In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

After All These Years; HYDRAULICS!

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Ralphie Boy, May 26, 2017.

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  1. Ralphie Boy

    Ralphie Boy

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    After years of splitting by hand I broke down and purchased a splitter. Couldn't afford anything fancy, just a County Line 25 ton from Tractor Supply. So far I've abused it pretty good by splitting some 50+" ash rounds. :whistle:It was quite the job to get them close enough to split. I've run it about 3 hours and split more wood than I could have split in 3 days by hand. Money well spent I think.
    View attachment 127348

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    Last edited by a moderator: May 26, 2017
    Ralphie Boy, May 26, 2017
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  2. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    Yep, quite the investment.... :thumbs:
     
    Chvymn99, May 26, 2017
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  3. mirnldi

    mirnldi

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    Life is easier with hydraulics


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    mirnldi, May 26, 2017
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  4. chris

    chris

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    weekend sale brute splitter at Menards 699 after rebate( mail in -not their 11% merchandise garbage)
     
    chris, May 26, 2017
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  5. Stephiedoll

    Stephiedoll

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    I wish I could double like it.:banana::rootintootin::dancer:Good choice and I'm sure you will like it.
     
    Stephiedoll, May 26, 2017
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  6. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Ya don't anything fancy ,but hay it's a fancier than a maul :)
    Even with Hydraulics there's no easy firewood :saw::tree::axe::stacke:
    Hydraulics does a body good :thumbs:
     
    HDRock, May 26, 2017
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  7. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    You will absolutely love that machine! I see you've already mastered the right way to split; vertically!

    In the future, you might consider doing like we do. We cut then just sort of stack up the rounds until spring then bring out the splitter and do all the splitting at one time. Having the wood close to the splitter like this makes it really quick and easy work. In the third picture, when it gets to this point it is quick and easy to just move the splitter ahead and go back at it. In the last picture you can see I mounted a boat wheel on the tongue for easy moving.

    Getting ready to split 2012.JPG Getting ready2 2015.JPG Split-2010a.JPG Split pile 2015-b.JPG
     
    Backwoods Savage, May 27, 2017
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  8. Mag Craft

    Mag Craft

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    Your joints will thank you in the years to come. Congrats on the splitter and 25 ton is pretty good in my book.
     
    Mag Craft, May 27, 2017
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  9. Ralphie Boy

    Ralphie Boy

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    Just a few days into it so I'm still a rookie. But I've begun the search for the perfect crate!

    Sounds like a good plan to stack rounds then split everything at one time. Here in Northern Kentucky summer temperatures regularly reach 95 degrees or more so I don' do a lot of firewood work in the summer. The cooler fall temperatures sounds like a good time to split, stack and beat the heat.

    I may make some rounds this coming week but then the following week we're off on our bicycle trip so nothing will happen for a while.

    There will be a lot of noodling coming up because the last load dropped by the tree service is huge ash and oak logs. The only way to safely get them in position for splitting is to quarter them.

    As always Dennis, thanks for the pointers they will be quite usefull. :thumbs:
     
    Ralphie Boy, May 27, 2017
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  10. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Ralphie, I really hope your trip turns out to be your best ever.

    On the splitting, another reason we split in spring is that cutting in the winter and then trying to split gets tough because the hydraulic pump does not shut off so as you are trying to start that engine, you are cranking some stiff oil and it is hard. So we usually split in March/April. Don't like doing much wood work in the summer months as it is just too darned hot and too many flying and crawling insects.
     
    Backwoods Savage, May 27, 2017
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  11. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Nice splitter Ralphie Boy :thumbs:
    Have a great biking road trip and check in with us if ya can while y'all are out on the road; would love to some pics:yes:
     
    Eric VW, May 27, 2017
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  12. Horkn

    Horkn

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    If you have not tried to split horizontally, you should. Both ways of splitting have their pros and cons. However, I'll say that most times I split horizontally, as I can do it faster and easier than vertically.

    Having hydraulics will really help get the work done easily, with minimal wear on your body.
     
    Horkn, May 27, 2017
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  13. Mag Craft

    Mag Craft

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    Yes I split all my wood with it horizontal also.
     
    Mag Craft, May 27, 2017
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  14. Hammy

    Hammy

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    Very nice splitter!
     
    Hammy, May 28, 2017
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  15. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

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    That 25 tons is all you will ever need.
    Congratulations on your new toy tool!
     
    TurboDiesel, May 28, 2017
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  16. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    Great new firewood tool score. Hydro's were a stipulation for me, my dad hand split every round and I learned from his experience.

    +1 on horizontal. Tried vert and it was more of a struggle for me to position rounds down low. If I get something heavy, my son helps lift or it gets noodled in 1/2 by the saw.
     
    The Wood Wolverine, May 28, 2017
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  17. chris

    chris

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    I have filled 8 cubic yard containers noodling in one afternoon. I start with the 084 and work my way down chainsaw size to splitter size.
     
    chris, May 28, 2017
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  18. Gpsfool

    Gpsfool

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    Ralphie Boy,
    I got jealous so I went and got me one of them splitters from TSC yesterday - same model. She works nice. Split everything I threw at it so far. In 45 min it equaled what would have taken me two good evening "after work" sessions with my Fiskars and maul/wedge.

    Cheers!
     
    Gpsfool, May 29, 2017
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  19. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Congrats on the splitter bud :thumbs: have fun :axe:you'll love it :stacke:
     
    HDRock, May 30, 2017
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  20. mikeward

    mikeward

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    Ralphie Boy congrats on the splitter. Best way to go!
    I split by hand for years. Often split and burnt within a day or two.

    I started stockpiling wood and thenrenting a splitter over the weekend.
    Well it was asses and elbows for the whole weekend so I could get the most done for the Money spent on the splitter.
    I could hardly move for the next several days.
    Fifteen years ago broke down and bought a splitter from TSC.
    Best thing I ever did. I started pacing myself with my splitting. No longer the rush to get so much done in a few days!
    I now work on a quota system where I split a certain amount and then take a break but keep at it every day.

    Now I split right onto a pallet move pallet with tractor.
    When I found the other forum and read what Backwoods Savage wrote about a three year plan everything clicked and I worked hard to implement it.
    I have over 30 cord split and really enjoy splitting. If I stopped now I could make it into my '70s burning. I'm 67 now.

    Two things made a great difference for me
    Getting a splitter and Backwoods Savage and his advice on a three year plan
    Best of luck to you
     
    mikeward, May 30, 2017
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