Small Splitter works surprisingly well

[fsr4538]

My wife felt sorry for me having to swing the maul to split all my wood. (Well truth be told, I had a very mild heart attack back in October and she is scared. I feel great by the way) Without telling me she ordered me a 5 ton Homelite Electric Splitter. I did not have the heart to tell her that I really want the gas one. Well, I received it on Wednesday and have used it this weekend to split about a cord of wood (Oak, Cherry, Hickory and Pine.) It is splita all but the big, many branched pine and a couple of crotches. I am surprised that is works as well as it does. The instructions stated that a 10 inch log was the limit. Well, I can say that it split 18 inch oak and cherry just fine.

I staked up 6 pallets and am using them as a splitter table. It puts it at just the right height.

Just thought that I would share the surprise.

Forrest

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Forrest, you have a wonderful wife who is looking out for you. With hearth problems it can be difficult swinging the axe or maul and the splitter is a big help. You also did well by raising the splitter and I hope this works out good for you.

 

[maxed_out]

+1, nice setup. Let us know how it goes.

 

[thinkxingu]

I really liked my electric splitter--if it wasn't for some of the big, knotty oaks I get scrounging and the $500 HD deal, I'd still be using it. Good luck with it, and don't forget to open the wingnut seal each time!

S

 

[Kenster]

I've been interested in a good, electric splitter for some time. I enjoy swinging my ten pound maul and my Fiskars SS. I need the exercise but sometimes I wish I had some back-up. I am loathe to spend $2000 on a hydraulic splitter because it goes against my code of heating my home at little to no expense, other than chain saw gasoline. And it's hard to justify a $2000 splitter when we only burn a cord and a half, or so, each year.
I'd be interested in knowing how people use the electric splitters. Can they be set in both vertical and horizontal mode? I'm trying to picture why and how Forrest stacked up six pallets to help him. To what end?

What is the cycle time for each split? Does it take, for example, one full minute to split a round in half? Thus two minutes to quarter a round? That would be terribly time consuming.

I don't mean to hijack Forrest's thread but would like to more about the use of the electric splitters.

Ken

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

I actually bought one 2 months ago. It is Homelite but exactly like the Ryobi, I mean identical! A friend and his brother have been using the Ruobi for several years and no issues. I have spit about 3 cord of 20" Oak, Cherry and Walnut, mostly Oak. All various stages of dryness. It has ripped through all with virtually no strain! I have had some issue with some knotted stuff but I let go of controls and and go a different way about it.

The cycle time is 20 seconds from the manual but I read somewhere, I think Home Depot site, it was 13 seconds. So it is somewhere in between. The reason for the pallets is you have to run it horizontal and level! You will know when it is not level. It will make some strange noises. Well, the reason for the pallets is because it is very low to the ground and you must squat or bend over. I really like mine and will use it until I get my FREE 25ton splitter a fellow has no use for anymore. I will use the Homelite to make kindling but for 250 bux you can't beat it!

 

[Kenster]

Horizontal only is kind of a bummer. Is that the case with all electrics?

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

Haven't the faintest clue! I know I split some of the rounds by hand and it sucked.....alot! So I bought this and it sucks waaaaaaaaaaaaaay less! Like I say for 250bux you can't go wrong!

 

[smokinj]

This could be a option for alot of folks!

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

I will certainly be used this week as I have just received a call from a friend who told me he scored me about 6-10 truck loads (dodge dakota) of oak and cherry cut but not split. The wife will think I am crazy but I will be ahead several years with this score, no doubt! I will have to get more pallets....and a bigger truck!

 

[jimosufan]

i have the 5 ton homelite also. Keep your hand on lever for the hydrolics but release the power button, and only release enough pressure to fit the log, then split. if its stuff you can grab 1 handed. Or quartering a round . works great

 

[blades]

Kenster, short answer, no. long any splitter design can be powered either gas or electric or alternatives. as long as the pump can be spun to the proper rpm and maintain that rpm under load. There are a couple of the smaller tonnage ( 4-7) ones that work in a semi vertical plane (on an angle)

 

[GatorDL55]

I really liked my electric splitter--if it wasn't for some of the big, knotty oaks I get scrounging and the $500 HD deal, I'd still be using it. Good luck with it, and don't forget to open the wingnut seal each time!

S

What was the $500 HD deal?

 

[fsr4538]

The reason for the pallets is that the machine itself is only about 10 inches off the ground. I knew that I would not like to squat in any way for any amount of time. Six pallets stack up to just waist high for me. So the splitter is now actually positioned so that I can simply reach for the controls. It is actually easier on my back than the gas/hydro splitter that I rented last year as that one was low. It is horizontal only but that seems to be not problem I prefer to split horizontal even with a gas/hydro.

 

[fsr4538]

Horizontal only is kind of a bummer. Is that the case with all electrics?

I have seen electrics that are both vertical and horizontal. The site sponsor here sells such a model.

 

[Exmasonite]

I really liked my electric splitter--if it wasn't for some of the big, knotty oaks I get scrounging and the $500 HD deal, I'd still be using it. Good luck with it, and don't forget to open the wingnut seal each time!

S

What was the $500 HD deal?

Yes! Please elaborate!

 

[thinkxingu]

It was actually $429, but there were none nearby so it cost me $100 in shipping: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/57409/

S