Wolfe Ridge Log Splitter Information

[NPurdy1112]

Hello all,

I am looking into making a large purchase this year of a high quality gas operated log splitter. One of my top, if not top choice at the moment is this model, 28 Ton Pro Home Owner Log Splitter – Wolfe Ridge Mfg – 3132 Louis Ave – Eau Claire, WI USA 5473 – (715-598-779) .

Was wondering if anyone has any experience with the brand or specific model?

I am not dead set on this splitter. Will entertain other options out there. The main reasons for wanting a splitter of this style are below.


- Time: Would rather spend more time with the wife, family, friends, and doing other chores. Current splitter is at least 35 years old and operates off the tractor hydraulics. Absolutely nothing wrong with it other than it takes a long time and is using hours on the tractor.

- Quality: The manufacture seems to put a lot of care into using parts that will not break after one season.

- Price: I know it is significantly more than a traditional splitter, but compared to something like a wood-mizer it is half price of their base model.

- We definitely do not burn a lot in central Indiana. I would say every 5 years we get a larger snow or ice storm come in.


Feel free to post and suggestions, comments, or questions.



Thank you,
Nick

 

[2458n]

bite the bullet and get the harbor freight 6.5 horz. and make your own tow behind splitter. Faster then your tractor and you could be there for three hundred dollars.

 

[4570Man]

That style of splitter is way better than a horizontal/vertical unit IMO. I can’t tell from looking at the video but enough room to stand between the log lift and engine to operate the machine is mandatory in my book. Operating the machine from the side shown in the video is a huge waste of time.

 

[4570Man]

bite the bullet and get the harbor freight 6.5 horz. and make your own tow behind splitter. Faster then your tractor and you could be there for three hundred dollars.

I doubt you’ll get out of that project for $300 but it’s definitely the cheapest option short of doing nothing. The cheapest hydraulic pumps I can find are around $120. A 10 hp motor for a 16 gpm pump is around $300. You could use a 6 hp motor with an 11 gpm pump for about a $150 motor. You’re still going to need an oil tank, pump mount, love joy couplings, and a few hoses.

 

[4570Man]

Are you currently using this on your Kioti NX? The best I can tell that tractor puts out 16.5 gpm. Sometimes they have flow set aside for steering flow, but I couldn’t find any information there. If the 16 gpm is accurate your cycle time should be respectable.

 

[LD1]

I got sticker shock.....wow that is pricey.

Have you tried a regen splitter valve on your 3PH splitter? That will increase cycle time quite a bit

 

[NPurdy1112]

bite the bullet and get the harbor freight 6.5 horz. and make your own tow behind splitter. Faster then your tractor and you could be there for three hundred dollars.

Not interested in anything HF long term. Would definitely be a good quick solution, but not worth my time mentioned above.

 

[NPurdy1112]

Are you currently using this on your Kioti NX? The best I can tell that tractor puts out 16.5 gpm. Sometimes they have flow set aside for steering flow, but I couldn’t find any information there. If the 16 gpm is accurate your cycle time should be respectable.

Yes, Using the same tractor. The splitter is very old, older than me haha. I want to say it is 30 seconds last time I was counting. FIL said it has always been slow, but never had an issue for him.

 

[NPurdy1112]

I got sticker shock.....wow that is pricey.

Have you tried a regen splitter valve on your 3PH splitter? That will increase cycle time quite a bit

I have not. I know close to nothing about hydraulics currently. Relying on the new family to teach and learn from. Will certainly be looking a region splitter valve up on google soon.

 

[4570Man]

Yes, Using the same tractor. The splitter is very old, older than me haha. I want to say it is 30 seconds last time I was counting. FIL said it has always been slow, but never had an issue for him.

Unless I was bad wrong in the tractor GPM why is it so slow? Massive cylinder, tiny hoses, super long stroke? I’ve got a rugged made splitter. I’ll admit it has its short comings, but it’s half what another comparable unit cost. My splitter makes the 30” stroke in about 12 seconds. I usually keep the stop in it limiting the stroke to about 25” which makes it faster.

 

[LD1]

I have not. I know close to nothing about hydraulics currently. Relying on the new family to teach and learn from. Will certainly be looking a region splitter valve up on google soon.

Rapid Extend is another name for them

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Yes, Using the same tractor. The splitter is very old, older than me haha. I want to say it is 30 seconds last time I was counting. FIL said it has always been slow, but never had an issue for him.

IF you are splitting off a tractors remotes, there's a BIG difference between what the pump puts out and what the REMOTES put out!

SR

 

[4570Man]

I’d rather have an auto extended and retract than a regen valve. I wouldn’t want the auto valve on a horizontal/vertical splitter but it would be nice in a horizontal only with the wedge at the end of the beam. That way if you are working with the proper sized wood you could throw a piece on, hit the lever and walk away for another piece.

 

[crazyal]

I have an MTD splitter from Lowes with the homeowner Honda engine on it now for about 12 years. It probably splits about 8 cords a year and the only thing that broke is the plastic spider between the Lovejoy connectors ($10). The log lift would be wasted on my simply because I have a tractor with a loader that can drive to any round too big to lift and then to the splitter. I can put 4 in the loader. I probably paid about $1000 with a discount coupon. Unless you are going to be splitting lots of wood I can't see spending that much money for something you're not going to get much use out of.

 

[NPurdy1112]

Hoses are 1/2", Stroke is roughly 24", I do not know the diameter of the cylinder. I do have a partial picture if that helps, its massive from what I have seen on other splitters.

 

[NPurdy1112]

IF you are splitting off a tractors remotes, there's a BIG difference between what the pump puts out and what the REMOTES put out!

SR

I did not know this. Very good to know. Another reason in my opinion to go with a gas powered model. We don't have any free help ( kids ) so it is typically myself doing everything from dropping the tree to stacking the split wood.

 

[NPurdy1112]

I have an MTD splitter from Lowes with the homeowner Honda engine on it now for about 12 years. It probably splits about 8 cords a year and the only thing that broke is the plastic spider between the Lovejoy connectors ($10). The log lift would be wasted on my simply because I have a tractor with a loader that can drive to any round too big to lift and then to the splitter. I can put 4 in the loader. I probably paid about $1000 with a discount coupon. Unless you are going to be splitting lots of wood I can't see spending that much money for something you're not going to get much use out of.

I will check that model out or what Lowes may have at this time.

Trust me, I am cringing just thinking about spending that kind of money. I am looking more at value of my time vs. cost. And longevity of the unit. Wife works Monday through Friday and sometimes a few hours on weekends, I work 24 hour shift schedule. We do not get many complete days off together and would rather not spend them "working".

 

[4570Man]

Maybe find someone else to chip in. I got $800 out of my Dad because his splitter got stolen and he needed one too.

 

[Ford850]

How many full cords do you split a year?
I have a SpeeCo (Husky) from TSC. It's only a 22 ton splitter, but it's been an outstanding splitter. Cost me around $1000 when I got it 10 years ago, and I added the accessory table too. It starts with the first pull all the time (I do store it in the barn). Since it's a smaller SpeeCo splitter, it has the smaller cylinder compared to the bigger splitters. But because of that it has the fastest cycle time of their splitters. It's never failed to spit a log no matter how big, twisted, or knotty. If you have a lot of really big logs, then the lift table would be great. I flip mine vertical for the occasional large logs otherwise I like using it horizontal. With lots of tough wood, the higher ton models probably are faster on the push stroke since the pump wouldn't have to go into the second stage (slower) as often. Other than that, I would buy another one of these if I was doing it again. It depends on how much you plan to split.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I did not know this. Very good to know. Another reason in my opinion to go with a gas powered model. We don't have any free help ( kids ) so it is typically myself doing everything from dropping the tree to stacking the split wood.

It's the reason MY 3 point splitter is powered by a hydraulic pump "on the tractors pto", it's VERY fast a powerful!

It easily shoves everything I put on the beam, through it's 4-way wedge, greatly shortening the time it takes to split a load of firewood!

Don't forget, "quality" splitters have good resale, when you are done with them...

SR