One that pushes wood into wedge is horizontal only. They will usually cost more. And needs a lift for the big rounds. That kind really helps with stringy wood. We have the H/V type.
Push plate is best. Where the wedge is stationary. The splits will push their way onto a trailer if you are really wise. Also, helps with stringy wood that doesn't split as easily. But then if you want to process big rounds, then you'll pretty much need a log lift. Or a super low splitter.
Oh boy MikeInMa , the only thing more divisive than this topic is an oil thread! Both types have their advantages...just depends on how you personally process your firewood. I really like campinspecter 's splitter...its almost like a mini yarder too...I'll probably never actually do it, but I have an idea in my head of building one like this mounted on a trailer, kind of a hybrid processor...using the winch, drag the whole log to and up on the trailer, buck it on the trailer, roll the round right on the splitter, toss splits on opposite side of trailer...when full, head to the house...oh, and I forgot to mention, this would be a "dump trailer", so easy to unload if not stacking straight off the trailer...
Its good to understand pros/cons of both. I still split by hand. Because I can and I enjoy it. However, when the time comes that I need hydros, I expect to be somewhat conversant.
push through. BRAD you know what I have ; any time you want to come give it a test drive feel free. I have wood you can practice with.
Ummmmmmmmm, No sorry it just broke ! Engine exploded , hydraulic cylinder ruptured , spool valves in pieces ' wheels fell off ' , tongue bent ( both of them ) , wedge folded in half and log tray flew off when she blew. As soon as the environmental clean up crew arrives to clean up all the oil , I get the contaminated dirt dug up , fill in the holes from the clean-up , reseed and plant grass , cut the grass where the expolsion happened I might consider that. By then the battery for the electric starter is dead and the pull cord for manual start is broken. Only if I am lucky ?
I picked up the tractor supply splitter special last black friday and I have been using it a good deal. I have run about 5 cords through it so far and it is around 25 tons. The one thing that I would like would be the shelfs. I may make some but they don't come standard on the model I got. I do split vertically but I would rather not be crawling around on the ground for more than i need to.
We have done a few mods to make our TSC 30 ton H/V more efficient. We added blocks on the foot so the wedge goes all the way thru, splits elm, stringy hickory and pecan, no problem. And we added leg supports and a ramp. Makes loading bigger rounds easier I just like the better control of the size splits we make with this splitter, especially for the money spent.
Well! I didn’t see this coming I would say you have more than earned one brad! Can’t wait to see you pulling whatever you end up with behind old faithful ford Like you said, still sore but a different sore!
I have the bi-directional Harbor Freight one where you're always pushing the wedge into wood. One advantage that I find is it's easier to get the wedge unstuck on large rounds than if the wedge is stationary since I can just move the wedge by pushing the lever the other way. Another advantage when splitting hard stuff like oak towards a stationary wedge it seemed like anything behind the wedge became a line of fire where the wood would often torpedo towards. Pushing the wedge into the wood definitely causes less wood going flying around.
I have the yardmax 25t full beam splitter. 10 second cycle time and it goes vertical. I feel like I split faster going vertical but I enjoy the workflow of horizontal more.
buZZsaw BRAD I know you have been a die hard hand splitter and I applaud you. However a hydro splitter runs just as fast after 3 hours as it did in the first 5 min. Not so sure that can be said of a man. If you are getting the itch for a splitter just buy once as it appears you have gone from CAD to LSAD. BTW, check out the limb that was in the round in the 2nd and 3rd pic.
