Northstar SPlitter - First Use

I finally got around to picking up the splitter and tried it out yesterday for the first time. I have been hand splitting for years, but I think those days are coming to an end after yesterday. Although I did hand split some big 24" rounds in half, so I could pick them up and get them out of the woods.

Since I have never used a Hydro splitter before, its not fair for me to be judging this splitter against any others. I can however, judge it against my maul and how my back feels today.

Everything worked as it should and I was very pleased with how easily it split some of my knotty pieces I was going to save for the campfire. Impressive power. I ran the engine just slightly over idle (guessing 1200 RPM?) and it had no trouble splitting anything. Split some Sycamore, Maple, Oak and Big Tooth Aspen yesterday.

As others suggested on my original post, this splitter needs a table, and a wheel jack would be nice to replace the fixed front leg. The wedge is 12" high, and I ended up taking rounds and splitting them not quite all the way through and just kept turning them around and running them back through the wedge splitting two pieces on each pass. Almost like using it as a 4 way wedge if that makes any sense the way I explained it.

I should have done this years ago! Even had time left over for a cold beer.

 

I see you noticed where they really shine… those ugly notches… tears em up like nothing. Enjoy that baby! Nice!

 

Nice, isn't it?
I'm also planning to replace the front leg with the wheel jack.
I have to lift the tongue, pull the pin, drop the leg, then try to line up the hole to replace the pin.
Reverse to tow.
PITA. There gots to be a gooder way.

 

Good idea. Anything to avoid lifting is big.

 

I even went to my "big uglies" pile to experiment with splitting the most gnarly, knotty, twisted ones!
It was cool....

Mines the same and the tongue is heavier than sh#%. I think it was more work taking the leg on and off than splitting all the wood.

Thanks for the kind words. I have plenty left to cut and split yet. Splitters going to make it much more enjoyable now. I use to cut a little and then hand split a little. Now with the Hydro, I think I'm better off getting a big pile of rounds and then breaking out the splitter for a half day and split everything up. No way to do that much splitting when your hand splitting, at least not me.

 

Dave's idea is a good one. Have you seen (maybe you have one) the "T" handled, 2 wheel rig with a trailer ball on it? Trailer dolly used to jockey trailers around in a yard. That would work slick for anyone with a horizontal splitter, not hooked to a 4x4 or tractor. I'll bet a pin hitch at the top of the handle could be added too, to hook on to a rig to haul it back to the stable.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200437629_200437629

 

I say the same thing,
wonder how much better shape my back would be in ,
if I'd have had a Hyd splitter years ago.

With out a hydraulic splitter now,
I'd be buying wood, or not burning

Nice pictures

 

Looks like all is well . Really like the picks !

 

The pics are great! Looks like you have a really nice machine there. And as said before, look at the possible options to make it better.

 

That just may be the ticket... Thanks

 

I have been thinking about something like this for my splitter

http://www.woodwardcrossings.com/Pages/New_Site_pics/farm/splitters/wx950-60-70.jpg

 

Because of the dog seat at the back of bike i added some length to the tongue of mine Fan and i might give it some more as it makes it easier to move around off the bike

 

Everyone listen to what he is saying! You only get one back, but many chances to ruin it. Work smarter and find a way to use one of these. Save you back for some "fun".

 

+1 Save, this was the year I stood up for splitting. What difference!

 

That is a real nice looking splitter, those big wheels and tires look nice for towing too. I have had mine for a few years now, and wouldn't trade it for anything. One of the absolute best investments I ever made!

 

Loon,

I see that beautiful dog in all your pics and he's the only one I see working all the time!

Really nice set up.... Thanks for all the tips.

Your place reminds me of a place my parent took me to vacation in Michigan when I was a little kid. Great memories
that stayed with me. Probably why I like rustic places in the woods and fires now to this day..

I would like to see more pics if you would like to share?

 

I like the log lift! Does it have two wedges on it?

 

Hey Loon… that a Troy Bilt splitter? Looks just like the one livin in my garage…

 

The one you slept with when it was new?