New log splitter

[rbstern]

We ran out of firewood this winter, and spent a pretty penny on propane. Vowing to not have a repeat next winter, I decided to upgrade my firewood processing. Outgoing setup was a Homelite 5 ton electric, which we mostly used on household current, and had recently been running via a 4000 watt generator, both pieces of equipment on a 4x8 trailer. That worked well, but there are obvious limits. We have 16 to 20" rounds (oak and poplar) we just couldn't split.

This afternoon, bought the TSC County Line 25 ton splitter, along with the optional 4 way wedge and the log cradle. Would have preferred one in the crate, but our TSC always assembles them, so they can be displayed out in the rain. Towed it 12 miles to home, making sure to stay under 45 mph. I'm sure some of the folks commuting home at rush hour weren't thrilled following me.

Parked it next to the wood pile. Checked the fluid levels. Sure enough, the first start was tough because of rainwater in the system. Subsequent starts were one pull. Let it warm up and got to splitting. It's an excellent machine. Did a ton of research, and specifically picked this one because of the fast cycle time, and the ready availability / ease of use of the 4 way wedge. Powered through the most difficult logs we threw at it. In less than an hour from first start, the wife and I had about 3/4 of a cord split and stacked, and that was without yet even trying to optimize our motions.

Machine was well assembled. No leaks, no loose nuts, and fluids at correct levels. Kudos to TSC (and YTL, who builds these).

Speaking of YTL: TrueValue carries similar models at lower prices. I could driven 30 miles to the closest TrueValue and gotten a 30 ton YTL-built machine, almost identical to the County Line (same frame, beam, valve, etc.), for a couple of hundred dollars less. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Studying the specs, the 30 ton had a lesser pump, a lower quality motor, and a 25% higher cycle time. The County Line has good reviews on an epic scale, a great warranty, and I like the people at the local TSC, so that's why I choose that machine.

 

[Bearsixty7]

Just looked at one at our local TSC a few weeks ago. Don't really have the NEED for one currently but it was there, Manager was trying to make me a deal!
I probably should have bought it .

 

[oosik]

I can't imagine trying to split oak with an electric splitter. I had a 30 ton Didier when we "made" firewood. It had a single vertical wedge. Many was the time when my old gnarly pine would bring the splitter to an almost dead stop. It was the old ancient Ponderosa pine with the entrapped limbs and the forks in the trunk that made the splitting difficult. After the first year I quit splitting the 30" and bigger pines. Just too much work. I concentrated on the 16" to 20" stuff. A whole lot easier to man handle the smaller rounds.

That was all 40 years ago. I wouldn't want to do that now a days. Thank goodness for electric heat.

 

[dougtrr2]

When I bought my log splitter from TSC years ago there wasn't enough hydraulic fluid in it to extend the cylinder. Had to go back and buy enough to fill the tank. Best thing I did, was to have a custom cover made.

Doug in SW IA

 

[shooterdon]

Smart man. Cycle time beats tonnage.

 

[bunyip]

My main concern was the engine when we bought a 30 t splitter, opted for the honda upgrade knowing it will always start.

 

[ovrszd]

My main concern was the engine when we bought a 30 t splitter, opted for the honda upgrade knowing it will always start.

Isn't that the truth. Honda engines are the easiest starting, most durable little engines made. My splitter has a Vtwin electric start Honda engine. Always starts right up. I never drain the fuel.

 

[rbstern]

Big fan of Honda engines. They make great stuff.

 

[Oaktree]

Isn't that the truth. Honda engines are the easiest starting, most durable little engines made. My splitter has a Vtwin electric start Honda engine. Always starts right up. I never drain the fuel.

Meh. Of all the power equipment I have with small engines, the one with the Honda is the hardest starting one of the bunch.

I can't imagine trying to split oak with an electric splitter. I had a 30 ton Didier when we "made" firewood. It had a single vertical wedge. Many was the time when my old gnarly pine would bring the splitter to an almost dead stop. It was the old ancient Ponderosa pine with the entrapped limbs and the forks in the trunk that made the splitting difficult. After the first year I quit splitting the 30" and bigger pines. Just too much work. I concentrated on the 16" to 20" stuff. A whole lot easier to man handle the smaller rounds.

That was all 40 years ago. I wouldn't want to do that now a days. Thank goodness for electric heat.

I've heated with wood for going on 45 years now, didn't get a splitter until ~10 years ago, picked up a 25 ton (not sure what brand) on CL and now wonder what took me so long. Just the vertical wedge, but it sure makes quick work of it. As you noted, it'll bog down a bit on some really knotty pieces but there's almost nothing it won't split.

 

[MoKelly]

Big fan of Honda engines. They make great stuff.

I agree 1000%. Curious - why is their stuff so good? Better carbs?

MoKelly

 

[s219]

TSC splitters are some of the best on the market right now. A step above the stuff Lowes/HD sells (which tend to be Troy-Bilt clones).

We ran out of firewood about 5 years ago, so I went crazy and stocked up. Then we had several mild winters in a row. This year was sort of normal except no real severe cold snaps.

Next year I will finally be getting into the major stash. By then it will have been seasoned 3 years!

 

[fruitcakesa]

Still heating with wood after 40+years and hand split my firewood up till about 10 years ago.
I enjoyed the quiet work and the exercise but my body finally told me otherwise so I bought a 16 ton electric Ramsplitter w/ 4way wedge run on 220 volts. Not silent but also not loud and no fumes. A win win win right?
Yes and no. It will split all but the most twisted, knotty logs but over the 10 years, I basically had to have all the structural members rebuilt properly after the splitter knocked itself apart.
The splitter wedge carriage is poorly designed and traps slices of wood between the wedge and the beam and actually has bent the 1/2" thick steel wedge base, stretched and then broken the bolts that hold the wedge carriage guides.
No regrets about buying it as the power and the quiet running is why I chose it.
Pic is a factory photo, apparently they have discontinued that model; I wonder why

 

[3Ts]

I've been looking at log splitters, but haven't decided what to do yet so I stopped in at Northern Tools today and looked at their log splitters. They had a really massive one rated at 37 tons. 8 bolts on each side of the slide. Heavy duty beam, large diameter cylinder. I looked more closely and am now confused, so help me out here and tell me what I'm missing:

The cylinder is 4.5" diameter, so 15.9 sq in of surface. Couldn't find the spec for the pressure, but the high pressure hose was rated for 4000 psi, meaning the actual pressure is probably a little less, but I'll use 4000.

Thus 15.9 times 4000 = 63,600# = 31.8 tons.

Where are they getting the 37 tons (74,000#)? The pressure would have to be 74,000/15.9=4654 psi. That's an over pressure of the hose by 15%. What am I missing?

 

[rbstern]

I agree 1000%. Curious - why is their stuff so good? Better carbs?

MoKelly

Originally, design. But those designs have been copied. Now, I'd say it's experience and quality control.

It's one thing to have good designs. It's another to be able to produce them consistently, year in, year out, so that the end user gets the intended benefit and the brean reputation is preserved.

 

[ovrszd]

I've been looking at log splitters, but haven't decided what to do yet so I stopped in at Northern Tools today and looked at their log splitters. They had a really massive one rated at 37 tons. 8 bolts on each side of the slide. Heavy duty beam, large diameter cylinder. I looked more closely and am now confused, so help me out here and tell me what I'm missing:

The cylinder is 4.5" diameter, so 15.9 sq in of surface. Couldn't find the spec for the pressure, but the high pressure hose was rated for 4000 psi, meaning the actual pressure is probably a little less, but I'll use 4000.

Thus 15.9 times 4000 = 63,600# = 31.8 tons.

Where are they getting the 37 tons (74,000#)? The pressure would have to be 74,000/15.9=4654 psi. That's an over pressure of the hose by 15%. What am I missing?

Yeah, that sounds a bit over rated. I have a Northern Tool splitter trailer mounted. It uses a 6" cylinder. NT calls it 42T. Using your equation, 3.14 x 9 x 4000 = 113,400 = 56.52T. If I lower the pressure to a more realistic figure, 3.14 x 9 x 3000 = 84,780 = 42.39T.

 

[ovrszd]

Originally, design. But those designs have been copied. Now, I'd say it's experience and quality control.

It's one thing to have good designs. It's another to be able to produce them consistently, year in, year out, so that the end user gets the intended benefit and the brean reputation is preserved.

I agree. I think oaktree got a fluke.

 

[KennyG]

Everyone says Honda small engines are great, but I only have one and it's a lemon. It's on a push mower that doesn't get a lot of use. After a few years, I had to replace the carb to get it to run smooth. Now it leaks oil but not quite bad enough to tear it apart. On the other hand, the 10 year old Briggs on my Cyclone Rake and the 25 year old Tecumseh on my snowblower are in great shape and always start on the first pull.

 

[ovrszd]

Everyone says Honda small engines are great, but I only have one and it's a lemon. It's on a push mower that doesn't get a lot of use. After a few years, I had to replace the carb to get it to run smooth. Now it leaks oil but not quite bad enough to tear it apart. On the other hand, the 10 year old Briggs on my Cyclone Rake and the 25 year old Tecumseh on my snowblower are in great shape and always start on the first pull.

Another Honda lemon. I'm pretty sure these are the only two I've heard of.

 

[MoKelly]

Everyone says Honda small engines are great, but I only have one and it's a lemon. It's on a push mower that doesn't get a lot of use. After a few years, I had to replace the carb to get it to run smooth. Now it leaks oil but not quite bad enough to tear it apart. On the other hand, the 10 year old Briggs on my Cyclone Rake and the 25 year old Tecumseh on my snowblower are in great shape and always start on the first pull.

I am exactly the opposite. I have a 18 year old pressure washer, 13 year old push mower and 26 year old edger all with Honda engines. Still start and the engine works perfectly.

Perhaps newer Honda’s aren’t as good but mine are golden.

MoKelly

 

[BoylermanCT]

Take a look at the Harbor Freight 2 way splitter. I have the Northern Tool version which is no longer sold. The cylinder is below the work area, so it splits both ways, no retract stroke needed. I had a dual direction 4 way head made for mine which really increases productivity. Mine is a Powerhorse engine and always starts on first or second pull, even after sitting for months. I’ve heard good things about HF’s Predator engines.