Thread: Wood Splitting

Hello All - now for a change of topic . . .

Currently I burn mostly Macrocarpa - real knarly stuff which can be pretty tough to split. At the present I'm using a beam type hydraulic splitter on my 85 HP tractor (which is only at idle hence burning very little fuel, but the hour meter is ticking so the depreciation is certainly costing).

In the near future I'll probably have to switch to Beech or plantation Eucalypt, both of which are a bit easier to split, but only when fresh.

I process for about 3 or 4 families, so we're doing 40-50 cubic metres per year.

Since I'm running a 2.5 tonne excavator as part of my business I've been thinking about splitting with it - operating costs are about half that of the tractor, and I think it will save a lot of back work - wear and tear on the body by splitting straight onto the trailer . . . and much reduced lifting of rings.

So - excavator splitter's, anybody using or tried one - whats most efficient, hydraulic beam type or screw/cone type?? Any thoughts?? A commercial cone type looks to be quite a big investment whereas I can build my own beam splitter.

Anyone running a cone on a auger drive like an auger-torque?

Thanks
Foster