Two things to note: When you use a splitter with "auto cycle" valves you keep your HANDS OUT OF THE WAY once the levers are actuated. You handle rounds by the middle not the ends. Since I have the ram on running 21" of the 30" stroke right now your fingers are close to the push plate and wedge. If a round shift slightly you will pinch a finger and you only have to do that a few times to learn not to do that again. Real important on a 200# round.
After using one quite similar this weekend, i like how the 4way wedge drops below the bed. Very nice! Hmmm. Wonder where Firewood Bandit was this weekend. Would have loved to try that new splitter!
Wow what a big machine! I've noticed (not that it matters much) that the 4way wedge makes a LOT of splitter trash. I only mention it because i work in the neighbor's field/log yard and i try to clean up the chunks so he doesn't hit it with the mower.
What I meant was to run that throttle full to let that pump eat. Judging by the 11sec cycle time on that shortened stroke you are not running it full throttle.
You are correct, the amount of trash is more. The knives are so sharp too and that contributes to the problem.
You are correct, it was running at 2660RPM. You have a good ear. I always split by myself and most of the time the machine is running doing nothing as I stack as it is split so this isn't much of reason to run it faster. The hour meter doubles as a tach when it is running.
No matter how a splitter is made, wood will still only split in the manner dictated by the grain. Running crotches through a 4 way is just hard on equipment. For that reason I feel a 4 way MUST be adjustable so that it can be used as a conventional splitter. The knives on this one are made of AR400 and are real sharp and will cut wood if needed. This does create a little more splitter trash though.
I figure this will be the last splitter I buy. I've been retired 11 years now, figure I only have one more decade of serious wood cutting in me. Maybe have to have some wood delivered then, or maybe not.
A neat trick I saw on one was a foot pedal that could be pushed off or on connected to the throttle. Like a sideways treadle on the ground. Step on one side dropped the motor down to idle as he walked away carrying, stacking, loading, getting a drink etc. step the other side (like a seesaw) revved it back up to the preset setting. Hands could be carrying or handling firewood on the beam. Pretty neat I thought. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sure, Wolf Ridge is made 90 miles away from where I am. The build quality is no where even close to this one. I would not consider WR because the 4 way wedge cannot be adjusted all the way so it can operate as a conventional splitter. I process log cut offs that have a lot of crotches and big limbs in them.
Very nice splitter you had built for yourself there. Is it your birthday gift (a little early) or do you get another one today???