Splitter tonnage experience
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![[Hearth.com] Splitter tonnage experience](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/165/165998-0c276a8ca742e53995e28c69a93c7486.jpg?hash=iuS5ep07g3 "[Hearth.com] Splitter tonnage experience")
If you're looking for a cradle, I have this one and it's pretty darn good:
(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOG-SPLITTER-CRADLE-TABLE-THE-ULTIMATE-BACK-SAVER-/272035261060)
(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOG-SPLITTER-CRADLE-TABLE-THE-ULTIMATE-BACK-SAVER-/272035261060)
Having some experience with Split-fire machines I have been left impressed with the design and performance. Split-fire machines I've used from rental shops come without the log lifter. After using one for a day with the log lifter/cradle we all agreed we split more wood and weren't as tired/exhausted. Three guys, 1 supplier, 1splitting wood and running controls, 1 removing split wood and stacking. Large logs we lifted with cradle and the small ones the supplier stacked on cradle when it was in up position. The guy splitting wood grabbed the wood off the table whenever he needed. We switched up positions every couple hours.
684 plus tax for that cradle option blew me away at first. Sure there is a table, cylinder, hoses, and a second valve. That ebay deal looks like it is stationary and the shorter pieces might fall through?
Doug A (Post# 12 Nov 1st)
Well I got almost everything split that I had hoped to. I tried to edit the thread title but couldn't see how.
MY MISTAKE!! Who woulda guessed?
The rental guy showed me the on/off and the choke and said that was all that was needed and after I read begreen's reply, I checked the honda motor and the hydra pump to see if there was something I could do. OOPS. Seems the throttle was set at 2/3rds and when I moved it to full, the splitter had more guts. Still had trouble with some 24" Black Locust and some of the Y's I had set aside. It split most of it easily but the gnarly locust was still very slow, but it did make it through after a few attempts. We got big chunks stuck on the wedge 3 times and it took 5 min with a 6' pry bar to get it unstuck. Wedge moved fine but the wood was welded onto the wedge solid. I'll make sure I get a 27 hp or larger next time. My back is KILLING me and I need a stiff drink. Two days of splitting is not fun!
If we get a piece stuck to the wedge we simply throw a short piece on the opposite side of the knife and split it. The stuck piece just slips off. We have rented machines with chainsaw and axe marks all over them. LOL! As far as tonnage it has been rare that we ever get a piece stuck on the split-fire 20ton model. It all depends on the wood and the skill level of the operator.
Anyways, time to buy a machine(new/not abused). Rental houses are flipping these every couple years. How long realistically should a Split-fire last me? Sales guy at Split-fire are saying 10-20years+ .... 100 cords + ppl that borrow??? Love the log cradle but... other options/worth money?? They where also talking about a 3" knife extension for large pieces, 60 bucks on the 3255 unit.
Looking for advice from Split-fire owners + any advice welcome.
684 plus tax for that cradle option blew me away at first. Sure there is a table, cylinder, hoses, and a second valve. That ebay deal looks like it is stationary and the shorter pieces might fall through?
Doug A (Post# 12 Nov 1st)
Well I got almost everything split that I had hoped to. I tried to edit the thread title but couldn't see how.
MY MISTAKE!! Who woulda guessed?
The rental guy showed me the on/off and the choke and said that was all that was needed and after I read begreen's reply, I checked the honda motor and the hydra pump to see if there was something I could do. OOPS. Seems the throttle was set at 2/3rds and when I moved it to full, the splitter had more guts. Still had trouble with some 24" Black Locust and some of the Y's I had set aside. It split most of it easily but the gnarly locust was still very slow, but it did make it through after a few attempts. We got big chunks stuck on the wedge 3 times and it took 5 min with a 6' pry bar to get it unstuck. Wedge moved fine but the wood was welded onto the wedge solid. I'll make sure I get a 27 hp or larger next time. My back is KILLING me and I need a stiff drink. Two days of splitting is not fun!
If we get a piece stuck to the wedge we simply throw a short piece on the opposite side of the knife and split it. The stuck piece just slips off. We have rented machines with chainsaw and axe marks all over them. LOL! As far as tonnage it has been rare that we ever get a piece stuck on the split-fire 20ton model. It all depends on the wood and the skill level of the operator.
Anyways, time to buy a machine(new/not abused). Rental houses are flipping these every couple years. How long realistically should a Split-fire last me? Sales guy at Split-fire are saying 10-20years+ .... 100 cords + ppl that borrow??? Love the log cradle but... other options/worth money?? They where also talking about a 3" knife extension for large pieces, 60 bucks on the 3255 unit.
Looking for advice from Split-fire owners + any advice welcome.
JSeery
Feeling the Heat
Looks like that cradle requires drilling into the beam to install. Is that pretty difficult? I'm looking at a used Iron & Oak 26 ton on Craigslist, and if I pick that up I'll need a cradle. Not crazy about the Iron & Oak cradle design or price, so I'm looking at others that could fit.
I use an equipment ramp to roll the stuff I don't want to lift onto the splitter table. The ramparts top slips right into the slots in the table.
I don't know about the design, but I've never heard anything but good about the quality. I bought some wedges and other things from them, and they were very good.
I've just been using a couple of 5-gal. buckets filled with water and stacking one on the other, on the other side of the I-beam from where I'm standing, and use that as a table. It's usually pretty easy to shove the half over on top of the buckets while you work the other half.
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