I had no idea that this thing weighed almost as much as my Progress so getting it off the the pick up was challenging as it's pretty much pre-assembled. My first indication of how well this machine is built is when I lifted the production table from the crate. HEAVY! After a days use, I was of course surprised how fast I could create a pile of splits. My usual splitter was a rented 4 way wedge Timberwolf. My splits are turning out to be much smaller and consequently more wood (less air space) fits in the woodshed. It's so simple to choose the size split you want. I also was surprised to feel more safe using this versus a hydraulic. Not an ounce of buyers remorse here...
Glad to hear you are liking the SS. Paul and his crew really do care about putting out a quality product. As you observed, the notion that because it is fast that it's inherently dangerous is false. I've said it before, but I have seen far more injuries with slower hydro splitters than kinetic splitters. I think there are a few reasons why this is: *The ram is not very large. Perhaps a 3" x 4" square/rectangle that pushes the round through the wedge. Not a very big area to pinch hands or fingers between. *The wedge is not that tall. I believe it is 6" in height. Much shorter than many hydro units. Again, less of an area to catch a hand on. *Hydro units draw more of the homeowner crowd. The last few years many companies have come out with kinetic splitters, so the numbers may change, but before the last 10 years or so, Super split was one of the only kinetic splitters on the market. The odd exception I can recall is Wood wolf, which was a cheapened copycat version made in NH with questionable legality. Most people buying kinetic splitters were professional tree guys or firewood producers. Even though they were producing way more cords of firewood, they were accustomed to the machine more and got hurt less. The bottom line is keep your hand ON TOP of the round and make sure only ONE PERSON operates the machine at a time, and you are statistically far less likely to get hurt. Enjoy your new toy!!!
Thanks sirbuildalot, it took years agonizing over this purchase and my first question to Paul was "Why isn't there a safety lever requiring 2 hands?" he basically said call and he will explain. I never did as I wasn't really ready to purchase a more expensive splitter. Now that I have it I totally get it. Chances of me getting my hands in there is zero. A flyback flip? well that may be another issue. But that is part of the learning curve to avoid that. I can think of maybe a hand full of instances with a hydro where, because of it's slowness, my mind drifted and my hand was near a pinch point or could have been. With this unit, the danger cycle is quick (for me with some sort of ADD so I don't have time to think of RUSH songs and stuff) and after that there is no danger. I study the wood log, push it into the knife, take a half step back and pull. Amazing.
Biggest tip I can give to avoid flip backs is this: Not all wood has straight cut ends. Always make sure you put the angled side of the wood into the wedge. Specifically try to put the long point of the angle down against the beam. Make sure the straight cut side goes against the ram.
10+ years on mine of near daily splitting year round. I've put $20 worth of parts into it in that time.
I just swapped the electric motor onto mine for the winter. Split in the heated shop, game on TV, no engine raging in your ears. Nice.
This is the same with hydraulics too. If you have a push through splitter, and follow this, you'll be much much safer. I've been splitting a lot the last few days, and I'm vigilant about paying attention to the splitter, and the wood when splitting. No distractions. If you have to look away, both hands are off the splitter so the ram won't move.
What's the sound decibel level on that unit? My experience building electric hydraulic pallet disassemblers ( essentially glorified electric log splitters with a long cylinder) was that the electrics are pretty loud, with a fairly high whining noise. Granted a lot of these were 480v, and electric motors have gotten much quieter and more efficient in the 25 years since that experience.
No whine at all, just a quiet hum from the motor. You can easily talk over it. The engagement of the rack makes a momentary clatter but nothing excitable.
I would assume if you were inside there would be greater DB's. Outside, no ear protection needed. I could drag my DB level meter out along with my Sound Spectrum Analyzer out to give specifics but, again as you noted haven't used those in what? 25 years in the motion picture theater business?
Sounds like a great idea to get both electric and gas motors. Did you get both from Supersplit or was one of them an add on you did yourself?
