. They have more power and they run faster, the drawback is the tractor has to be in working condition as well as the splitter. Theres a company called Wallenstein that may have a line of splitters too. They have some great stuff too.

 

[vermonter16]

Wow, lots to think about. Yes, in the future I will be helping my husband - this year, he may be on his own as I'm still living in Virginia. Applesister - I know exactly where Vergennes is. I am going to talk to my husband about possibly renting a splitter or thinking about going down to a 22 ton size - not sure I will be able to shake him of that or not. Just to be sure - we 'technically' shouldn't have any problems with a 22 ton splitting green wood? I know we have a TSC close to the border and a Lowes and HD in NH.

 

[Applesister]

I have horses and a commonly accepted principle in the equipment buying philosophy is to "buy the best you can afford." Horse people have another philosophy, " size does matter." Especially in the draft horse circles. ;-)

 

[mellow]

I can't say anything bad about the Troy Bilt 27 ton splitters at Lowes, I bought a custom made 4way that is really heavy duty and will last for a VERY long time. The 4way makes up for the slow cycle times on the rounders.

 

[midwestcoast]

I don't have a hydraulic splitter, but I can assure you that there are many members on here running 20-22 ton splitters who say they've never had a round they couldn't split, or in X-many years have had one or 2 rounds that wouldn't split... To me I couldn't see paying 40 or 50% more for a splitter just on the chance that it could split one or two difficult rounds over the years...

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I have the Huskee 22, I was on a budget, it is very well made and I am quite happy with it, but, if your going to run 7 cord a year through it and you have the money, I would probably go with the 35 ton, you can see a difference in that the 35 looks more durable, these things hold their value. So I say if you can afford the 35, get that one.....IMHO....

 

[Ski-Patroller]

I have one of the 4 ton HF electric splitters and have been amazed that it has split everything I threw at it. I thought anything less than 20-24 tons was a joke, but it looks like you don't need all that much tonnage to get the job done. We buy our firewood pre-split, but have to re-split it to get it to wood stove size. The rounds are typically 18 to 24" DF or Larch and they have been quartered. We go through about a cord a year at our weekend ski cabin.

Harbor Freight has a 20 ton gas unit that is on sale right now. It is a horizontal only unit (which I think is ok) I have not seen one in the flesh so I don't know how well built it is.

I really like the idea of an electric splitter rather than gas, but be aware that any larger splitters will require a 240 v outlet with a minimum of probably 20 amps (maybe more).

 

[vermonter16]

Haven't spoken to my husband about any of this yet but here is the one he was originally interested in that got me started researching a little. Any thoughts or opinions on this one? Thanks.

(broken link removed to http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-208cc-ohv-27-ton-log-splitter-50/p-07177661000P)

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

Harbor Freight has a 20 ton model on sale for 699. You can Google for a 25% coupon which brings it down to about 525. Then whatever shipping costs. Seems like a pretty good deal if you ask me. No idea about ease of use or quality. But I do have a shredder that has the same Predator engine and it runs great. One pull start every time.

 

[mellow]

Do what I did, go to Lowes and find a 27 ton that has some dust on it and get the manager and offer him $1000 for it, that is how I got mine, that craftsman I do believe is a rebadged Troy Bilt. Then you can do the 0% financing and pay it off early.

 

[Fifelaker]

Another vote for the Huskee 22 ton unit. That Sears has the trunion mount cylinder that have been known to fail. I split around 10-15 cord per year and the 22 ton has split every thing I have thrown at it. It is also easier to move by hand which is a plus (for me).

 

[mstoelton]

As stated above the Huskee 22 ton has a large following here. There have been some changes to it lately that may make it more attractive including the change to Kohler engine. There is also a DHT (dirty hand tools 22 ton splitter that has received lots of praise. BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT UP-SIZING IN TONNAGE ON THE SPLITTERS. tHE LARGER TONNAGE SPLITTERS USE LARGER DIAMETER HYDRAULIC RAMS - THIS LEADS TO SLOWER CYCLE TIME.

I have a 1999 huskee 25 ton and it handles everything I give to it including large oak rounds (40 inch diameter) that weigh up to 600+ pounds.

 

[vermonter16]

Wow - lots of suggestions and lots of good advice. I am going to start taking inventory of the splitters out there at TSC, Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, etc. and see if I can't start narrowing it down. Good to know about the trunion mount cylinder for the one at Sears. It's too bad because it looked like a pretty good model. But - then again, that's why I'm here.....since I know nothing about log splitters. I'll start doing a little more research and see if I can't start narrowing down some of the options.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

I don't know about that particular Sears model, but in general, in the Hydraulic world, Front Trunnion Mount Cylinders are often considered a superior design compared to rear clevis mounts. The overall unsupported length is only 1/2 as long and consequently there is less potential side load on the rod guide and piston. There is nothing wrong with a rear clevis mount if it is properly designed.

The two speed pump is a significant plus, if it is well executed. Gives faster ram movement when moving with no load.

The Auto Return can be problematic. It means you go full stroke every time even though you may only need 16" of travel. If it is fast enough, you may not care.

 

[lindnova]

I have the Huskee 22 ton with the Briggs & Stratton and am happy with it. I split a lot of elm and oak and it will go through all of it.

You already have a lot of good info here. I would recommend staying in the 22 tn range mainly because the splitters are lighter. I would love to have a 35 tn unit, but the main drawback for me, other than price, is that they are heavy. Unless your yard is flat and / or it will stay hitched to your truck or tractor, lighter is better. I push mine out of the shed and across the yard sometimes. It is tough enough to maneuver in the mud or snow. Wouldn't want to do that with a 35 tn.

 

[TreePointer]

I don't know about that particular Sears model, but in general, in the Hydraulic world, Front Trunnion Mount Cylinders are often considered a superior design compared to rear clevis mounts. The overall unsupported length is only 1/2 as long and consequently there is less potential side load on the rod guide and piston. There is nothing wrong with a rear clevis mount if it is properly designed.

The two speed pump is a significant plus, if it is well executed. Gives faster ram movement when moving with no load.

The Auto Return can be problematic. It means you go full stroke every time even though you may only need 16" of travel. If it is fast enough, you may not care.

The two stage pump works well on the modern splitters I've used. It will power through most rounds of my eastern hardwoods in its faster first stage, and its more powerful second stage will split just about anything else at the slower speed.

I think you are confusing auto return with auto cycle. The auto return splitters I've used require the operator to hold the handle in the forward position to keep the ram moving forward. Flipping the handle into the reverse position will return the ram back to the cylinder without keeping your hand on the control handle (the automatic return). If you wish to stop the ram from returning to the fully returned position, simply tap the handle.

 

[TreePointer]

Entry level splitter values: DHD 22-ton (11s cycle time) or Huskee 22-ton

That would be my starting point for researching splitters.