A good quality Log Splitter

[shooterdon]

Moderators, it this is should be posted in a different forum please move.

Any recommendations for a splitter that has these features:

- detent on valve and/or auto retract so I do not have to hold the lever constantly
- push through design (stationary wedge)
- 20T capacity
- 10 second or less cycle time
- out feed table

Budget is $2000. I split about 5 cords of wood a year. Mostly oak, maple, ash and birch. Want something that will last 15 years (75 cords)

I have looked at a lot of hydraulic units and found a couple that work but some are nearly $4000. DR has their RapidFire kinetic splitter on sale for $1800. Does anyone have experience with them?

RapidFire Log Splitter (Outsplits 28 Ton Wood Splitters) | DR Power Equipment

Thanks,

 

[PEJ5]

I am not sure if these are available in the USA but the Split-Fire is a great unit. With a double edged blade, it splits in both directions making it very fast. I split larger logs in half, join the pieces, turn them 90 degrees and split them into quarters on the reverse pass. They sell a quarter add-on as well.
It does not have a detent, but I view that as a risky idea. Here is the 20Ton unit.

343 2 Ton 2-Way 3-Point Hitch Wood Splitters - Split-Fire

 

[EddieWalker]

Mine doesn't have all those features, but the most important thing for a log splitter wasn't listed. That's a Honda engine. Troy Bilt log splitters sold at Lowes have the Honda engine, and it's worth every penny.

 

[tjkubota93]

I have this oregon 22 ton with a Honda engine. No complaints. To my surprise, I could not find a picture of mine on my phone. I just attached a Google images picture.

 

[yomax4]

Ditto on the Honda. I split 15 cords yr. She starts 1 pull even in -15. Everyone is different but I like the ram pushing to the wedge so the splits end up on my table out front. The best addition I did was a log lift. Load up 2-3 rounds, pull the lever and up they come. Simple to build and install. Good Luck !!

 

[atsah]

I have a 22 ton Brave with a Honda and like it very much.. Most any of the new ones have auto retract, 12-14 second cycle time is pretty normal. Never used a kinetic log splitter.

 

[airbiscuit]

Last year my friend bought a Champion 25 ton log splitter @ $800. He has worked the snot out of it (probably 75 firewood cords already). Operates horizontally or vertically, and starts on the first pull. Hasn't found anything he couldn't split. 11 second cycle time.

 

[tjkubota93]

Ditto on the Honda. I split 15 cords yr. She starts 1 pull even in -15. Everyone is different but I like the ram pushing to the wedge so the splits end up on my table out front. The best addition I did was a log lift. Load up 2-3 rounds, pull the lever and up they come. Simple to build and install. Good Luck !!

Got a picture? I have been considering making one. I'm better at copying than inventing.

 

[4570Man]

I can recommend not buying a rugged made splitter. For more details you can see a thread I started a while back. And you can put a both way detent valve on a splitter for about $100.

 

[4570Man]

Got a picture? I have been considering making one. I'm better at copying than inventing.

They’re a pretty simple device that saves a lot of work. My advice would be to mount it far enough forward that you can stand between it and the wheel. Because unlike this guy you want to work on the same side as the lift. Having to walk around the splitter every time to load another round would be ridiculous. And unlike a lot of homemade ones I suggest making it with a solid back. You’re going to mash your fingers sliding around pieces otherwise. Build it like the first or third picture not the second.

 

[Budweiser John]

I am not sure if these are available in the USA but the Split-Fire is a great unit. With a double edged blade, it splits in both directions making it very fast. I split larger logs in half, join the pieces, turn them 90 degrees and split them into quarters on the reverse pass. They sell a quarter add-on as well.
It does not have a detent, but I view that as a risky idea. Here is the 20Ton unit.

343 2 Ton 2-Way 3-Point Hitch Wood Splitters - Split-Fire

You won’t go wrong with a Split Fire log splitter. I’ve owned mine for about ten years so I don’t know if they fit into your budget
But I can tell you they’re a beast of a machine.
I bought mine from a local dealer in Michigan.

B. John

 

[duramaxsky]

Last year my friend bought a Champion 25 ton log splitter @ $800. He has worked the snot out of it (probably 75 firewood cords already). Operates horizontally or vertically, and starts on the first pull. Hasn't found anything he couldn't split. 11 second cycle time.

That's the one I have as well. It works fine.

 

[shooterdon]

I have no interest in a 3PH mounted splitter as it ties up my tractor that is used to move logs to the cutting table and to move IBC totes of wood from the splitting area. Working next to a tractor at near full throttle for a few hours does not seem pleasant either.

In addition, my planned set up is to take splits from the outfeed table of the splitter and stack them into totes. A push though splitter seems a better option than a splitter where the wedge moves with the ram.

Here is a picture of how my wood will be stored:



I was hoping someone had direct experience with the kinetic splitters from DR as they seem to be a good fit for my needs.

 

[atsah]

A push though splitter seems a better option than a splitter where the wedge moves with the ram.

I agree, have used both and I like the push through best with a table..

 

[oosik]

I had a Didier - 25 ton splitter. Worked great for the ten years I burned wood. My particular problem. My "firewood trees" were all ancient Ponderosa pines. The butt diameter would be as big as 38". Made rolling the rounds up onto the splitter a real PITA.

Then I had a brain fart. I have a tractor and bucket on the FEL. Dig a shallow trench - roll the splitter into the trench. Now the splitter is level with the ground and much easier to roll up and split.

 

[atsah]

I had a Didier - 25 ton splitter. Worked great for the ten years I burned wood. My particular problem. My "firewood trees" were all ancient Ponderosa pines. The butt diameter would be as big as 38". Made rolling the rounds up onto the splitter a real PITA.

Then I had a brain fart. I have a tractor and bucket on the FEL. Dig a shallow trench - roll the splitter into the trench. Now the splitter is level with the ground and much easier to roll up and split.

That would be an interesting picture, how did you operate the splitter down in a hole?

 

[oosik]

I must not have explained it properly. The trench was bucket width - 8" to 10" deep - probably ten feet long. I would just roll the round across the ground and right onto the rail of the splitter. This was a horizontal splitter. It was not a PTO splitter.

 

[dalola]

I was about to extol on the virtues of my Ariens 27T, but it appears Ariens is now out of the log splitter business. What a shame, it's a fantastic machine. Might be able to locate a used one?

Highly recommend, if you can find one.

 

[atsah]

I was about to extol on the virtues of my Ariens 27T, but it appears Ariens is now out of the log splitter business. What a shame, it's a fantastic machine. Might be able to locate a used one?

Highly recommend, if you can find one.

Subaru engine?

 

[dalola]

Subaru engine?

Yes, my first experience with a small Subie....made a believer out of me, fantastic small engine.