Consumer log splitters, towable on roads??

[adegiulio]

OK, laugh at me if you must, but I have what some may consider a stupid question, but here it goes. Are the log splitters you see in Home Depot or Tractor Supply towable on regular roads at regular speeds? Obviously they have a hitch and wheels, but can they handle road speeds or are they just good for moving around on grass or around the property?

As you may tell, I am not very trailer savvy. I have a truck with a two inch receiver but I have never used it. I assume I just buy a hitch and connect everything up. Sometimes I wish my father spent more time with me on stuff like this!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[shvl73]

Most do not have wheels rated for high speed travel. Check the liturature where you buy it.

 

[bczoom]

The one I'm looking at to replace my older splitter says on the brochure "Road-speed tires for highway towing". It's a New Holland but I believe it's the same as what you're looking at.

Personally, I'd always load it up. Being relatively small, you probably won't be able to see it behind your truck. The way the weight is distributed on the splitter, it may not want to tow straight and pot-holes can send it flying all over the place.

I haven't seen anyone tow these more than short distances down the road and it was at low speeds (normally done with an ATV or tractor instead of a road vehicle).

You mentioned towing it behind your truck. Can you throw it in the bed instead?

 

[eee]

Cub Cadet wood splitters come with running lights,brake lights and blinkers and you can plug them into your trailer brake outlet on your vehicle. I tow mine down the highway 55 MPH,no problem.

 

[bczoom]

roughcut,

That sounds like a nice splitter. Is it of the same size/quality/price of the ones we're referring to? (approx. a 20-30 ton unit, weighs about 600-700#)?

 

[Logan]

The one that I have has the small 8" wheels and NO SPRINGS and althought it is supposed to DOT certified, I wouldn't pull it at highway speed unless it was a short distance and I knew the road well. I know that many boat trailers around here have gone many miles at highway speed with such tires and wheels, but they all have springs and are relatively light. They also have solid axles. Most, if not all of the log splitters that I have seen, incorporate axle ends into a sheet metal subframe for support, and in some cases it is part of the hydraulic tank. I think a good pot hole could really test your luck.

 

[eee]

It is a 9 hp 33 ton.......

 

[rozett]

I own a Yard Machines (MTD) splitter that is similar to the models sold at Home Depot. Mine is the 26-ton, 6.5 HP model. The owners manual says not to tow faster than 45 MPH. I bought mine (slightly used) thru EBay and had to drive from Maine to Poughkeepsie, NY (300 miles) to pick it up. I returned home towing it at 65-70 MPH without any problems. We stopped to eat about halfway home and I checked the hubs for heat and found only minor heating. So I would not hesitate to tow it again.

 

[Dargo]

I have the same MTD splitter from Home Depot and have towed it at 70mph out the highway. Ya know, I can't even feel it behind my 1 ton 4X4 dually! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It's probably not rated for that speed, but my truck seems to pull it fine.

 

[eee]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( <font color="blue"> but my truck seems to pull it fine </font> )</font>

That truck should drag it upside down at that speed with no problem. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If I am not mistaken,I think the Cub Cadet splitter has a 2 year warranty.

 

[bczoom]

Sounds to me like towing is a personal preference. Yes, most are towable but personally, I can see something like what roughcut is mentioning.

If I can change the subject slightly (don't really need to start a new thread and a lot of you here have splitters I'm looking at). Just need a quick opinion.
I've been out checking out new splitters lately. I understand that the new splitters that split vertically have to have the splitting occur in the rear but personally, I find that area confining. With the tires/fenders... it seems there's not a lot of room to work when splitting horizontally. How much of an issue is everyone finding it? Are you constantly banging your shins or otherwise?

My current splitter is horizontal only and splits at the front. I have a clear working area for 3-4' and can work from either side.

 

[rozett]

This is the latest version of the splitter that I have. *photo* It will split either horizontal or vertical. I have never used it in the vertical position. If I had a very large diameter log, I could see where it would be useful vs trying to lift it. But all the stuff that size went to the mill. Although sometimes the wheel and fender feel like they are in my way, I often use the fender to hold half a chunk of wood while I resplit the other half. I have split over 50 cord of firewood since July using this splitter. You just get used to the fender being there.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I have that same splitter and I think it's great! It is more of a pain (for me) to split vertically than horizontally, but that's just my preference. I usually tow it over to my brother-in-law's on the back of my Cub at 14.4 MPH and it tows fine! Seriously, I am sure that they are designed to be towed at highway speeds. The tires are the same as on a small camper or snowmobile trailer. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Soundguy]

Check the bearings and tire specs.

Soundguy

 

[paparammer]

I have a horizontal/vertical splitter from Northern Tools and have only used it vertically a few times when I had something that no way were two people lifting. I don't find I even notice the wheels when splitting (no fenders though). However, that wasn't the prime reason I bought that model. Since the dual position models have to pivot, it sets the beam higher than a horizontal only splitter. This means you are bending over at less of an angle most of the time. Of course you do have to lift the log higher but that's just one continuous motion. The beniding over is what gets my back.

On another different note - something I've always wondered but never bothered to check out. Are log splitters required to have a license similar to boat trailers? What are the legalities?

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Since the dual position models have to pivot, it sets the beam higher than a horizontal only splitter. This means you are bending over at less of an angle most of the time. Of course you do have to lift the log higher but that's just one continuous motion. The beniding over is what gets my back.

On another different note - something I've always wondered but never bothered to check out. Are log splitters required to have a license similar to boat trailers? What are the legalities? )</font>

The higher beam is my primary reason for getting a new splitter. My current splitter is only about a foot off the ground and my back gets sore a lot faster as my age goes up. It's too cumbersome to hoist mine up because I'm moving it often.

Log splitters, small (tow behind) concrete or mortar mixers... don't need a license that I know of. They're not intended for on-road use. Primary rule I'm aware of is the fact the lights on the towing vehicle have to be visible.

 

[Dargo]

rozett, My splitter looks almost identical except it has a 6.5 Briggs and says it's a 26 ton splitter. I've never used it horizontally. The logs I've been splitting are more than I care to lift, so the vertical split works great for me. I just sort of roll 'em in place. By the way, it's nice that those fenders are soft plastic...I would have crushed them several times over by now! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[rozett]

We have exactly the same splitter. Mine is the 6.5 Briggs and 26 ton. I think MTD changed engines and that reduced the HP and hydraulic pressure.

 

[JerryK]

I split almost entirely vertically. Mostly have big blocks of wood that are too heavy to lift up. Roll or throw a pile of wood over near the splitter, set you a block of wood down to sit on, and have at it. Then get up and clean the area and start over. Most people I know cart their splitters on a trailer, and only pull them around on their property. Don't have a spare, and don't like little tired trailers. Tires and bearings don't hold up at that high of a RPM.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( By the way, it's nice that those fenders are soft plastic...I would have crushed them several times over by now! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )</font>

The one I'm probably going to get has metal fenders. Sounds like I better take them off. Save my legs also.