fast splitter.. anyone use this type of splitter?

[woodsmaster]

Just heard the other day of a guy who had one and returned it. Not sure If it was the same brand but it was the same style.
He said it was great for the easy splitting stuff, but sucked on the Knotty stuff. He said the wood wouldn't split and would get stuck on the wedge. He then had to use a sledge hammer and pry bar to get it off. He said it was a real pain in the a$$.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I just watched that video again, or at least part of it. Just have to laugh watching the guy and I guarantee he was working twice as hard as I do when splitting wood. Nuff said there. For sure there will be followers and I have no problem with that but why do they always have to sound like they are defending the machine? Must be because so many really do not like the looks of how they work and it appears many also do not like the price.

 

[Wallyworld]

3 guys can't keep up with my Super Split, whether its better than any other kind of splitter I don't know but I know its a simple mechanism and I inherited the one my dad bought 25 years ago. I've replaced cam followers on the carriage, the motor, a cheap Briggs has been replaced, BTW its 3.5 hp and will run for hours on a tank of gas. It came with an electric motor on it and still split well.Greased the pillow blocks, replaced the belt once(in its life). I'll guarantee its split some of the gnarliest red oak you've ever seen, also some of the biggest diameter oak you've ever seen. Some of which we had to split with a maul and wedges as we couldn't lift it whole. It won't split every piece in one shot, you just pull the lever again, seeing as the cycle time is 2 secs or so, you can hit quite a few times and still be ahead of a hydraulic unit.
If production is what you're after, you can get it with a SS.

 

[JeffT]

3 guys can't keep up with my Super Split, whether its better than any other kind of splitter I don't know but I know its a simple mechanism and I inherited the one my dad bought 25 years ago. I've replaced cam followers on the carriage, the motor, a cheap Briggs has been replaced, BTW its 3.5 hp and will run for hours on a tank of gas. It came with an electric motor on it and still split well.Greased the pillow blocks, replaced the belt once(in its life). I'll guarantee its split some of the gnarliest red oak you've ever seen, also some of the biggest diameter oak you've ever seen. Some of which we had to split with a maul and wedges as we couldn't lift it whole. It won't split every piece in one shot, you just pull the lever again, seeing as the cycle time is 2 secs or so, you can hit quite a few times and still be ahead of a hydraulic unit.
If production is what you're after, you can get it with a SS.

Wally I have not used one personality but have friends that do and they say the same thing.If you don't think it will split a gnarly piece of wood you are mistaken.

 

[wkpoor]

This thread is exactly the reason for GTGs. Everbody has a different idea about something. Getting everyone together in the same place irons out the misconceptions about machines and practices. A splitter GTG would allow people to truely see what machines can do what and what methods are best for different people. I've held mini GTGs with splitters but a SS was never there. So I can't really comment on them.

 

[ClassicSWC]

The video was impressive... to a point. Unless you are a world class weight lifter, can you keep up with that machine for an hour or two or four to make it worthwhile? Sorry, I never bought into the "I need a .375 Superwhizzbangmangleum" when a .30-30 does the job just as well. Heck, I guess if you really wanted to be fast, pile your rounds on a few sticks of dynamite. That'll do the trick. LOL Not that I'm an expert, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[3fordasho]

A few comments that a single person can't keep up with the super split.. I don't care. My hydralic can't keep up with me and that's the problem. My only concern with the SS is will it split the wood that "I" need to process... Still need to find one local and try it out. I still have not found a video of one splitting american elm. I don't need it to split a ugly knarly elm knot, but it needs to handlle 12-18" american elm rounds.

 

[Dune]

Went to a Super Splitter demo yesterday.
Machine: dragged from the woods behind defunct tree service. No guards. Wedge crudely welded so as to be twice as tall. No table. Motor from junk snow blower.

Motor: 5 hp missing recoil and air cleaner. Choke inoperative. Started by rolling splitter flywheel.

Operator: Short, overweight and dirty. A regular Cape Cod dunebilly. (no, it wasn't me. I am tall, overweight and dirty)

Operation; After vigorously rolling the flywheel, one mild curse, one shot of ether, a few more rolls and she's running. Select a fair size red oak round.

Casualy balance round on slide with one hand, pull lever with other hand.
Quickly grab remainder of round, reposition, pull handle.

Splitter does work very well and IS INDEED FAST. My issue with this is that the speed of the machine somehow prompts the operator to try to keep up, as witnessed in the OP vid.

Commentary of operator; " see I am not standing here waiting (hand motions indicating activation of hydraulic valve) ..... then waiting for it to retract...(hand motions indicate reversal of piston).

"You should build one of these" (he has seen my electric mega splitter, yes it is slow, but I use it for stuff his toy couldn't touch, the stuff he is spltting I do with the fiskars)
I countered with Countryboys comments about too much machine work, easier to buy hydraulic components (?) ( Country Boy is right about this anyhow, not that I agree with him in general)

And, (in reponse to my comment that it must work well with two people running it (sorry sisterhood, I told you he was a dunebilly) "I don't let her run it. (turns to wife..."you would lose these running that..(holds out fingers) " I don't let her run any machinery (as she drops a couple buds into the electric coffee grinder) ..."what are you making for dinner tonight?" Wife, "give me some money and I'll decide when I get to the store."

 

[andybaker]

Does seem to work fast. I couldn't have though. I need the verticle option also. Often I get huge rounds that there is no way I could lift them.

 

[Wallyworld]

Why would a machine make me keep up with it? I go at my pace which as time has gone on is slower and slower. I don't spend all day splitting wood. I split some, pile some and I'm done until another day. I rarely spend more than few hours doing wood on any given day. I don't find it enjoyable, its a chore that has to get done, best done in small increments, I have to go to work the next day and I can't be broken
As far as parts are concerned I'm in rural maine and I can find parts, If I can anyone can.

 

[richg]

I'd rate it as an epic failure. He's only splitting rounds that can be lifted onto a splitting table which negates a lot of the stuff you pick up in scrounging. He lets go some splits that are so big you'd need a white phosphorous grenade to get them to light. He's moving at a speed that can't be maintained for long and is clearly made for a video. "Vince with slap chop here, you're gonna be in a great mood all day cause you're gonna be slappin your troubles away".

 

[wkpoor]

Some guys want speed and some don't. I think most of the splitters on the market are a tad on the sow side which is why I did my own. It is possible to have a hydraulic splitter that will approach the SS speed but still have power to get through the narlies. Mine is close to 4sec full cycle time with oil up to temp but I don't have to run it that way. If I'm feeling energetic sure or if I'm getting tired I just throttle back to a pace I'm comfortable with.

 

[3fordasho]

I'd rate it as an epic failure. He's only splitting rounds that can be lifted onto a splitting table which negates a lot of the stuff you pick up in scrounging. He lets go some splits that are so big you'd need a white phosphorous grenade to get them to light. He's moving at a speed that can't be maintained for long and is clearly made for a video. "Vince with slap chop here, you're gonna be in a great mood all day cause you're gonna be slappin your troubles away".

I have a horizontal/vertical splitter. 99.5% of the time it's in the horizontal mode. The few times I've used it vertically it was very un-ergonomic.. ie a pain to use.
I'd rather noodle those large rounds to liftable sizes.

 

[Hogwildz]

I used to run A SuperSplitter all the time in the 80's when I worked for a landscaper. He was a dealer and rented the one we had out on occasion.
The S.S. will blow the doors off a hydraulic any day of the week as far as speed and production. It is fast, very fast., especially if you run it all the time and have the experience using it behind you. I would go as far to say it would even give a hydraulic with a 4way competition, it is that fast.
I did come across a few I had to repeat cycle through to get it through, and I have also gone through that with the hydraulic also.
It is very sippy on gas. As far as needing two ppl, you don't but sure two always makes things nicer. If I had the cash, I would buy one I like them myself that much. But I don't, so I bought my neighbor's hydraulic one.
I am happy with what I have and the price was right.
As far as the operator trying to keep up, that is absurd IMO. It only engages as fast as you pull the handle, so if you can't coordinate one hand with the other in what your doing, you have other problems, or simply this may not be the machine for you.
I have used the S.S., hydraulics, and electrics, and if I had the money, I would be all over the S.S.
That's just me, other have their own preferences.
As far the the redneck with the beat up one, I myself would make it right before I used it.
If you have used it and don't like it, that is cool, as everyone knows what works best for them, and different folks like different things.

 

[ScotO]

i agree with Hogwildz....I have never used one, but I know I would love to be able to afford one. I could bust up the giant rounds small enough with my maul to put them on that table. I would love the speed factor, and the fact that it is frugal on gas consumption. I just can't drop that kind of jingle on one. I particularly like this one. Hell, it's only ONE HORSEPOWER!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFeR8Qlkrfg&feature=related

 

[Hogwildz]

i agree with Hogwildz....I have never used one, but I know I would love to be able to afford one. I could bust up the giant rounds small enough with my maul to put them on that table. I would love the speed factor, and the fact that it is frugal on gas consumption. I just can't drop that kind of jingle on one. I particularly like this one. Hell, it's only ONE HORSEPOWER!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFeR8Qlkrfg&feature=related

LMAO, and the plus side is you get some added free fuel nuggets at the end of the conveyor belt in a nice tidy pile.

 

[Lumber-Jack]

i agree with Hogwildz....I have never used one, but I know I would love to be able to afford one. I could bust up the giant rounds small enough with my maul to put them on that table. I would love the speed factor, and the fact that it is frugal on gas consumption. I just can't drop that kind of jingle on one. I particularly like this one. Hell, it's only ONE HORSEPOWER!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFeR8Qlkrfg&feature=related

That was great! It needs to be posted in The Green Room.

 

[wkpoor]

I'd rate it as an epic failure. He's only splitting rounds that can be lifted onto a splitting table which negates a lot of the stuff you pick up in scrounging. He lets go some splits that are so big you'd need a white phosphorous grenade to get them to light. He's moving at a speed that can't be maintained for long and is clearly made for a video. "Vince with slap chop here, you're gonna be in a great mood all day cause you're gonna be slappin your troubles away".

I have a horizontal/vertical splitter. 99.5% of the time it's in the horizontal mode. The few times I've used it vertically it was very un-ergonomic.. ie a pain to use.
I'd rather noodle those large rounds to liftable sizes.

Finally someone who agrees with me. +1

 

[wkpoor]

I used to run A SuperSplitter all the time in the 80's when I worked for a landscaper. He was a dealer and rented the one we had out on occasion.
The S.S. will blow the doors off a hydraulic any day of the week as far as speed and production. It is fast, very fast., especially if you run it all the time and have the experience using it behind you. I would go as far to say it would even give a hydraulic with a 4way competition, it is that fast.
I did come across a few I had to repeat cycle through to get it through, and I have also gone through that with the hydraulic also.
It is very sippy on gas. As far as needing two ppl, you don't but sure two always makes things nicer. If I had the cash, I would buy one I like them myself that much. But I don't, so I bought my neighbor's hydraulic one.
I am happy with what I have and the price was right.
As far as the operator trying to keep up, that is absurd IMO. It only engages as fast as you pull the handle, so if you can't coordinate one hand with the other in what your doing, you have other problems, or simply this may not be the machine for you.
I have used the S.S., hydraulics, and electrics, and if I had the money, I would be all over the S.S.
That's just me, other have their own preferences.
As far the the redneck with the beat up one, I myself would make it right before I used it.
If you have used it and don't like it, that is cool, as everyone knows what works best for them, and different folks like different things.

People who sell firewood say they like to have an SS and a hydraulic. Both have their place.

 

[ScotO]

People who sell firewood say they like to have an SS and a hydraulic. Both have their place.

I agree 100%. Already have the hydraulic, now if I could just talk the wife into letting me buy the SS....... ;-)

 

[ScotO]

i agree with Hogwildz....I have never used one, but I know I would love to be able to afford one. I could bust up the giant rounds small enough with my maul to put them on that table. I would love the speed factor, and the fact that it is frugal on gas consumption. I just can't drop that kind of jingle on one. I particularly like this one. Hell, it's only ONE HORSEPOWER!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFeR8Qlkrfg&feature=related

That was great! It needs to be posted in The Green Room.

I may buy a draft or Belgian, and one of those treadmills.....I can think of dozens of uses for it.......lol.....

 

[tymbee]

Wasn't at all impressed with the video myself (what's up with wobbly table ??) but in reading some of the favorable reviews from those with first hand experience I'll keep an open mind accept that if it works for you, that's all that counts.

BUT the one big "flaw" IMO is something that I didn't see anyone else mention. Having spent hundreds of hours operating hydraulic splitters where the the ram pushes the wood through a wedge (the type seen in the video) and the other type where the wood is stationary and the splitting wedge is on the end of the ram itself, I'm of the opinion that the latter kind (splitting wedge on the end of the ram) is MUCH preferable.

With the wood moving through the splitting wedge, you have to retrieve each and every piece that needs a finer split. Easy to see what an effort was required to do this in the footage. Multiply that by the amount of wood being split and the time/effort is not insignificant.

Must be especially inefficient when the wedge gets stuck. You'd have to either wrestle or pound it off, or push it through with another piece ending up with even more effort required to retrieve and resplit.

If the wood is stationary and the ram does the splitting, no stuck pieces. Or rather if it does stick, the return action pulls it free. Large pieces that need to be resplit just flop over (in my case on the log tray) and all you need to do is roll them back in position to split.

But hey, if sheer speed is you thing and you have wood as straight as shown here and a couple of energetic workers to streamline the workflow, I bet this thing kicks butt.

 

[tymbee]

Wasn't at all impressed with the video myself

Ok, of I may reply to my own reply, here's one of several videos which make a much better case for this splitter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V95e-sMQTL8

I stand by my previous comments, but to me at least it's now more clear in this and some of the other videos out there where those with favorable reviews are coming from.

 

[wkpoor]

That is another vid showing a SS splitting what looks to be very easy to split wood. Not knocking the SS at all I just want to see or use it for myself on the stuff I split. With my hydraulic running at 4 sec cycle time and possibly not a full stroke needed to split that kind of wood I'm most likely that fast myself. But I am burning more fuel to do it.

 

[Dune]

No doubt the table makes a big difference. Without the table the operator puts a lot of energy into coraling the unsplit part of the round.