I have a 27 ton craftsman splitter (got great deal) that is much like any of the other vert/horizontal machines out there. I am thinking about taking off the log catchers and making real tables. I need more space to hold larger splits as I don't like to pick them up off the ground and sometimes larger splits will fall on the engine an fenders. Generally I split right off the tailgate of the truck. Some day a larger engine and pump, but theres no money in the budget for that yet. Lets see some of you mod's.... or hear ideas. I do want to keep the vert/horizontal option so moving the wedge to the end of the beam is not an option.
I've got a DHT 27 ton and the work table is such a help. In the near future I'm thinking of building a stand alone log lift. I can split vertical but at 6 foot 6 I'd rather bring the work to me versus me to the work
I can't find a better pic, but I just added a large piece of flat steel to one cradle (holes were already drilled, so I just had to drill 2 holes in the plate and add bolts).
Dex, I was considering something exactly like that, but on both sides of the beam and maybe a little larger with a flat section on the operators side. I dont think I need log lift though. I'd rather noodle a large round into smaller pieces that I can easily lift into the truck bed.
My neighbor felt sorry for me i guess with my sledge hammer and wedge and towed his Huskie 22 ton wood splitter into my front drive--with some quick instruction i massacred 1/2 a cord like a dream--now i wonder how i did without one--they are loud and i don't like to disturb the neighbors--but heck they know i'm a FHC nut at a glance--i like the conversations--i've learned quite a bit---
I'm on my third year of heating with wood. I realized very quickly that a splitter was in order. If we could just split wood and put it in the stove I'd probably split by hand, getting three years ahead though? No thanks.
I call them singing ear muffs. Get you some of the hearing protection that have a radio or input for your mp3 player/phone. You don't notice it. And it's just a lawnmower engine, it's no Lowder than mowing your grass.
Would you be able to work the valve with a bigger table on the operator's side? The problem with most H/V splitters is where you want to stand is right where the axle/ wheel is, add in another obstacle and it could be painful after a while.
Yea I tend to lean foward and down as splitters are short and I can't reach it well standing straight up. This combination can hurt my back more than actually hand splitting. And I don't consider myself tall at 6'2". I aways say I will make a small platform to raise the splitter like 10"s higher but never do. This is why I split vertice more often now. I sit down with it and can go 3x longer without the back strain.
Ha, at 6'6" I keep saying the same thing . Gonna make a platform. .. then I never do. I will. Someday. Maybe.
Splitting for more than 2 hours on the machine and I can feel it and I'm only 5'8". I always feel for you tall guys when I am sitting on a plane and uncomfortable.