Log Splitter Recommendations

[mikem317]

I'm sort of set on getting a log splitter either this year or next. I'm thinking it's not only a great survival tool (despite needing gasoline and periodic engine/hydraulic oil changes) but it would obviously see service in "normal" times.

I've split about a single cord of wood from storm damage from Sandy and it took me several hours over two days. I figure those same several hours could net more than just a single cord of split cord wood and I could probably do several cords in a day. I'd like to get several seasons ahead - My estimates suggest I'll burn between 4 and 4.5 cords per heating season - so I'd like to be able to dedicate a two or three weekends and get 15 or 16 cords cut initially and then just replace what I burn so continually have 3 years worth of wood.

I've narrowed my choices to a Honda-powered unit that's capable of horizontal and vertical operation and between 20 to 30 tons of force. Any thoughts/experiences?

Some of my "candidates":
1. Troy Bilt (27 ton): http://www.lowes.com/pd_116418-270-24BF572B711_?productId=1005417
2. Northstar (30 ton): http://www.amazon.com/NorthStar-Hor...1356999803&sr=1-4&keywords=northstar+splitter
3. Cub Cadet (25 ton): http://www.cubcadet.com/equipment/c...-cleanup/log-splitters-and-chainsaws/ls-25-cc

Keep in mind I have no experience with hydraulic/gas-powered splitters. Source wood will be felled timber on my property and purchased grapple loads.

 

[noelephant]

I don't know anything about gas log splitters. I do have a little electric one from Home Depot that is pretty awesome though:

www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-20...&langId=-1&keyword=log+splitter&storeId=10051

For a $300 splitter it did a great job, saved my back and handled pretty much anything I threw at it. I suppose it could be paired with a little generator...

I used it to split felled trees on my parents property. I don't think I split anything over 2' in diameter though.

 

[Lignum Vitea]

I have an American log splitter, http://americancls.com/index.php. Bought it in 1990, split 5-6 cords/yr, runs like a charm with a 8 sec. cycle time. Worth a look see, lots of options to fit your budget & needs.

 

[taggart]

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/179481-Log-Splitter-Ideas

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/178935-Log-Splitter-recommendations

 

[radioman]

The is the best splitting machine I've ever used. Never brakes down or needs any maintenance. Great simple machine. I believe it's a combination of the lever and wedge.

http://www2.fiskars.com/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Products/Axes-and-Striking-Tools/X25-Splitting-Axe-28#.UOMLWNdBsfg

 

[Hiltonizer]

possible post-shtf option... slow as hell it looks like but doesn't require any juice and no risk of putting an axe in your foot... I actually got one a few years ago when they were like $70 but I haven't used it yet.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200316859_200316859?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Logging-_-Log%20Splitters-_-1188&ci_sku=1188&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=CPrywpiAyLQCFYZM4Aod3CoAUA

 

[Billy2]

I second a 300 electric splitter. I have the lowes model and it has at least ten cords through it. Once a year I rent a big one for the stuff the electric cant split.

 

[alphawolf]

Wife got me an electric splitter and it rocks. I could not believe it.

Mine is the lowes model also.

If your near Shrewsbury I can show it to you.

 

[coastie]

possible post-shtf option... slow as hell it looks like but doesn't require any juice and no risk of putting an axe in your foot... I actually got one a few years ago when they were like $70 but I haven't used it yet.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200316859_200316859?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Logging-_-Log%20Splitters-_-1188&ci_sku=1188&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=CPrywpiAyLQCFYZM4Aod3CoAUA

Try it now so you can be sure to pick up a good splitting maul and wedges. They are a pain in the ass and are slower than snails. I can split 3 or 4 rounds easy before this is even through 1. Stops right up on anything gnarly.

 

[coastie]

OP have you thought about renting? Get everything all cut up and then spend a weekend splitting. Spend a weekend splitting. Then you return it and no worries about maintaining it. Not sure what it runs around you but here it is about $100 a day IIRC. Split all the large and gnarly stuff first that way if you have any left and you have to return it you have the easy stuff to hand split.

 

[Gidge]

http://timberwolfcorp.com/log_splitters/

 

[mikem317]

I have an American log splitter, http://americancls.com/index.php. Bought it in 1990, split 5-6 cords/yr, runs like a charm with a 8 sec. cycle time. Worth a look see, lots of options to fit your budget & needs.

Thanks. It looks like they have a Honda-powered model, but it's only on a horizontally-configured unit.

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/179481-Log-Splitter-Ideas

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/178935-Log-Splitter-recommendations

Oops. Thanks.

The is the best splitting machine I've ever used. Never brakes down or needs any maintenance. Great simple machine. I believe it's a combination of the lever and wedge.

http://www2.fiskars.com/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Products/Axes-and-Striking-Tools/X25-Splitting-Axe-28#.UOMLWNdBsfg

I've got a couple of those. In fact, I think I have the X27 too and the X25. I also have the Fiskars hatchet for kindling. These are the tools I've used before. I'm just trying to find a tool to help me quickly split 15+ cords in a weekend or two. No way I can do that with just a maul and wedges.

possible post-shtf option... slow as hell it looks like but doesn't require any juice and no risk of putting an axe in your foot... I actually got one a few years ago when they were like $70 but I haven't used it yet.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200316859_200316859?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Logging-_-Log%20Splitters-_-1188&ci_sku=1188&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=CPrywpiAyLQCFYZM4Aod3CoAUA

Good idea. I suppose for ~$100, you can't go wrong. But grapple loads can have good sized trunks and I don't think this would be up to the task.

OP have you thought about renting? Get everything all cut up and then spend a weekend splitting. Spend a weekend splitting. Then you return it and no worries about maintaining it. Not sure what it runs around you but here it is about $100 a day IIRC. Split all the large and gnarly stuff first that way if you have any left and you have to return it you have the easy stuff to hand split.

Yes I have. I figure it might cost $200+ for a weekend. And I'll need to buy two weekends worth initially ($400) plus $200 each and every year thereafter. So after five or six season, the splitter would pay for itself. Plus I could pimp it out to some of my neighbors. Two of whom burn wood and another one is thinking about installing a stove in summer 2013.

http://timberwolfcorp.com/log_splitters/

Thanks. It looks like the TW-HV1 model would fit the bill. I saw a deluxe Timberwolf unit at the Deerfield Fair last year. Pretty pricey, IIRC.

 

[Lignum Vitea]

You can get a Honda on both the "Low & High Boy" models also click the options.

 

[mikem317]

You can get a Honda on both the "Low & High Boy" models also click the options.

Looks like those two models are just setup for horizontal. I think most of my splits would be using the horizontal orientation, but I like the idea of being able to go vertical for those 150+ lbs rounds.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

This is a cool wood splitting trick when the gas runs out. This guy has some great videos on prepping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08rFh7XHIMU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[Andreas]

This is a cool wood splitting trick when the gas runs out. This guy has some great videos on prepping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08rFh7XHIMU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Holy crap... wish I'd known that as a kid. I gotta go find a tire for the next time I'm up a the cabin.

 

[Andreas]

I know this is OT for the original thread, but has anyone tried that "chopper 1" splitter the guy is using in the video? That also seems like a cool design.

https://www.chopper1axe.com/index.php

 

[NHAtHeart]

I use the 22-ton Huskee from Tractor Supply, you can find it on sale for $999. I split about 8 cord a year and have yet to find something it won't split, I've done up to 16-18" oak/ash and it's done fine.