whotheguy said:
I'm thinking of buying a splitter. However I would like to know if you all think the splitting production would go up. I've only split using a maul, nothing else. I can do just under two cords a day but wondering if I could run a splitter and do more.
So, you splitter guys, how much can you do in splitting session? Your session can be 1 hour or 8, doesn't matter as I can calculate from your experience.
Also, if I'm looking for a splitter I would rather stay away from the manual jack thing. What would you all recommend based on your trials and errors.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Robert
Robert, again there are some qualifications. It is not a case of how much one person can split per hour because as in hand splitting, everyone does not have the same abilities. Therefore it is difficult to compare the way you ask. The only way you could compare is by splitting a few cords, say 3, by hand and then attempt to get the same amount of wood of the same type and size and split with a splitter.
There are those who claim they can split by hand faster than with a splitter. I've never seen this happen (and doubt I ever will) but have read several claims. Now it might be possible if someone made that claim and then did both himself. Perhaps he has good technique with a maul or axe and poor technique using the splitter. So what good would be the comparison then?
Methinks also some might be comparing this way: Splitting with a maul just where the block sits thereby gaining the time it would take to put is onto a splitting block and then using the splitter in the horizontal position. I can see there where it could be possible.
However, once a person learns how to split with a splitter, his production goes up a lot; probably doubles. The same with someone just starting out splitting by hand. There is a lot of wasted effort and time until he learns the proper way....and it does take time working with many different types of wood.
Another point; last spring, for example, I split 9 cords of wood. I did not keep track of how long it took as I never set out to do the whole job at once. I work as long as I can and then stop until I am able to do more. Some days that might mean 1/2 hour and other days it might mean 3 hours. I do not hurry and never plan to.
This brings up the last point which is if a person is hurrying to split wood, he is only asking for some problems. People get hurt when they hurry and when they are tired. Splitting wood does not have to be dangerous...but it certainly can be! Therefore, it is not a competition.
We do not do what we do so we can say I'm faster than so-and-so or to tell how much we can do in a day or an hour or such. There is a certain amount of wood you need to put up every year. If you want to save some time and energy, you get a hydraulic splitter. If you want a physical workout or cannot afford a splitter, do it by hand.
If I go to the market looking for a splitter, the only thing I am concerned with is that it is built well, will it split what I need splitting and can it split vertically. Comparing cycle times is meaningless unless you are talking about some of those super slow things that some farmers try to use with their tractors. I've seen many and you would stand around a lot waiting for the ram to cycle. The higher ton splitters cycle faster but my little 20 ton does plenty fast for me. Cycle time does not mean a lot if you don't use the whole cycle. In other words, why use a 21" stoke when at times a 4-5" stoke works just fine? Technique.
So Robert, if you want to split your wood faster and with less effort, get yourself a splitter (I recommend nothing smaller than 20 ton) that will split in both horizontal and vertical. Learn how to do it right in the vertical position for the fastest and easiest method of splitting.
) can't keep up with it.
