What's the difference, if there is one, of a wedge that is attached to the hydraulic ram versus a wedge that is stationary and the ram has a pushplate? Same splitting force or different? Other differences or advantages/disadvantages that you can think of?
Most commercial splitters have the wedge at the end and a push plate on the ram. Biggest advantage being you can have the wood that is being split "push" the previously split wood onto a conveyor, into a trailer or box, etc. Another big advantage is using multi way wedges is much easier with the wedge being stationary Biggest advantage to the wedge on the ram is it can often be used horizontally or vertically, negating the need for a log lift.
The splitter i use has the wedge on the ram and can be used horizontal and vertical. When splitting big rounds ill use in vertical. When the plate is on the ram it cant push the round/split all the way though in a complete cycle and youll often play tug of war with the round/split if it doesnt completely split. If the wedge is on the ram and the split jams when in reverse it will be freed up. Ive only started using a hydro this year and these are based on my observations.
Push through with adjustable 4 way and a log lift in my dreams the Speeco 25ton gets the job done in real life.
Wedge-on-beam (push through) works better for tough stringy woods (like elm) because if the wood doesn't fully come apart you can just drop the next piece in and push it through to completion....one disadvantage is that you have to "chase" each piece of wood if it needs to be split again (its been pushed out in front of the wedge. Many here have made drop on adapters for the foot plate on the wedge-on-ram type that allow for them to work well with stringy stuff though too. Another advantage of the wedge on beam is that the wedge can be slimmer/sharper (since it is welded solid to the beam) which allows it to just slice the wood rather than brute force it open...kinda like how the Super Split kinetic splitters work...very narrow wedge that just slices... All in all I personally think the wedge-on-ram type is more universal...each to their own though...
Push plate on the ram, you simply load another log in and even the gnarliest elm pieces get split all the way though. I've had some really bad ones stuck on the HV splitter with the wedge on the ram. Log lift is king, because wrestling around big rounds sucks. If you're not doing many big rounds, it's ok, but it's far easier moving rounds at waist height on the splitter than on the ground.
I run a wedge on beam. If you are splitting big stuff or need your splits to be small and you need to resplit the same round several times. Then a wedge on ram style might be better. If you can get away with one split either into a 4 way wedge or a 6 way. And you have a way to handle the out flow of split wood, then a wedge on beam is the way to go. Look at the economy priced models. Wedge on ram design. The commercial ones that crank out wood, wedge on beam. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
