Splitter wedge position, what's best

[Mattlt]

I've only used wood splitters with a fixed wedge, mounted on the beam. Now I see many models have the wedge mounted on the ram.

What's best?

It seems to me that if the wedge was on the ram and you got something gnarly stuck on it, you'd have a real problem getting it off. If you got something stuck on the fixed wedge, you can usually get it off be a) putting another piece of wood behind it and pushing some more, or b) somehow pounding it off with a sledge.

Curious what others think?

 

[john_bud]

Hard to say. The ram usually has a shield on it to strip off stuck wood, you don't get that with the fixed. Also, if you split a large hunk, it will fall if split with a fixed post where a ram wedge usually has a spot to catch the split parts so you can turn etc.

 

[Oldchuck]

My splitter wedge is mounted on the ram (22 ton Husky). I believe that is the standard, perhaps the only way to mount a wedge on a splitter that operates in both the horizontal and vertical positions. When the base plate is on the ground you can't have a wedge sticking up. The Husky, and probably any others, also has a couple of fixed mount stops that prevent a piece from sticking in the wedge. They strip the wood off as it retracts. Never had a problem with it.

 

[Dongerosa]

I have been using a splitter wedge on the ram for 20 plus year and have not had any problem. Now I have not split anything larger than 20, many 24 inch at the most in diameter. Next, the log splitter should have a housing around the splitting wedge in the retracted position. This design feature is to release a stuck wood piece as it retracts. I can say in my hours using a splitting, I have used that feature a few times.

The issue I see with the fixed splitting wedge is; if you have to do multiple splits you have to pick them off the ground (more work?), unless you have a table on the exit (again, more movement of the body. If your young and full of energy...this should not be an issue.

Now for what is best. I think it's a personal preference on what your system is for splitting and stacking. Or one you just happen to find or aquire at the time.

my 0.02 dollars

 

[xlr82v2]

My dad has an old SpeeCo splitter with the wedge on the rail. I've split a lot of wood on that thing, and he's split 50x more with it. When I bought my own place I got a Brave Industries splitter with the wedge on the ram. I really prefer the wedge on the ram... the piece of wood remains stationary as it splits... you don't have to drag the piece back for each split on the large pieces. Just take the split piece and throw it on the pile or let it fall if you're going to have to split it again. The other piece is right there leaning on your leg... just reposition it for the next split.

My advice for you would be to try a splitter with each wedge setup and find which type works best for you.

 

[Ductape]

It depends on what you are doing with the splitter. The wedge on ram design is usually to facilitate a splitter that splits vertically AND horizontally. Obviously, a fixed wedge would be a major issue trying to split vertically. The fixed wedge designs work better for production work where the splits are falling onto a conveyer to be loaded into a truck, or piled. Personally, I like the wege on ram design....... which is what I have. It keeps the piece of wood I'm working on directly in front of me (to be split numerous times) instead of pushing it away from me. I made a shelf of sorts for my splitter that allows me to keep the splits up at working height so I'm not constantly having to keep bending over and picking up the piece I'm splitting. This might not be as big an issue if you usually work with smaller wood.

In the pics with the big Elm rounds, my pre-production prototype shelf is made of plywood.

 

[Mattlt]

...

The issue I see with the fixed splitting wedge is; if you have to do multiple splits you have to pick them off the ground (more work?), unless you have a table on the exit (again, more movement of the body. If your young and full of energy...this should not be an issue.

This is good advice. Like I said, I had only used fixed wedge splitters in the past. The wedge on the ram seems like a good idea.

 

[Usta]

Ductape.... Thank you Thank you Thank you
I have a splitter identical to yours (27 Ton). I have been thinking, planning, designing, and re-designing some type of welded shelf / engine protector similar to yours. (I am always looking for an excuse to fire up the arc welder) Want a shelf and also to protect the engine from falling wood chunks. I think I have complicated my project by over thinking and over designing it. You created a simple but perfect shelf design that I think I will use/steal. (no arc welder required on this project though)
Did you pin or hinge the shelf for easy access to the engine gas cap, oil dipstick, pull starter, etc. ?

 

[escavader]

Ibuilt mine with fixed wedge,because i want the wood to come off the splitter end and not at my feet.When it builds up at the end of the splitter the next peice keeps pushing the pile up,when it cant,i fire up the atv and pull ahead slightly.Ilike to leave the wood in a heap for a few months to parially air out,until i scoop it up with the loader and haul it to the shed.
ALAN

 

[Ductape]

Usta, though the "shelf" does partially cover the gas filler, it really isn't any problem putting gas in the tank. I'd say the shelf comes back to near the center of the gas cap. I've not found any interferance with the pull start, oil filler or anything else. I used to have a fair amount of wood bounce off the plastic pull start cover, but not so much with the shelf in place. The other end of the shelf is a little shorter than the toe plate, to tipping the splitter up to work vertical keeps the shelf just barely off the ground. It has worked great, with no negative effects...... only positive. I was concerned that with a big chunk on it, it might make the splitter tippy....... but I can actually sit on the shelf and take a rest with no problems ! I find it perfect for keeping the wood right in front of me...... I do a fair amount of larger wood.


P.S. No pins or hinge. Just bolted it to the four original holes that the original "wing" bolted to. It hasn't hampered oil changes nor anything else.