Electric wood splitter - anyone using one?

[JRobyn]

I surprised myself that I didn't check for opinions on here first, but we just ordered a new 22 ton electric wood splitter. Wife does the splitting, but she HATES any engine that doesn't start easily, and I am sick and tired of having to tear down the ethanol-fouled carburetors in all the small engines every season. We usually only burn stuff that's a max of about 14" or 16" dia., so I figured a modest-sized electric would be a good idea. I really thought I'd opt for a 5-8 ton with a 1-2HP motor. Until I saw the Swisher L22E. It appears to be built on the same frame as their 22T gas-powered, but has a 2HP motor and 2-stage hydraulic pump. Supposedly cycles in 13 seconds.

If we really NEED a gas-powered one off in some remote corner of the property, each of her brothers that live within a mile or two have one. Of course, they usually won't start when needed.

I'll let y'all know how it does in real life when it shows up next week.

- Jay

 

[4570Man]

A had a homemade electric wood splitter, and didn't like it. I put a Honda gas motor on it and haven't regretted it.

 

[LD1]

Nothing wrong with electric. We have one that was converted. It's nice to spit in the warn shop while having a fire going without dying of CO gasses.

I don't like the little electric ones. But ones actually built like a full framed and have an electric motor sized accordingly....really nice. Electric is cheaper than gas, less maintenance, quieter, and easier to start. Only downside is being tethered to aa cord. Which is fine with me because I don't like dragging the splitter along to the woods. I haul the wood home to split.

4570man: what didn't you like about yours?

 

[4570Man]

4570man: what didn't you like about yours?

The biggest problem was I didn't have a tractor at the time which made it extremely difficult to bring the wood to the splitter. The second problem was it was 220 volt operation. I need to split my grandpas wood, and I split my wood at an abandoned warehouse owned by my uncle. I don't have 220 volt power at either place.

 

[LD1]

The one we converted is 240v 3ph running off a vfd. Yea, not having power would be a problem.

But another perk, especially with a 3ph running off a vfd, no one asks to borrow it.

 

[JRobyn]

I saw several of the larger electrics advertised with 240vac motors. So I was pleasantly surprised that the Swisher is advertised as 22T and 13sec cycle time despite that it comes wired for just 120vac. It does require a 20a circuit. I COULD have wired up a 240 outlet back by the wood shed, but then my F-I-L across the field wouldn't have been able to use it at his place. I do recognize that it would be more efficient if I rewire it (which is possible) for 240, but we'll see how it does wired for 120.

- Jay

 

[LD1]

Got any links to that splitter. I couldn't find any info. Numbers aren't adding up.

22t rating tells me.its a 4" diameter cylinder. And 13 sec cycle tells me 11gpm 2-stage pump. Pretty common setup there.

Only issue is it requires 5hp for that pump. Not something a 120v 2hp motor can spin.

Maybe they are banking on the fact that it's not 100% duty cycle, and electric motors can make alot more HP than rated, just not continuously without toasting themselves. Most splitting requires less pressure (and this less power) than the max rating of the system. But if it really is an 11gpm pump with that 2 HP motor, I'd be afraid to split a load of something difficult like white elm.

 

[4570Man]

My electric splitter could match that rating, but I had a 3 hp motor on it.

 

[LD1]

My electric splitter could match that rating, but I had a 3 hp motor on it.

Not without either:
1: smaller cylinder
2: less pressure/tonnage
3: working the motor beyond 100% on thought stuff

 

[bcp]

Link:

LS22E Timber Brute Eco Split - 22 Ton 120 Volt Electric Full Frame Log Splitter - Swisher

Bruce

Got any links to that splitter. I couldn't find any info. Numbers aren't adding up.

22t rating tells me.its a 4" diameter cylinder. And 13 sec cycle tells me 11gpm 2-stage pump. Pretty common setup there.

Only issue is it requires 5hp for that pump. Not something a 120v 2hp motor can spin.

Maybe they are banking on the fact that it's not 100% duty cycle, and electric motors can make alot more HP than rated, just not continuously without toasting themselves. Most splitting requires less pressure (and this less power) than the max rating of the system. But if it really is an 11gpm pump with that 2 HP motor, I'd be afraid to split a load of something difficult like white elm.

 

[LD1]

Interesting. Lacking lots of specs. No pump info, cylinder size, pressures, etc. And only 2.5 gallon capacity.

May work for many years for the OP. But given what I can only assume to be a 11gpm pump, with 2.5 gallons of oil and 2hp motor....I don't like the design, especially for splitting more than just a little bit of wood at a time

 

[Garandman]

DR Power makes several electric kinetic [flywheel] splitters.
RapidFire Flywheel Log Splitter Premier | DR Power Equipment

So does SuperSplit: 1hp 110V which you can apparently order from the world's worst website.

 

[Rustyiron]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ueeOzvWqG9k
I found this also. Might just be worth the cost of a heavy extension cord for my set up.

 

[check]

I bought a 4 ton electric splitter a long time ago and it works fine and it split all my wood for years.

It is so nice to split wood inside the house for kindling in the like, And it has wheels in the stand so that I can wheel it outside when I want to.

 

[Garandman]

I found this also. Might just be worth the cost of a heavy extension cord for my set up.

Amazing how quiet it is. I think an electric motor is a good fit for a kinetic splitter.

 

[Garandman]

Harbor freight makes a "5 ton" electric, looks like a screw drive?

 

[4570Man]

Not without either: 1: smaller cylinder 2: less pressure/tonnage 3: working the motor beyond 100% on thought stuff

You failed to account for the rated rpm for each motor. All 5 hp motors are not equal. The 5 hp gas was very likely rated higher than 3600 rpm.

 

[bcp]

Harbor freight makes a "5 ton" electric, looks like a screw drive?

Hydraulic. I have about the same thing from HD. Splits fir fine, but slower than anything except manual. You have to hold the motor switch (momentary push button) with one hand and the hydraulic valve (spring loaded) with another, so you can't do something else while it splits. Thinking about some of the foot control conversions.

I went from a splitting maul, to a HF hydraulic jack type splitter, to the 5 ton electric. Faster work with each upgrade. I only split and burn about a cord a year.

Bruce

 

[txdon]

I have this electric log splitter from Harbor freight. It's working out great.
5 ton Log Splitter

It works like the youtube above. Sometimes I put a really large log on (a lot larger than the recommended 10" diameter ) and have to first run the chain saw to make a 1" deep cut on the end to help the wedge get a splitting start especially if the wood is not seasoned. The log below is a recommended diameter and required no starter cut and was not completely dried.

I added a foot control - a wire wrapped around the hand lever and connected to a foot board.

A before, during and after pics.

 

[LD1]

You failed to account for the rated rpm for each motor. All 5 hp motors are not equal. The 5 hp gas was very likely rated higher than 3600 rpm.

I fail to see how motor speed has anything to do with what I am talking about.

Quite simply, to boast an 11 second cycle time and 22t you need an 11gpm pump and 4" cylinder.

Don't matter what the motor rpm is, as long as you are pumping 11gpm. Since most 2-stage pumps are rated at 3600, one would assume that for motor rpm. But you could get a pump with double the displacement (22 gpm 2-stage) and spin it with a 1800rpm motor and have the same end result. Of 11 gpm output.

RPM is not part of the formula for required HP.

But pressure and GPM are.

That 11gpm pump would need to shift somewhere around 300psi, and only be able to make 1000psi on low flow before needing more than 2hp. And 1000psi wont be anywhere near rated tonnage.