Opinions on a Splitter

[brendonv]

I'm looking for a wood splitter, I had plans on getting a Timberwolf, but I ran across this to hold me over possibly.

It's for a 3 point hitch, practically new. I was thinking of running off the Thomas, and possibly converting it to have it's own power unit as I have a Honda engine hanging around.

The dude will take 400$, the Timberwolf I wanted is $2500.

It has a 4x24" cylinder, up to 22 tons splitting, auto cycle return, 26" log capacity. It's vertical/horizontal which sucks IMO but the price is catchy.

Whatchya think?

 

[Burnham]

Seems like it would be hard to go wrong at that price...unless the bones of it are just not up to the tasks you'll be asking of it.

 

[NeTree]

I agree; for $400, you should be able to unload it easily in the future when you're ready to upgrade.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Looks like you'll be stealing it at $400. Unbelievably good price

 

[Burnham]

If it sounds too good to be true...

 

[Al Smith]

Cheap enough but don't knock the horizontal vert deal .You get into some big enough stuff you'll be thankful you can upright it . FWIW I had 500 in my homebuilt and I had most of the stuff already .

 

[Jed]

Yeah: Get that thing Brendon. Wood splitters are not that big of a deal--if the ram works, you're usually in pretty good shape. Guys always think that they need a more powerful ram than they really do.

 

[lumberjack]

18.8T @ 3ksi, 22T requires 3.5ksi fwiw. For $400 it's hard to go wrong.

 

[Al Smith]

Yes they have a tendency to kind of embellish the tonnage ratings .

 

[flushcut]

I have a Northern Tool 22 ton hor/vert with honda 5.5hp and it has been left outside year round for the past 8 years uncovered with no issues aside from a mouse nest. It has paid for itself at least forty times over and still splitting with no leaks.

 

[Al Smith]

I just throw a plastic tarp over mine,no problems .

On that tonnage thing in looking over the specs on a bunch of commercial built rigs I think TW is one of the few to actually give proper honest ratings as per the pressures and cylinder sizes .About like HP ratings given on saw engines in the past ,not truely accurate .

 

[brendonv]

It's about an hour away but it seems like I should grab it, thanks guys.

 

[brendonv]

So I'm sitting here thinking.

Will I be able to operate the splitter with the control valve that's mounted on it? How does that work in conjunction with the valve that's on the mini loader? If I'm thinking correctly, I would want the mini to have an open center system?

Carl had his hydraulics apart, any idears?

 

[sawinredneck]

Start the mini and use the secondary auxiliary hyd. port, the one on the front left, not the one you use for the grapple. Lock it on and see if it's flowing the right way or not, then reverse it if needed to match the way you want the valve to work on the splitter.

 

[brendonv]

Thank you, I'm picking it up after work today.

 

[brendonv]

I feel like I stole this thing. Works GREAT.

I am actually liking the vertical horizontal thing. I think I'll make a table, so the wood stays on the sides, the height of it doesn't make your back soar like I'm use to, I just have to check the o-rings in the control valve as they weep a little, and make a sturdier stand. Love it!

I recommend a hookaroon for anyone doing firewood too! Preferably Logrite Blue!

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Look at a two way detent valve for it also. They have them at Northern Tool for about 100.00. Just make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.

 

[flushcut]

I like the Peavy Manufacturing Inc. hookaroon myself. I feel it swings better than the Logrite one.

 

[brendonv]

Look at a two way detent valve for it also. They have them at Northern Tool for about 100.00. Just make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.

It's not bad with the auto cycle reverse. I'm not sure I trust a two way detent as Ashly is going to learn how to split wood as she enjoys a warm house. I am going to make some cylinder stops so it doesn't go through a whole stroke as I'll cut my wood all to 18". Leave about 2" to play with.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Yup. Safe move.
2 way is nice for efficiency but not safe enough for inexperienced users.