log splitter

s1120 · Jan 11, 2002

Thought I would show you this picture. It is a log splitter on my wifes Ingersoll 224. This thing will split anything! It is dubble acting, and runs of the tractor Hydrolics.[The Case/Ingersoll hydrolics on the tractors put out about 10 gph]

jdrotert · Jan 14, 2002

Will that thing split on BOTH ram strokes?

s1120 · Jan 14, 2002

Ya. Only problem is the logs can't be to long

BWa · Jan 14, 2002

Paul
I have followed this thread with a bit of intrest and was wondering if your spliter works as a vertical spliter also ? And could you give the maximum lenght that your spliter will handle please ..

Thanks
Bill G.

s1120 · Jan 15, 2002

No vertical. It will lift up, or down though. You can lift it up so you dont have to bend down, or lay it almost to the ground. In the pic it is about middle. As far as lengh, I don't know for sure, reg fire place/wood stove lengh fits, but I was going to split some bon fire stuff a little long, and it was to long. I am gussig about 24"

BWa · Jan 15, 2002

Thank you ,..... I was think if there is one that will go both vertical and horziontal with a 4' capacity would be a great all round splitter , even better if like yours it was double acting .......Ahhh wishful thinking

beenthere · Jan 16, 2002

A splitter of this design would be very inefficient (for the operator) if the stroke was longer than the normal length of firewood (18-24"). The operator would have to wait for the ram to get back to the next piece of wood everytime. I'm curious as to why you have 4' long firewood?

BWa · Jan 17, 2002

I guess just to put the horse before the cart , split 4' and then cut to stove length , , having to work off a cord of wood , in four ' cut .. Was think that split lenghts would be a bit lighter to pick up than chunks , 12" -14 " and 12- 20"+ around .........

beenthere · Jan 18, 2002

I don't have any experience splitting 4' wood, only 6' white oak for posts, and 10' white oak for rails. Granted, I can't claim a lot of experience with either of these either, as it was very hard work. Its very difficult, even with a fairly clean (easy to split) wood such as oak, to get the wood to split the full length. It takes a lot of extra chopping along the length to keep the split in the wood, and not running off to the side. I expect this would be the somewhat the case with the 4' wood as well, but others may have more experience with that length.
As for cutting the firewood to length after splitting, I would prefer to cut it to length before splitting. When the wood is short (down to the last two pieces), it is the most difficult cut to make (that last one) as the wood is sometimes hard to hold and get the saw to bite into it without tossing the piece around. Maybe that is just my inept ability to handle the saw and log on the ground. However, it would keep me from wanting to have 4' split pieces laying around waiting to be cut to length for a wood stove. As for lifting the piece to the splitter, I would much rather lift a 20-24" piece up to the splitter, than to lift 4' lengths. Maybe I am too fussy in my old age, but for the life of me (and 25+ years cutting and splitting firewood at an average of 6 cords a year), I can't imagine wanting to split 4' lengths, if I didn't have a stove that would take that length. Please don't take this as any indication that it wouldn't work for you. I would like to know if it does.

shaley · Jan 18, 2002

Hi, I bought a Northern 3PH log splitter for my NH 2120 (9.8 GPM) but because, as another poster mentioned, the control valve did not have a detent position on the return stroke it was not very good for splitting wood fast. Most splitters have a detent in the control valve that allows the user to not have to hold the valve handle while the cylinder is returning (return stroke only). You and make the most of this time by picking up another piece of wood so when the wedge returns far enough you can drop the wood in the splitter and reverse the direction and continue splitting. The stroke time is slower on this unit because of the low volume tractor hyd. A 4" cyl @ 2500psi will give 16 tons of force and requires 1.3 gals at 24" stroke. This equals a 9 sec stroke time out and 9 sec back. As for me I prefer the horizontal splitter because I'd rather lift than bend over and work, but thats just me. If anybody wants to build one I have a set of plans for a 3ph unit that u can build for about $300.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 13, 2002

I have a Kuborta M series and would like to make a Log Spliter tp use with it .I would appreciate any plans you might know of .Thanks, Steve at en207@juno.com

micromike · Feb 13, 2002

I'd also like any plans for a 3ph log splitter that might be available. mdennisus1@yahoo.com

tia micromike

hayden · Feb 13, 2002

I bought a little booklet many years ago from Northern Hydraulic (now Northern Tool) o nbuildign your own log splitter. It incudes plans for several different log splitters including a 3PH model. You could check with them to see if it's still available.

DK35vince · Feb 13, 2002

check out www.cadplans.com .they have plans to build your own log splitters,back hoes,front loaders etc...

Anonymous Poster · Feb 26, 2002

I bought a Split-Fire model SS244 3pt. splitter with 4-way wedge. This machine will out-split anything I have used by at least double (volume). Myself and 2 helpers can split 10 face cords per hour, and this is small fireplace sized material when finished. It is a two-way design, which eliminates "cycle time" arguments, since it is constantly splitting, if you can keep it fed with wood. If you are looking for a quality machine with performance, try one. Also, keep in mind that with a 3 pt splitter, you can adjust working height, and lay it on the ground to roll large blocks on it... this is much easier than trying to itch a big block up under a vertical model. Split-Fire does offer a hydraulic log-lifter as an option. I have tried every variation of splitter and believe that the 3pt, two-way, tractor-powered version is the way to go. The 4-way wedge is nice, too ( it saves 2 strokes).

kiphorn · Feb 26, 2002

Who makes the Splitfire Log Splitter? I could only find the following link to Splitfire Log Splitters and its not the model you have.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.gilmorefs.com/Splitfire.JPG>Splitfire</A>

Kip

Anonymous Poster · Feb 27, 2002

The name of the company is Split-Fire, also. They have a website @ www.split-fire.com, I believe. Also a toll-free phone #: 1-8splitfire. The model mine is called on the website is SS240-4. On my machine, the decals say SS244. For most people, the 244 (240-4) is overkill, but all of thier machines are 2-way, which is an unbelievable time-saver. Also notice the trays on the side, they keep all of the wood on the splitter, so you don't have to bend over to pick up pieces, my wife even appreciates those. Mine was just under $1500, which is a lot of money, but I think that the next smaller one (230) is around half of that.