Anyone have experience with Super Splitter Electric

HarvestMan,
We'll then my membership card also has the "Scarlett Letter" because I don't own, never owned a vertical splitter. I just don't want to spend the money. Period. If I could find a used one of that Super Splitter for around $800-$900 I would be tempted too. But, I just rent once or twice a year and my buddy Andy and I split everything in a day or two. The rest of the year I split by hand with wedges.
I'm with you man.

 

Oops. Got my colors mixed up ... but you got the reference.

 

Nah, everyone knows that horizontal, preferably with a log lift, is the correct way to split.

 

The bad thing about a stationary wedge is you have to pick up the round and move it back to split it again, with the wedge on the RAM the wood stays in one place, less work and faster , in my opinion

 

HD,
I'm with you on the wedge on the ram. IMO most of the nicest splitters are setup in that manner. I just always try to handle each piece of wood as little as possible.

 

That's what I'm talkin about

 

I think I've read everything on the internet about the SS over the last couple days; it has been fun and interesting. Here is my take based on what I have read:

The SS seems to be a polarizing machine. The people who own one or have used one say they LOVE it. The people who have not, have all sorts of doubts about it. It must come off as just too good to be true. I suppose this is partly because it is the exception (kinetic) to the rule (hydraulic) for splitting devices.

SS Cons:

1. Need to keep I-beam relatively clean or debris will cause pusher return to be sluggish
2. Bearings on pusher return may need replaced if #1 is not addressed
3. Have heard of pusher return issues in below freezing temperatures

SS Pros:

1. They seem to last a very long time with minimal maintenance (as far as I can see from posts, only things like belts, rubber bumpers for pusher return, bearings, etc. )
2. Fast
3. Durable (many firewood dealers use them and run tons of cords through them)
4. Electric version is very quiet

They are made in USA and you can talk to the owner if you have questions.

Regarding some of the doubts:

1. perhaps too fast so possibly dangerous - maybe, but hey, I split with an x27 - I guess I like danger (have not read of any injuries with SS, but any power tool can injure)
2. moving wood back from fixed wedge - I've read the pros never lift the pieces but slide them back
3. only splits straight grain woods - not based on what I have read, seems to handle almost everything (may take a couple strikes)
4. horizontal only - yep, big rounds are a pain - but there are workarounds to deal with these when you run into them. Not mentioned as a problem by SS owners (denial?)

Of course, the only way to really know about the SS is to buy one and use it. Already lined up a pickup to bring it home from the freight terminal, likely ordering one tomorrow ...

 

It's a cool splitter , good work space on the table, I'm sure it will serve ya well , if you put a lift on it ,that would take care of the big uns

 

I have never owned a vertical splitter and never saw the need for one and I have sold over two hundred cords of firewood in the last 8 years. Okay so I had a thumb installed on my back hoe, it cost under $800.00 much cheaper than buying another splitter. I would own one in a second if I was the only one operating it (free help and paid helpers). You aren't making a mistake and the only problem my friend admits to is that every once in a while a shred of a split gets caught under the ram causing it to have to be removed, sometimes a tedious task to remove it.

 

The Electric SS was quite the temptress! Emotion ruled the night, but the light of day and the cold shower of reason has sent her packing .

There is a real benefit to hanging around this site. Your insights have helped improve my wood burning situation (new Fireview, establishing multi-year wood supply, cant hook) and helped me avoid a few unnecessary purchases (Peavey, SS). While I really like the SS Electric, it just doesn't make sense based on cost, need and the inability to handle the big rounds. I am much better off splitting the normal easy stuff with the x27 and renting once a year to handle the rest.

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts.

 

Bummer, I was really looking forward to hearing more about it! But you probably made the most reasonable decision. Good on you.

I drool over the idea of a better splitter, but find I can pound through it with my x27 and baby electric splitter just fine. When that is not enough, a weekend rental of a big splitter is probably the next reasonable step.

Though that $699 "sale price" Harbor Freight dual action splitter is still singing that siren song to me ...

Greg

 

Harvestman,
I feel your emotion. You have me looking too. And I am an avowed rent the big splitter once a year with a group of folks and make a party out of it. I have a post back a few months were I described that scenario.
I am going to consider a small 7 ton electric splitter. I am only splitting for myself and once a year with the gang and then by hand has served me well for the past 3 years since I sold the acreage in the country with the wood heated shop/office and I owned the 24 ton Northern tool splitter.
Good for you man, sleep well tonight.

 

That Harbor Freight splitter was tempting and I looked it over at the store, because that was my budget for a new splitter $700, but that was just not what I wanted, I wanted something I could put up vertical and deal with the big ones, so, I just kept looking and looking until I found a used one with little use, that I was willing to pay that price or less for , I saw some better deals than what I got, but they were like one, two, three hour drive one way and were all older than the one I ended up with.
I am tickled to death with what I ended up getting.
This time of year people are getting rid of items that they have in their garage that they don't use anymore for whatever reason