Running a splitter at half throttle

You'd think they'd all have a throttle, but mine doesn't.....at least not that I can find. Set the choke to start, then back that off once it's running and the thing runs at a full out gallop.
I think it was built back in the late 80's-early 90's.

 

1/2 to 3/4 throttle gives a nice splitting speed .

 

I borrowed one with a honda engine on it and it was the same way, no throttle.

 

I know I may be different than a lot of people, but I am a believer to run these small engines at full throttle, as long as the goveners are working properly to keep them from over revving. I think that it is important not to be lugging down the engine. Like on a bicycle it is easyer to pedal fast in a lower gear than it is to pedal slow in a higher gear when doing work.

 

One heck of a splitter there campinspecter ! I like your technique for freeing the picking dog!

 

I have always ran full throttle and never gave it a thought. May have to alter my habit now.
As far as splitting power goes, theoretically engine speed should make no difference as long as it is fast enough to cover the loses. Engine speed would be related to cylinder travel speed (flow). Pressure is related to spitting power. So you should have the same splitting power at lower speed than full throttle just a slower travel speed. Higher engine speed moves more oil and the oil you are not using to do work is just dumping over a relief valve creating more heat in the oil.

 

I just purchased a NorthStar 37 ton log splitter with a Honda GX270 engine. The throttle is connected to an actuator that sits behind the wedge. When the wedge moves forward, the motor runs up to full speed. When the wedge comes all the way back, it slows the motor to idle speed. I never have to manually adjust the engine speed.

 

I run my 27 ton Ariens at 1/2 throttle or maybe a little more. Only time I run it wide open is when I'm "splitting" something awful like sycamore or elm.

 

Our Yard Machine 25 ton with 6hp Briggs doesn't have a throttle either. The new County Line with 9.5 Kohler does and it runs more rpms than the older one. Lot faster cycle time too.

 

I run mine full at all times. One splitter has well over 1000 cords through it and the other one has an hour meter which is reading around 250 hours on it. Give me full speed and full power full time!

 

Mine sees about 2/3 all the time. Typically 6 cord per season but the last 3 have been about 12-13 each. Rarely ever rev it to full.