Afffordable 6-ton Electric splitter

[elkimmeg]

I have previously critiqued the 4-ton Ryobi electric splitter. As 4- tons electric splitters, go the Ryobi is the best in the 4- ton class.
Capacity wise it will take a 12 " round up to 20" in length. Home Depot $299 Today's Boston Sunday Globe Grossman's Bargin
Outlet is advertising a 6-ton electric splitter $245. I am planning to test it out and wite a review criquiting it. I mean 50% more splitting capacity than the Ryobi and about $55 less. I have plenty of oak rounds here to test the manufactures claims.

(broken link removed)

 

[carpniels]

Hi Elk,

Please keep us all informed. Cannot wait for your objective comparison review.

Carpniels

 

[elkimmeg]

I think it best to explain knowing how to use a tool and knowing it limitations, one has the best amount of success. Lets face it 6 tons splitter is not going to split a knarly log down the middle. By examining the log’s grain and splitting of a reasonable split, I split some nasty difficult logs.

The Iron Horse brand 6-ton Electric splitter:
Setup is, attach the front handle and rear wheels takes less than 10 minutes. Most of the time getting the correct wench or socket
Its cradle will fit a 20” long log. It claims to be able to split up to 10 plus inches, if my metric conversion is right. I actually split an 14” by 18 “ log. Again if one works around the perimeter first and it will split larger logs. It requires both levers to be pulled down to activate the hydraulic piston. As I mentioned earlier, the cradle will take a 20” length. But the piston or ram travels only 14.75 “ My solution when splitting 16” or less lengths was to insert a 4/4 as a spacer in front of the ram plate. The ram travel is about 5” short of contacting the splitting wedge. This is common in a lot of splitters, Many times the log will split and pieces drop off. Using the 4/4 ensures the shorter log makes it threw the wedge. Last night I split a third to half cord with it. Engineering wise, the 4-ton Ryobi
Is better Raw splitting power the 6-ton wins. Price wise the $55 less makes it an attractive choice. At first, I was not all that impressed. But as I worked it, and learned its characteristics, I is not bad, it does the job it is supposed to do. Speed wise, I think the Ryobi cycles faster. When it encounters a log it will not split, it will automatically shut down the Hydraulics. One has to hit the on off button to re set it. Not a bad safety feature,
It protects the system from an overload. The more you work with it the better your routine. Over all not bad. I will split an entire cord and try it a few more times and add to this demo


BTW It will be selling in the market place or I am able to return it up to 30 days. I asked up front what if I find out it will not handle the logs I have? The store told me I can return it with the register reciet up till 30 days. Is it better than my 16- ram splitter no way. Apples and Apples comparison is not fair, the Ram Splitter cost 3 time the 6-ton splitter

 

[velvetfoot]

Thanks for the review!

 

[elkimmeg]

When it stopped raining last week, I split some more oak logs. I have to say this splitter did the job it was advertised to do. For $250 not a bad way to go.With a 30 day return policy you are protected better than Ebay auction purchases. I have seen a 7 ton electric splitters on Ebay. I contacted the sellers and asked if I could demo it and report my findings. ( never took the time to e-mail me back). The Guy at Ramsplitter, is real glad he sold one of his splitters to me. This site, garden web and google search engines turn up my assesments and led to 50 plus sales.
Still the best electric splitter on the market.

This morning I returned my splitter to Grossman's Bargin outlet on RT 1 Walpole MA. Anyone that looking for a bargin it's there.
Though slightly used. It works perfect.. All that feel it was unfair for me to use it and return it. I asked up front what if I find out it does not handle what I have to split? They told me with my receit there was a 30 day return policy I brought a 10"/18" American Rock Elm round with me, just in case I had to prove my point. I did not need to use it.

summary Not bad even better buying it slightly used

 

[michael]

Was that a sale price ELK?

I called our local store and the price was $289.

 

[elkimmeg]

Grossmans had the 15% off so it was about 245 if near walpole ma I bleieve they were selling a slightly used one for about $200. Ivf you loint their buyers club you get 10% off coupon on any purchase. Really, it was not bad, I finally split a cord of oak. If I did not have my other one I would consider it a keeper

 

[wahoowad]

Elkster, have you seen that Iron Horse for sale anywhere else (even if it had a different name)??? I googled it and don't see an iron horse brand log splitter.

 

[elkimmeg]

It is another one of the cheaper 6/7 ton Chineese models. In fact all intergrated hydraulics and electeric are made in china
including the DR splitter and the ones offered on Ebay all simmilar

 

[wahoowad]

any known brand names shared by this unit? I don't have a Grosman's - sort of stuck with Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply and Northern Tool. There might be a Harbor Freight in the next big city. I'd be interested in finding this exact unit since you have reviewed it.

 

[michael]

Grossmans had the 15% off so it was about 245 if near walpole ma I bleieve they were selling a slightly used one for about $200. Ivf you loint their buyers club you get 10% off coupon on any purchase. Really, it was not bad, I finally split a cord of oak. If I did not have my other one I would consider it a keeper

Thanks for the heads up ELK.

I'm in Ohio near Columbus, so MA is a long drive to save a couple of bucks. I am intersted in the buyer club. Was it free? I don't frequent Grossmans, so I probably don't want to "buy" into some club.

Thanks for the write up. I'm probably going to purchase one tomorrow. I have about 4 cords to split at this time and my back tells me I can't do it this year. I'm way behind this year with only about a cord stacked. I usually burn about 4 cords a year.

Any tips for a super fast season on this wood