New Splitter

[ManiacPD]

After using my inherited, 30+ year-old Didier splitter for a few years I recently bought a new Timberwolf TW-P1. The Didier was still functional but processing 9-10 cords yearly was asking a lot of it and when I want to split I don't want to spend an hour messing around with an old, tired engine and leaky hydraulic tank. Rather than keep putting money into an old machine I went to Pen-Bay Tractor in Burnham, Maine and bought the TW.

I am simply amazed at how well these machines are built and work. Between the table grate and slip on 4-way wedge I can split at least twice as fast as before, if not faster.

If you are in the market for a new splitter I would highly recommend a Timberwolf. They cost more but are built like a tank and worth every penny IMO.

 

[Ductape]

Congrats. Definitely money well spent.

 

[Joey]

I agree,,I borrowed my tree guys timberwolf splitter last year and was amazed at the quality of the machine. It had a Honda commercial motor,,,the cycle time was fantastic. If I did more than 5 or 6 cords a year,,,it would be a must have for me. Seems like they are built for many many years of service.

 

[Iembalm4aLiving]

Good for you! Nothing like a new splitter!

 

[MasterMech]

Love the TimberWolf units myself! They are the creme de la creme for splitters.

 

[djblech]

I have been looking at the Timberwolf splitters to replace my 25 ton mtd. I was also looking at the Wallenstein which I thought were cheaper. Can I ask how much for the Timberwolf?
Doug

 

[Joey]

Approx $2300 for the TW-P1 Timberwolf,,comes with a 5.5 hp commercial Honda motor, 13 second cycle time and a 11gpm pump. Thats the cost for the basic machine,,cradle, 4 way wedge and other items are extra. Great product, they do have a website if ya need more info.

 

[MasterMech]

I have been looking at the Timberwolf splitters to replace my 25 ton mtd. I was also looking at the Wallenstein which I thought were cheaper. Can I ask how much for the Timberwolf?
Doug

Doug,

Check these out. Timberwolf is A+ but you can save several hundred with Iron & Oak. Do a little searching and there are plenty of us here that love our I&O splitters!

http://www.buyacehardware.com/22-ton-log-splitter-robin.html - Comparable to the specs of the TW-P1 but it also goes vertical.

http://www.buyacehardware.com/26-ton-log-splitter-robin.html - More machine with a 16gpm pump, 9 HP engine and vertical capability.

Iron & Oak does horizontal only machines too. Here's their site.

http://www.ironandoak.com/itemlist.php?mode=category&categoryid=103

Nice thing about I&O is you can pretty much pick your poison as far as engines too. Anything from a basic Briggs to a Honda GX series is available. Most here have the Subaru/Robin and love it, some have the Honda and love it too.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/77036/ - Great, recent thread on the I & O.

 

[djblech]

I am looking at a horizontal only splitter and the Iron and Oak looks like 1 to consider. I really like the idea of a 4-way stationary splitter with the catch grate on the outbound side. If the price is low enough I could fabricate the grate myself. The Timberwolf already has this option. This would cut my splitting time in half, once through the machine and done. I was looking for at least a 25 ton machine though. The good news is my wood for this year is done and I am already working on next year. I have a little time to research.
Doug

 

[Kenster]

I am looking at a horizontal only splitter and the Iron and Oak looks like 1 to consider. I really like the idea of a 4-way stationary splitter with the catch grate on the outbound side. If the price is low enough I could fabricate the grate myself. The Timberwolf already has this option. This would cut my splitting time in half, once through the machine and done. I was looking for at least a 25 ton machine though. The good news is my wood for this year is done and I am already working on next year. I have a little time to research.
Doug

I can understand that some guys prefer to split horizontally but would you buy a splitter that does not give you the option of going vertical even you would only rarely use it? Do you save a ton of money with a horizontal only machine? Does being able to pivot it to vertical make it an inherently weaker machine? What if you have a big honkin' 300 pound round someday that you just can't lift up onto the beam?

To me, it just limits you a great deal. Kinda like buying a car that can never go over 70 mph. Makes sense, doesn't it? After all, the max speed limit is 70 mph. You'll probably never need those extra horses to get you out of trouble.

I was about to suggest that a splitter that goes both ways would have a much higher resale value but I seriously doubt any of us buy a splitter with the idea of trading it in at any time in the future.

I'm just curious what the thinking is behind this. And wondering why a company would even build a heavy hitting splitter that can't go both ways.

 

[MasterMech]

I am looking at a horizontal only splitter and the Iron and Oak looks like 1 to consider. I really like the idea of a 4-way stationary splitter with the catch grate on the outbound side. If the price is low enough I could fabricate the grate myself. The Timberwolf already has this option. This would cut my splitting time in half, once through the machine and done. I was looking for at least a 25 ton machine though. The good news is my wood for this year is done and I am already working on next year. I have a little time to research.
Doug

I can understand that some guys prefer to split horizontally but would you buy a splitter that does not give you the option of going vertical even you would only rarely use it? Do you save a ton of money with a horizontal only machine? Does being able to pivot it to vertical make it an inherently weaker machine? What if you have a big honkin' 300 pound round someday that you just can't lift up onto the beam?

To me, it just limits you a great deal. Kinda like buying a car that can never go over 70 mph. Makes sense, doesn't it? After all, the max speed limit is 70 mph. You'll probably never need those extra horses to get you out of trouble.

I was about to suggest that a splitter that goes both ways would have a much higher resale value but I seriously doubt any of us buy a splitter with the idea of trading it in at any time in the future.

I'm just curious what the thinking is behind this. And wondering why a company would even build a heavy hitting splitter that can't go both ways.

Most of the time a horz. only unit isn't that much cheaper than a vertical unit. They do have their advantages tho.

1.) Horz only machines usually have the wedge welded to the beam and push the log through the wedge. There's no kicking splits out of the way or tossing them into a pile. I used to split a small pile around the splitter, move the splitter a bit (usually closer to the rounds) and split again.

2.) Having the wedge on the beam allows the use of a large table on the end of the unit that will catch the splits. Over time, the splits get pushed off the end of the table into a loader bucket/wheelbarrow or whatever you please. I know of one unit that allows the hitch to be removed to park a loader bucket directly under the unit. It's out of my price range....

http://www.ironandoak.com/itemdetai...tegory&categoryid=2&parentid=103&searchtext;=

3.) Log Lifts! With a vertical unit you still have man-handle your 300lb behemoths under the wedge, and hold it against the beam while you operate the splitter. That's a slow process if you don't have help. Log lifts you just roll the monster on and let the hydraulics do the rest. You will get spoiled fast!

4.) 4/6/8 way wedges. From slip-ons to hydraulically adjusted there are several styles of 4 way wedges. Vertical units are pretty limited but can utilize a 4-way with bolt-on "wings" attached to the main wedge. See Link, I think 4 ways are overrated for homeowner firewood production but that is just my opinion. I personally do not care for a 4-way wedge that cannot be hydraulically height-adjusted or at least easily removed.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326298_200326298

Most of the "heavy-hitters" are indeed horz. only units but have hydraulics to get the big 'uns up on the beam and tables/cradles to keep 'em there. As for why anyone would pick a smaller, bare-bones, horz. machine over a horz./vertical? Beats me. :smirk:

 

[SolarAndWood]

I personally do not care for a 4-way wedge that cannot be hydraulically height-adjusted or at least easily removed.

These guys have that game nailed. Having the option of raising the 4 way on any given split while staying completely out of the way the rest of the time would be sweet. Would be perfect for all the scrounged wood I get at home. 8 or maybe even 10-way would be perfect for all the straight logs I process at the camp.

(broken link removed)

What is 10 grand amortized over 40 years?

 

[ManiacPD]

What is 10 grand amortized over 40 years?

When I bought mine I looked at the Timberwolf TW-5 with the hydraulic 4-way wedge. If I was processing more wood than I do I likely would have bought one. As one guy said so well on here, "I spent $15,000 on my heating system and $10,000 on equipment so I can heat my house for free!"

 

[SolarAndWood]

"I spent $15,000 on my heating system and $10,000 on equipment so I can heat my house for free!"

I could blow through $25K replacing the stove in the middle of the house with a boiler, the 30 year old Ford tractor , the 20 year old home built splitter and 15 year old dump trailer just with down payments :lol: Makes even propane look cheap.

 

[MasterMech]

I personally do not care for a 4-way wedge that cannot be hydraulically height-adjusted or at least easily removed.

These guys have that game nailed. Having the option of raising the 4 way on any given split while staying completely out of the way the rest of the time would be sweet. Would be perfect for all the scrounged wood I get at home. 8 or maybe even 10-way would be perfect for all the straight logs I process at the camp.

(broken link removed)

What is 10 grand amortized over 40 years?

I'm diggin' 'em! Especially the Lq. Cooled engine and 6 Way option. :wow:

That I & O I linked to has the hydraulic wedge and is only $6K. ;-) Only. :-/