'Rugged Made' splitter

Anyone seen these?? They look like they came from the same factory as the northern tool brand splitters. 3k for 13 hp /22gpm log lift and table AND a 30" cylinder doesn't seem too bad price wise.

http://www.ruggedmade.com/

Posted: 28 days ago

wood splitter with log lift - $2995 (south shore)

RUGGEDSPLIT log splitters by RUGGEDMADE feature commercial grade design and durability at an affordable price.
• Tow hitch takes 2 inch Ball
•12 inch Wheels
•Fenders included
•One Year Parts Warranty - We stock all parts
•Ships out following business day
•Can be assembled in one afternoon
Are you tired of borrowing your neighbor's splitter or renting? Frustrated by under-sized machines that can't split tough, green logs? Considering a used machine? The RUGGEDSPLIT features commercial grade design and construction at an affordable price.
The new "Type 2" is a push-through design; the blade is welded to the end of the beam. The cylinder rod pushes logs against the straight blade or the slip-on 4-way. After being split, pieces of wood drop onto the catcher tray for convenient loading or stacking. A 30 inch stroke allows owners of high-capacity furnaces to get maximum efficiency out of burning longer firewood.

Ergonomics: After many years in the business listening to our customers and conducting extensive testing, we have created the most convenient wood splitter available. The hydraulic log lift included with the premium package makes short work of bringing large, heavy logs up to the height of the beam. It is covered with a solid sheet of steel to function as a work table when splitting multiple small logs. We engineered it so that there in plenty of space for the operator to stand between the log lift and the hydraulic tank while using the splitter. There is no need to straddle the wheel and tank to reach the valves, which are located up high and can be operated from either side.
Speed: The huge 3-inch rod makes for a rapid return stroke, reducing overall cycle time. Big, free-flowing 3/4 inch ports on the cylinder connected by 3/4 inch hoses to 3/4 inch ports on the valves mean there are no bottlenecks in the hydraulic system.

Power: The splitter is powered by a tough 13hp Lifan engine (as sold in big-box stores) mated to a heavy-duty 22GPM 2-stage pump.

Towing: The catcher tray and log lift can be easily removed from the splitter and re-attached in with locking pins to facilitate towing and storage.
Call or come by 7 market st rockland mass 02370 ruggedmade.com
781-878-9600

 

More pics of the "Type 2"

 

Never seen one, but I like splitters to have the wedge move and the wood stationary. This one is the opposite.

 

They have a typical horizontal/vertical splitter with the ram mounted wedge.

 

Looks like a nice splitter !!

 

I've been looking for an older horizontal splitter that I can customize by adding a four way, lift and work table etc. But this splitter is tempting. Even if they cheaped out the various components and they fail early the 'bones' are there to make a nice splitter. Kind of a residential/Chinese version of a timber wolf.

Not sure of what to make of the 3" rod on the cylinder... Guess it improves cycle speed with the 22gpm pump at the cost of splitting power?

 

I don't know anything about them Mike. But I would be willing to test it for you. Just have it delivered to my house and I will put about 10 full cord through it and let you know what I think. Hey, that is just how I roll. Let me know.

 

Sounds like a plan... Let's get 300 members here to contribute $10 each. You can keep it for a 10 cord review and then I'll do the long term torture testing.

(All in the name of the greater good for the FHC community)

 

I emailed them a couple questions about shipping and cycle times. And what is included.

They will also sell it assembled for another 199 -- includes fluids and a battery for the electric start. If only this had been available when I bought my Northstar...

 

I live less than a 1/4 mile from that shop in Rockland. I've seen the splitters in person. They are made in China and shipped to the US once a year. The guy in Rockland gets his 'yearly' supply in the spring. Last year they offered 2 types of the "rugged" splitter, not sure what they have coming this year. One of the cons is parts, they only stock a limited amount of the Chinese made parts for these machines. I was close to getting one myself but when you see all the shipped in parts from over seas I got cold feet.

 

I would imagine many of the components are off the shelf or could be retrofitted?

I am curious on the pump being quite a bit higher than the tank.

 

The tank/pump motor setup is identical to the Northstar from northern tool. Never had a problem with mine.

I also would think that any part failure could be replaced or retrofitted with standard off the shelf stuff.

I noticed on my northstar that they used American made Parker hoses on the high pressure side and no name chiniseum hoses on the low pressure side. The China ones are cracking after 4 years and I keep it inside most of the time.

For a splitter with a log lift, 4 way and a 30" ram?

They look like they came off the same assembly line as the northstar.

 

looks pretty good

 

The beam looks like it might be on the low side. Easy enough to fix, pull it up on car ramps & block up the front support. Or depending on how it is assembled, may be able to do a homemade lift kit.

It is interesting the splitter is setup for a lefty. Most have the log lift on the other side.

The larger diameter rod is a plus & will not affect the tonnage of the push/splitting stroke just the return stroke. It does however greatly reduce the time it takes to retract the ram. This is why the commercial processors use a large diameter rod.

Lukem, have you used one of this design? I have used the horizontal/vertical splitters with the wedge on the cylinder & ones like Mike is telling us about. I have to say hands down the dedicated horizontal splitters with log lift & out feed tables are much easier on my back & provide a better flow of rounds to splits. I can split all day without feeling like I'm a whupped puppy at the end of the day like I did with the horizontal/vertical splitters.

I looked at the diesel one mentioned. While it may provide a longer life, how would it be for starting when it is real cold outside?

 

I've owned one of these for season now and here's my take. They have plenty of power, but the metal is subpar. The first few times that I used it, the wood extractor bent and one of the cradles broke. I contacted ruggedmade and sent pictures and was told that it wasn't a manufacturing issue. I disagreed but they refused to help. So customer service also seems to fall short. I would not recommend these splitters.

 

But the north star aka northern tools has history and support long term vs ?