Wondering about noise level of wood splittters.

[syd3006]

Hi all, been a while since I've posted on here but have a question I'm sure a few of you could weigh in on. My father is going to be leaving his lifetime home after the passing of my mother in February and 45 plus years in the same house. Gathering and processing firewood has always been a pastime that we both enjoy although he has been unable to do much of it in the last few years due to his age. I'm thinking that it may be time for me to bite the bullet and buy a woodsplitter. My thinking is that I could have him out to the country where I live to visit (he will be moving to town) and when he comes we could spend time processing wood. I could cut rounds and roll them over and position them on the splitter and he could work the lever and split them. I think he would enjoy it and it would make him feel productive. My question is; is there a brand splitter that would have significant power (20 plus ton) yet run quite enough that we could converse without having to shout.
Thanks, Ted

 

[velvetfoot]

There are 20 ton electric splitters, if you can get to an outlet.

 

[TreePointer]

If you are running a gas powered splitter, both of you should be wearing ear protection, and you should be too busy anyway. Having a stimulating conversation is moot.

 

[gzecc]

The best part of splitting with a friend is you can't talk while its being done. Talk before and after.

 

[TreePointer]

The best part of splitting with a friend is you can't talk while its being done. Talk before and after.

Indeed! Look over that magnificent pile of wood you just processed and enjoy the beverage of your choice.

 

[Rock Crusher]

First, sorry about your mom, always a tough time. Second, some good insight posted above. Third, sounds like a great plan-there is a lot of gratification in working with dad! Some of the best things are seen and not said.

 

[Highbeam]

They are all using regular gas engines, like standing next to your lawn mower running. No talkie talkie. Ear muffs for me.

 

[TreePointer]

Conversations are also a safety issue. This is especially true for the operator of the splitter.

 

[smokedragon]

I think he would enjoy it and it would make him feel productive. My question is; is there a brand splitter that would have significant power (20 plus ton) yet run quite enough that we could converse without having to shout.
Thanks, Ted

I have a ramsplitter HV-16 electric. It is pretty powerful, and will go through most of what I have thrown at it. I had some 40" rounds of white oak that it just wouldn't do. I split them in half with wedges, and then it would bust them. Other than that, it has gone through everything. I think the 20 ton model would have done the white oak.



I like it because my 8 year old can work with me (running the controls) and still easily hear my instructions. MUCH more productive than doing it alone, and lots of fun for a boy who wants to be like dad. I let him position the smaller rounds that I split once down the middle while I run the controls and he loves it.

They make both a 16 and a 20 ton electric. Be careful that you use the properly sized drop cord or it will burn up your motor. I got mine used for a great price.

It is not for everyone, but I really like being able to hear and instruct my son while splitting.

 

[duramaxman05]

Our troy bilt 27ton splitter is one of the quieter splitter I have been around. It had a gc160 honda on it

 

[TreePointer]

I have a variety of Honda engines and I agree that they are quieter than most, but I don't operate them without hearing protection.

 

[Lakeside]

I went with the Supersplitter Electric.

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Running a splitter is a one man job , with some common sense a helper can be a great help . Good luck to you finding a tool for your needs.

 

[WiscWoody]

Everything is getting quieter nowadays and it just ain't right I tell ya!! it just ain't right Ha? what did you just say? Speak up and stop that mumbling all of the time would ya!! But in all seriousness, they are much quieter than they used to be but I still like to wear my ear plugs when at the splitter. It just seems to be more enjoyable that way, as if anyone can ever think that'd be possible with the job that you can't wait to get out and do anyways!

 

[WiscWoody]

I have a variety of Honda engines and I agree that they are quieter than most, but I don't operate them without hearing protection.

you know the old saying that say about he who dies with the most toys wins, well if you have a variety of Hondas and a Johne Deer or two to take care of things around the ranch I'd say you have indeed maybe won the prize there TreePointer! I envy for those well made man tools! I live down on the bottom of the hill and sometimes they throw me a bone so i can get Kohlers Commands, LTC.s and a B&S on the push mower that's one of those older 3 1/2 horse power things that they had back in the late 80's when I bought the MTD. Now if you don't have at least a good 6 HP om your mower dont even come out and show yourself for the risk of shame and stares from the neighbors!! Boy, the beer is going down good now that its cooler out... but its not like it has been, frozen on the top of the can which impedes on the smooth flowing Old Mil for those that have drank a few with the neighbors while blowing the driveways in ten below cold! The good old days! Lol

 

[TreePointer]

I will say that owning Honda engines doesn't have to be expensive. I picked up a used 9hp leaf blower (GX270) for less than half price at auction, bought a Honda lawnmower (GCV160) on sale at Home Depot, and was fortunate to inherit a power washer (GC190). That's three different Honda engines with two being consumer grade and one professional. They are my favorites in terms of ease of starting and lower noise. I do have two B&S engines that are louder, but never give me trouble starting. The one Tecumseh I have on a Lawnboy mower is my nemesis--ugh.

John Deere? I can't afford that, lol! Well, at least not a new one. I was happy on the old Ford tractor. The JD in the picture (and the farm that it's on for that matter) is owned by my mother, but I'm pretty much the only user. She likes green--yet another woman in my life with expensive tastes!

 

[hiker88]

HI OP - I think you are on to something. My dad is older now too. He and mom threw in the towel so to say and moved down South a few years ago. Sometimes when they come up in late summer\fall my dad will come out and split with me. My mom says that dad always sleeps better and feels better after getting outside with me and doing a little bit of that. It's true that it will be tough to converse with a combustion splitter, but there is always the before and after the work like people have said

 

[BurnIt13]

Quietest option as mentioned is to use an electric splitter. If you are not doing this right next to a house you can find some really quiet generators that can be placed a fair distance away from the splitter for the best of both worlds.

Quietest gas powered splitter would be a Honda with auto-idle. I have a Northern 37-ton with a Honda engine. It idles when the ram is retracted and goes to full speed once the piston starts to extend. I wear hearing protection but I could have a conversation with someone easily if I wanted to when its idling.

 

[festerw]

Never done it myself but supposedly an automotive style muffler will quiet small engines down a little. You'll still have engine noise itself and the noise from the hydraulics though. Only way I can see to do it quietly is to do a 'power unit' with the engine and pump in an enclosure with a couple disconnects for the hydraulic lines and locate the ram remotely. Solves the noise issue but then creates different issues.

 

[Kevin*]

You could get a set of full duplex noise cancelling headphone's, might cost as much as the splitter though...

 

[Jags]

The last splitter I built got a briggs 14.5hp OHV "quiet" motor strapped to it. Pretty impressive. At half throttle you can stand next to it and have a fairly normal conversation. (sorry for the blurry pic).

 

[mellow]

Never done it myself but supposedly an automotive style muffler will quiet small engines down a little.

I have seen this done on generators before, never seen it on a wood splitter, who wants to be the guinea pig?