In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Thoughts on kinetic log splitters?

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Drvn4wood, Oct 7, 2016.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Drvn4wood

    Drvn4wood

    Joined:
    May 21, 2014
    Messages:
    1,431
    Likes Received:
    5,925
    Location:
    Greencastle, Pa
    Looking at a woods equipment kls splitter that I'm itching to pick up on Monday. I've wanted a splitter for some time now since I process a decent amount of wood and don't like borrowing one from a friend. Had a chance to test the kls out and it was awesome. Anybody here had a kinetic for any length of time that can give me pros and cons over hydraulic other than price?
     
    Drvn4wood, Oct 7, 2016
    #1 Top
    TurboDiesel, HDRock, Woodsnwoods and 4 others like this.
  2. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2015
    Messages:
    24,398
    Likes Received:
    140,394
    Location:
    US
    I've only owned the one hydraulic splitter we have....
    I have heard that one con is the lack of vertical splitting ability.....
     
    Eric VW, Oct 7, 2016
    #2 Top
    TurboDiesel, Woodsnwoods, Horkn and 2 others like this.
  3. Drvn4wood

    Drvn4wood

    Joined:
    May 21, 2014
    Messages:
    1,431
    Likes Received:
    5,925
    Location:
    Greencastle, Pa
    Yes definitely a con. Figured if I get into big stuff I'll just noodle it once or twice. For the most part, the rounds I deal with are in the 12 to 16" range.
     
    Drvn4wood, Oct 7, 2016
    #3 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods, Horkn and 2 others like this.
  4. ironpony

    ironpony

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    3,564
    Likes Received:
    18,715
    Location:
    Mid Ohio
    Kinetic, is that when you think about it and it splits.......
     
    ironpony, Oct 7, 2016
    #4 Top
    TurboDiesel, HDRock, Woodsnwoods and 5 others like this.
  5. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

    Joined:
    May 29, 2015
    Messages:
    23,436
    Likes Received:
    150,562
    Location:
    NE Ohio
    Only if you are Chuck Norris...

    Not familiar with this brand/model. About the only ones that I have heard of holding up well for the long term are the Super Splits...some of the DR Power Rapidfire splitters don't make it more than a few cords before Kaplooey!
     
    brenndatomu, Oct 7, 2016
    #5 Top
    cnice_37, Woodsnwoods, Drvn4wood and 1 other person like this.
  6. AJtree88

    AJtree88

    Joined:
    May 15, 2014
    Messages:
    318
    Likes Received:
    1,764
    I have a super splitter (probably had it about 8 years or so). Besides the small bearing on top of the rail getting bound up and the springs being weak from the factory (just shorten the springs), it's been an absolute beast. I have well over 100 cords through it. Grease it and go. I don't miss a hydro at all. As you said, just noodle anything you can't pick up comfortably.

    As for the Woods, I saw it in our local farm newspaper recently. Looks alright and we all know Woods is a reputable company, but if the price between it and the super splitter aren't very far apart; I'd go with the tried and true super split. You know it will be rock solid, while the Woods still might need some bugs worked out.
     
    AJtree88, Oct 7, 2016
    #6 Top
    cnice_37, HDRock, Woodsnwoods and 2 others like this.
  7. bushpilot

    bushpilot

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2015
    Messages:
    3,240
    Likes Received:
    14,363
    Location:
    Eastern Washington
    There is a thread somewhere on the Timber Champ splitter, it has had some problems. I think generally the hydraulics are more rugged. I would take a Super Split in a heartbeat though.
     
    bushpilot, Oct 7, 2016
    #7 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods and Drvn4wood like this.
  8. Dancan

    Dancan

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2015
    Messages:
    431
    Likes Received:
    2,863
    Location:
    ns canada
    I have an old SuperSplit , it's the main splitter for the firewood from my selling pile .
    Most all of the new similar splitters that have come out have had issues with them in one form or another .
     
    Dancan, Oct 8, 2016
    #8 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods and Drvn4wood like this.
  9. Drvn4wood

    Drvn4wood

    Joined:
    May 21, 2014
    Messages:
    1,431
    Likes Received:
    5,925
    Location:
    Greencastle, Pa
    Well I bought it today. Didn't bring it home because it was raining so I'll pick it up Monday and put it to work right away!
     
    Drvn4wood, Oct 8, 2016
    #9 Top
    Shawn Curry, cnice_37, HDRock and 4 others like this.
  10. Dancan

    Dancan

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2015
    Messages:
    431
    Likes Received:
    2,863
    Location:
    ns canada
    You'll soon find the art of reading the wood LOL
     
    Dancan, Oct 8, 2016
    #10 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods, Eric VW and 1 other person like this.
  11. bushpilot

    bushpilot

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2015
    Messages:
    3,240
    Likes Received:
    14,363
    Location:
    Eastern Washington
    What did it set you back, if you don't mind telling. Looking forward to a report in a few days!
     
    bushpilot, Oct 8, 2016
    #11 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods and Drvn4wood like this.
  12. Drvn4wood

    Drvn4wood

    Joined:
    May 21, 2014
    Messages:
    1,431
    Likes Received:
    5,925
    Location:
    Greencastle, Pa
    Not cheap..lol.. Paid 2700 and change out the door for a new one. Could have picked up the demo for 200 less but at that price point I wanted the new one.
     
    Drvn4wood, Oct 8, 2016
    #12 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods, 94BULLITT and 1 other person like this.
  13. Drvn4wood

    Drvn4wood

    Joined:
    May 21, 2014
    Messages:
    1,431
    Likes Received:
    5,925
    Location:
    Greencastle, Pa
    Talked to a guy that has used this splitter for many cords and you stole his line..lol..
     
    Drvn4wood, Oct 8, 2016
    #13 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods and Eric VW like this.
  14. Drvn4wood

    Drvn4wood

    Joined:
    May 21, 2014
    Messages:
    1,431
    Likes Received:
    5,925
    Location:
    Greencastle, Pa
    If I can figure out how to create a YouTube account and video I'll post it here Monday.
     
    Drvn4wood, Oct 8, 2016
    #14 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods, Eric VW and 1 other person like this.
  15. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    13,474
    Likes Received:
    54,059
    Location:
    Ovid
    They scare me! :emb: I helped a buddy with his dr rapid fire and it was jumpy as in jump off the ground jumpy but then I also used the old TSC one and it did good however every split the center of the unit would bend up about 1/2" when it struck. Maybe they are just cheap versions. Lots of guys like them so they cant all be bad. Personally I love my hydrolic and dont really have a use for that kind of speed anyways. With two people you bet I would but I am usually splitting alone or with the wife and she wouldn't want to go that speed anyways.
     
    Pallet Pete, Oct 8, 2016
    #15 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods and Drvn4wood like this.
  16. Birddogtg

    Birddogtg

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    760
    Location:
    Central ohio
    I have a SuperSplit copy that is made by a guy here in Ohio,no problems at all after 200 plus cords.I have run a lot of splitters but give me the SuperSplit.
     
    Birddogtg, Oct 9, 2016
    #16 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods, Eric VW and 3 others like this.
  17. Drvn4wood

    Drvn4wood

    Joined:
    May 21, 2014
    Messages:
    1,431
    Likes Received:
    5,925
    Location:
    Greencastle, Pa
    One thing I like on this model is the 2 handed operation. The dr looks dangerous in the videos I've watched. I have well over a cord of rounds that need to be busted up so I'll get it to work right away and see what I think!
     
    Drvn4wood, Oct 9, 2016
    #17 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods, Eric VW and 1 other person like this.
  18. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    13,474
    Likes Received:
    54,059
    Location:
    Ovid
    It would jump sideways on a knot or tuff round. I think in about a face cord of splitting we went sideways about 1.5 ft on the pavement.... We ended up putting it in the grass and then it did good. The odd thing was the size that splitter sets very low and wasn't all that big for the amount of force it had.
     
    Pallet Pete, Oct 9, 2016
    #18 Top
    HDRock, Woodsnwoods and Drvn4wood like this.
  19. 94BULLITT

    94BULLITT

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2014
    Messages:
    2,446
    Likes Received:
    7,189
    Location:
    Frederick County, VA
    I ordered a Split Second last week. It is going to be delivered Tuesday.
     
    94BULLITT, Oct 9, 2016
    #19 Top
    Drvn4wood, HDRock, Woodsnwoods and 1 other person like this.
  20. 94BULLITT

    94BULLITT

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2014
    Messages:
    2,446
    Likes Received:
    7,189
    Location:
    Frederick County, VA
    94BULLITT, Oct 9, 2016
    #20 Top
    Woodsnwoods likes this.
Page 1 of 3