Well, folks, its time for me to ask for advice. I'ld always taken for granted that I would be able to swing a splitting maul but I am slowly comming to grips with that I am having some elbow problems. Stll works but I have to be kind to what I have left. Ive had a goal of keeping 4-5 years of wood on hand and I have a huge pile bucked up as a start but this year I will rent a splitter. This, of course is a short term solution and I will need to buy. I know nothing of wood splitters so Im seeking your experience. Money will begin to get tight from here on in so I need to balence out value to quality. Im not sure about electric versus gas. We are on solar so electricity is tight in the winter but we have more than we could use in the summer. Im looking for your knowledge of what works and what is crap. Lets keep the theoretical cool devices out of the equasion or those that just read a sales artical but want one. Im asking for first hand experience please.
Thanks everyone for your help.
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.
go with a Gas Model, lots of power, although louder it works great. Get the size bigger than you think you will need.
I have used the electric/hydraulic ones in the past without any issues.
The difference between the gas and electric is what you are using the run the hydraulic pump, so with a gas it is really just acting as a generator.
I have has a electric/hydraulic splitter for a couple of years. Like Phuqd I have not had any issues. They are so much cheaper than the gas models. Which I have also used with no problems. If you wait for a sale at CT or TSC you will save 50% making it extremely cost effective against a gas model.
Alot of folks split the wood in the summer or fall when it nice out anyways, so the extra sun solar power could run the spliter.
“Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success.” -- Henry Ford
I have has a electric/hydraulic splitter for a couple of years. Like Phuqd I have not had any issues. They are so much cheaper than the gas models. Which I have also used with no problems. If you wait for a sale at CT or TSC you will save 50% making it extremely cost effective against a gas model.
Are you talking about those Yardworks products that are usualy on sale. Ive had problems with that brand before. Also seems a bit small as well. The more I think about it, electric would probably be best though I get the power issue. Do I understand this right that a gas powered engine is just working an electric hydrolic pump or is the engine running the pump. The sun is out this morning and I can hear the battery fan wining. We'll probably be full within the hour and its only 10 oclock
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.
You have it right C5, the hydraulic pumps are electric, and the only difference is what is providing the power to the hydraulic pump.
Home Depot and Princess Auto also both sell splitters.
They are not the most complicated machines, so buying a lower quality brand is not always a poor choice, and they are easily fixable.
I have had problems with Yardworks before too. I bought a rechargeable lawnmower it was very expensive and never worked more than twice witout repair. Not much of a lawnmower but perhaps a good boat anchor so much for trying to go green. Anyway back to the log splitter. Yes I do have a Yardworks...... yes I know, however I have not had problems with it. Our fire department has one too which sees a lot of use (it is converted to a can crusher) and we have never had a problem with it. For a $200 it had been a great investment.
Neat idea going both ways, very efficient.
Anyone have experience with these?
Yes I have, I rented a pull behind with I think a honda motor on it for a at least two seasons when I had the farm in Ontario. I think its the best splitter I've ever used I have been keeping my eye on kijiji for a splitfire. They are expensive to purchase new but the guy at the rental store told me he had no problems with the ones he rents out. www.split-fire.com
The PTO model looks sweet if you have a tractor.
C5, have you considered a wood gasifier? You can use one to power a gas wood splitter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AwmH43Vhq4
Anyone on here have experience with wood gas, either for propulsion or as a furnace?
I think woodgas is over thinking it. Woodgas works but its tempermental and dirty fuel. I would only risk it if their was no other option...and I was prepare to periodicly tear apart the engine for cleaning. There are some kick assed comercial models but who can afford spending that dough when the point is to save money
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.
I have a manual hydraulic woodsplitter that I think I will move with me up to NS. But, I have never used it. Bought it (for my husband who is now deceased) so we could split wood if there was no electricity or gas available. Ever the 'prepper' mindset. Not sure whether it is even worth keeping it though (about 3 years old but still new, in the box). Does anyone use manual splitters, and know how hard they are to actually use? Perhaps I need to give it to someone younger than I am.