Tell me everything I need to know B-4 buying a log splitter

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Never used a log splitter. I'm in the market for one, and don't know where to begin. PTO driven? Gasoline powered? Name brands?

What to look FOR and NOT.

Ease of operation is high on the list of "wants".

Thanks for any help

-- J McFerrin (JMcFerrin@aol.com), March 23, 2002

Answers

What type wood are you splitting? Some soft woods can be split 4 ways with one pass. Two stage hydraulic pumps allows the use of a smaller engine. Trailer mounted allows you to take it to the wood site, smaller pieces are easier to load. Units that convert between horizonal and vertical allows less handleing of large pieces. PTO driven requires tractor fuel. Do a mental check list and hollar back at us with what type or circumstances you will be working under.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), March 23, 2002.

I would definitely get a 2-stage. At least 5hp. Another thing you might want to consider is how high the rail is from the ground(largely dependent on the wheel size). It can make a difference when you're using it all day.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), March 23, 2002.

Try renting one for the weekend and see how you do/don't like it. We have hard woods, lot's of oak and for our needs decided (after renting) to make a deal with friend who has a Tree/Firewood Service. He cuts and keeps most leaving us with the cord we need for the year

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), March 23, 2002.

Ck. out Northern Hydraulics and Harbor Freight tools. Noise of engine is also a factor when you work near it a long time. If your tractor has quick disconnects on the hydraulics you can tie into that and a splitter will be much cheaper because you already have a pump and an engine. A PTO driven can use a Prince pump that slides on the PTO output splines they work good. For ease of use if it is horizontal make sure the height is OK. Too low and you will be stooped over and your back will hurt. Too high and you'll have to lift the wood higher than you want. I've never used a vertical style. For the best ease of use be sure your wife and kids can use it comfortably.

-- Emil in TN (eprisco@usit.net), March 23, 2002.

Check out http://www.northerntool.com (formerly Northern Hydraulics, I think).

The have 20-ton log splitters from $849.99 to $1099.99. One of those is a horizontal/vertical model. Engines offered are Tecumseh, Briggs and Honda -- all 5 HP.

I'd definitely avoid the Tecumseh engine -- total piece of crap.

They also offer two other models -- 24- and 30-ton -- priced at $1499.99 and $2199.99.

To that, of course, you'd have to add shipping, which wouldn't be cheap. That is, unless you're near one of their few retail outlets which might carry them.

They also offer a book, "Build Your Own Logsplitter," which I finally ordered after I quit gagging over the $7.50 shipping cost for the $9.99 book. I scoured the web and everywhere for another such book and couldn't find one. That seems to be the only one in existence, aside from some plans offered at ridiculous prices on the Web.

When I get the book I'll let you all know what I think of it.

-- Hank in Oklahoma (hbaker@ipa.net), March 23, 2002.



Whoooops... I may have been wrong on the Northern Hydraulics thing.

There actually is an http://www.northernhydraulics.com

It's in Northern Ireland.

-- Hank in Oklahoma (hbaker@ipa.net), March 23, 2002.


Bought a Brave brand 5 hp with Briggs engine a couple yrs ago. It will split anything I have. Oak, hickory, you name it. Some were nearly 3 ft across. No lack of power. Only think I don't like about it is its a pain to stand upright as you have to pull a pin and unhook from hitch on tow tractor or truck. I have seen some models that have an extra frame so you can leave it hooked up. I may convert this one someday. Price -- $950 at local farm supply. Friend has a tractor powered one but bought one with its own engine as he was tired of running an expensive tractor when this engine uses less fuel and can be replaced for about 200 dollars. He says he get much better cycle time out of the engine model plus the option to stand it up on giant cuts. No way you can lift a 3 ft cut up on the thing alone. The stand up feature is wonderful . Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), March 23, 2002.

My splitter runs horizontally, and runs off the tractor. It's Ok but I borrowed a friends Honda powered splitter, which splits vertically or horizontally. The vertical method is terrific. Personnally I'd use the tractor hydraulics and a vertical splitter.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 23, 2002.

I second the advice to rent one (or two or three different kinds) and see which you like best. Some people don't need one that tilts, but DH wouldn't be without it. 5hp is the LEAST I'd get. And gasoline powered is handy if you need to haul it off your place.

-- Wingnut in Spicewood, TX (wingnut@moment.net), March 24, 2002.

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