Saw one of these the other day. 10 Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter The sticks get moved by hand to move a hydraulic plunger to split logs. Was wondering if anybody has used one. The specs say its a 10 ton unit it'll split a 6.5 inch log. Oline videos show people splitting 10 inch logs. My initial thought (guess) is that it isn't any better performing or less work than just using a good maul. I realize not everyone wants to swing one, but I don't have any problems doing that. If the above splitter isn't "better", how much of a motorized splitter would one need for just his own wood? I'm not there yet, but some day I may be old enough to find splitting a few cords of wood a year too much. Right now its just good exercise. Most of the wood I have and will split is pine (pretty easy), but I have also get given some free wood. The most difficult common local wood is cottonwood (not a great wood). The few pieces I've found to be more than i wanted to split with a maul certainly wouldn't pay for a machine.
those have been around along time- just consider it cardio vascular workout. A boss of mine had one. I think it lasted about one day with him. Add a treadmill to it and it might be worth it to a few.
That sounds about right, chris. I think smackin' wood with a maul has gotta more satisfying. I get my cardio on my bike.
I had one 15 years ago , used it once and turned it over to the kids. Slow and not easy as you would think.
Thanks for the feedback all. I'm quite convinced that if you want more than a maul for a splitter, then its better to get a powered one. The manual splitter will work for people who want/need an unpowered splitter and cant swing a maul.
For what you're doing, even an electric splitter would be a good option. All that manual splitter is, is a bottle jack with a wedge. Kinda like watching paint dry.
These do work and for me are a good addition to bust the pieces that are challenging to hand split. Manual Hydraulic Log Splitter- It Works
Well if Dave_in_abq would come back around… I’d tell him to hook up this splitter to a stationary bike with some pulleys and belts. Best of both worlds!
I've never used one. The design looks pretty straightforward but my hesitation from what I'm reading on their website would be the weight and the price. There doesn't appear to be any kind of wheel mount for it and it's listed as having a shipping weight of almost 100 pounds. That's a significant amount to be lugging around especially if the purpose was to save your back. Instead of sinking $150 into that- a powered splitter would be my recommendation. Wether you went electric or gas would be personal preference beyond that. Not ignoring the tail end of your post- sometimes swinging a maul just gets worn out. Pick up a 3 pound sledge perhaps and use that to start a wedge into the wood. You can get a good lead on getting the round to split with that and finish it off with the maul. Cuts down on some of the maul swinging. Good luck. If you do wind up getting it- I'd be interested to see how it works out for you. Update us if you do!
Pedal powered hydraulic hybrid splitter If you build it they will laugh (pedal powered wood splitter) - The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS
