Hi all, For years I've been using a Timberwolf TW-P1 splitter, which is a very nice little horizontal splitter that has split everything I've put on it. As I get older, I find that the splitter is just a bit too low and I start getting back pain after a while. Also, because it's horizontal only, I have to either find a way to lift larger logs (some are over 24" diameter) or pre-split them either by maul and wedges or a chainsaw before I can get them into manageable pieces. In other words I've figured out that there are probably better options. I tend to get a lot of scrounged wood which means big pieces, and I was thinking a vertical splitter might suit me as I don't have to really manhandle the pieces, I can just sit on a milk crate or bucket in front of the machine and split them while they're on the ground. Maybe a bit more bending and lifting for the splits but they're a lot easier to deal with. Now I'm looking for something of good quality. One of those Eastonmade monsters would be amazing but the budget is going to rule over this. I don't want box store junk. I want something that's of similar quality to my Timberwolf and will outlast me. Any suggestions on what I should look at?
This company has a horizontal and vertical splitter Log Splitter With Firewood Conveyor in Honeoye, New York - American Conveyors & Log Splitters
The commercial vertical splitters like Splitforce, Eastonmade, Powersplit, and now Wolfe Ridge are all really nice...and really expensive. Working at a standing height with a huge sorting table and a log lift is the cat's meow. Not realistic unless you are a large commercial seller though or independently wealthy. What is your max budget?
Just get a store bought machine that has vertical. I have my homemade splitter that is horizontal only, and then a 22 ton speeco with vertical. The speeco is used for breaking down big chunks and for when I need to split wood away from my power source. (My homemade one is electric) My homemade electric is my workhorse. It has a large table, slip on 4 way, and is very easy to move. It's also pretty fast. I love it.
Could take a standard store bought horizontal/vertical and make it into a platform style splitter like walt did...
Yeah, there's always that urge to build my own custom splitter. What I don't have is either time or money and I have a lot less time these days than money. Budget is probably $3500. SO that keeps me out of the range of the commercial splitters but into a good US made machine. I paid $2500 for the Timberwolf. I could be happy with adapting a log lift to the Timberwolf, but I'd have to custom-build it. They don't make the TW-P1 model anymore after the company ownership changed and they moved from Rutland, VT. Actually, my neighbor is an expert welder and he's retired. Might be a good project for him. Maybe I'll look seriously into a log lift.
Here's one that can be adapted to whatever...you can find 5% off new customer discount codes for it too. https://ruggedmade.com/hydraulic-log-lift-kit-for-log-splitters.html
I think this is a good plan. You already have hydraulics to tap into. Will be a lot cheaper than a whole new machine. The entry level Timberwolf TW-2 is close to 5 grand. I don't know that you'd be able to step into any American made hydraulic with a lift for $3,500. It'd most likely be foreign built. I made a log lift for my Super split which has no hydraulics, so anything is possible. Sounds like it time to bring a case of beer and a notepad to your neighbors
I'd lose my mind waiting for the log lift in the video. The tractor is right there and could hold a pile of rounds. the neighbor is sounding like a very good idea.
My old 27 ton Troy Built splitter did both horizontal and vertical splitting. Didn’t use the vertical much as the rounds were on the ground and awkward to move bent over. My father in law has it now and we built a small table next to it to put rounds on. Got him a set of tongs to put on the JD 1025R backhoe and he uses that to pick up anything he needs to split.
How fast is your electric ones cycle time vs a standard gas hydro? I found a 20 ton electric hydro on FBM and was considering it even though it was rather pricey
It's 3hp, 14 gpm with a 4" cylinder. It's pretty quick. Here is a video with horrible lighting. It was a quick video and I had the camera on the wrong side. I was busting down some bigger rounds that required a few passes through the 4 way. I leave the 4 way on for pretty much everything. My kick down pressure is about 400 psi (only 3 hp) and my relief is 2400 psi because anything more is not needed. It's rare to see more than 1000 psi when using the 4 way, even when shearing knots. I absolutely love electric. It doesn't bog down and I can run it all day for pennies.
3hp would be my minimum for electric. You need a smaller high pressure stage than a normal pump (mine is 1.8 gpm), unless you are willing to live with a much lower pressure relief. I am using a 100 ft 12ga cord with no issues. I could run 200ft of 10 ga wire if I wanted to, but I don't really need more than 100 ft right now. I used a 3hp motor because it was almost free and it was 3600 rpm. If you want to run a 1725 rpm motor, you have to double the pump size, but it will also run quieter. You could run a 5hp motor and a standard log splitter pump, but you would need 10 ga wire as a minimum.
3 HP, thats not a super common size...air compressor motor? What is the FLA on that motor? On the splitter I just finished (well, almost) I have a "5 HP" for it...but it's one of those air compressor "special" motors, so it's really more like 4 HP I think... it's 16 FLA and I'm running a 16 GPM pump...I'm just about at the point of being able to clamp it down and try it. Pump is set to 2500 PSI max, and I haven't paid attention to the hi/lo shift point pressure yet. (using the gas engine) I bought a 100' 10gauge RV cord to power it...guy had it on FBMP for $50, new in the package.
3hp 240 volt is pretty common. It's a tefc motor, 1.15 SF if I remember right. I think FLA is 13 amps, something close to that. The tag is on the side against the beam... I have it dialed in pretty close, but need to put an amp meter on it to make sure my shift point is right. The motor you have should be fine as long as you don't exceed 2500 psi. Is it 3600 rpm? Use an amp meter to make sure. Set your shift pressure low and sneak up on it. Nice score on the cord! It should work great.
Yes, 3600 rpm...it's one of those 5hp air compressor specials. I had the shift point backed clear off to almost no spring pressure, still the same deal. I need to check the volts and amps...and the run capacitor. Here's a link to the build thread, so we don't keep mucking up Jon's thread... Hey buddy, will you give me a lift?
