Timberwolf TW-1 Log Splitter

I scored a new 10ga 100' RV cord for $50 for mine.

Pennies per day, literally.

 

I counted the cycle time and 12 seconds from fully retracted to fully extended. Dont know the maximum round length it'll split. Just asked the guy. Its standard 110 volt

 

how many hours do you run it daily? Weekly?

 

110 volt. What is the horsepower on that motor?

 

Just built it, so no record yet...but I typically make 5-6 cords/yr...just here n there, as I have time/opportunity.

 

What I wondered too...can't be too big...

 

I tried several times to attach his video and the link to FBM but it kept coming up as "no longer listed"

 

Exactly my thought. 110 volt , maybe you could switch to 220 but I can't see there being that much power there.

 

Which means its probably gonna be slow...or if its not too slow, then the power (tonnage) will be limited...but as I have said before, it doesn't take much to split 98% of the wood we get...that's why a lil 5 ton electric splitter is all some people need for personal use.

 

The Beaver only pushes 4 tons and it has split lots of wood !!!

 

That seems slow, full cycle would be 24 secs. Get that Timberwolf, take it to the scores with big wood.

 

Just a reminder Jeff...No matter how much he likes his splitter, this is a family site and this kind of talk will not be tolerated!!

 

well, I guess that depends if he takes the BLUE pill...

 

Hey, late to the party here but here's my two cents on the TW-P1. First, I bought mine around 2008 or 2009 (I think) and paid $2500 for the splitter, 4-way wedge and table grate. I've put a couple hundred cords through it and it's been pretty reliable. The issues that I've had include a broken 2-way valve handle (hit it with my tractor bucket), flat tires (replaced with run-flats), broken pull starter on Honda engine (replaced) and broke the 4-way wedge at least twice (re-welded both times). Also had to replace a part in the hydraulic valve as it was leaking pretty bad. Timberwolf got bought out, moved production and dropped the model a few years back, so parts and so forth are either DIY or unobtanium.

Why would I NOT buy this splitter again? It's too low to the ground and it hurts my back. Also, the table grate design is absolute crap and the stupid thing falls off the splitter due to vibration if I don't find some way to secure it. It's also slow, the cycle time is north of 12-14 seconds and it's frustrating to wait especially with smaller rounds. It is not an auto-cycle valve although you could replace it with one.

Used, 2 grand is a lot of coin unless the thing is in near-mint condition. Brad, based on all of your posts, how you cut and harvest, the size of the rounds and pieces you handle and how selective you are, I would absolutely skip the Timberwolf and look into a Supersplit as a long-term investment. The height, the speed, the big splitting table, all positives in my opinion. I got to watch an in-person demo of a Supersplit at a forest expo 20 years ago, and I should have bought it on the spot. I thought the $3000 they were asking was a bit steep, 20/20 hindsight says it would have been worth every penny.

 

I’ve had the tw-5 since about the same time. Have had some of the same repairs as you, but never have I had a complaint about reliability. Very capable machine. I agree that it sits a bit low to the ground. Haven’t had the issues with the grate but possibly the design is different between the two models. A common solution recommended on the forum for the height issue is to place it on ramps. Great idea if you’re gonna be stationary for the most part, but the added time of setup and desire to split on site wherever the wood is at have largely deterred me from doing this.
I also would love to have a supersplit. I deal with a lot of bigger stuff, and the Timberwolf works well at breaking down some of those bigger rounds I’d have to either saw down smaller or bust down with a splitting maul in order to then lift them onto the supersplit. I have looked at the current offerings from Timberwolf, and the quality is nowhere near the quality of the machines from the era that you and I bought ours from. Much more light weight!
I’m sure a lot of what I’m saying is redundant, but all in all, you’ve offered some really good input on this.

 

Could you not put larger tires to gain the extra height!

 

A solution i’d be more likely to implement if I were to do something.

 

In theory but it's only going to gain a couple inches at most, and it's a wheel and tire with a bearing and axle and a castle nut, rather than a bolt-pattern with lug nuts. So you can't go much bigger.

I could, if I wanted to set up semi-permanently, build a platform or use car ramps to get the splitter up off the ground another foot or so.

Reality is, I find breaking down big pieces with a saw, or a maul and wedges, to be more fun than trying to maneuver them whole onto a splitter beam.