Advice on towable log splitter

This is not really urgent as I have over 30 cub m of dry firewood sitting in various sheds but I've decided to buy a decent log splitter. I have had access in the past to two reasonable splitters but both options are now gone :( My hunting mate recently gave me a decent size gum on his old family farm that needs cutting up after being blown down. My older son's new house is getting close to ready and it'll have two fires so I don't want to turn down such good firewood, although I do have heaps of over-mature macro trees on our life sentence block.

Anyway, I've decided I need (?want) the following features:
- public road towability
- at least a 10hp motor
- at least 15 ton of ram power
- a pump of at least 15 gals/min capacity
- a cycle time of less than 10secs, pref less
- a vertical format or possibly both vert/horiz

I can't be bothered thinking about having one constructed so it comes down to available commercial models.
What are people's experiences here?

If you think you might end up dealing with reasonable diameter (heavy) rings I'd suggest getting one with a ring lifter.

I've used both vertical and horizontal and find the horizontal to work really well, especially with the ring lifter as you roll the heavy ring onto the lifter, then its lifted in the position it need to be in to be split - rather than needing to be rolled over if being split vertically (hope that makes sense).

the very best Ive used..had these features
leg with step on bottom than came up level with table top,so you dont do the lifting,
foot pedal to make ram drop down,it comes up on its own as soon as pedal is left alone
big oil reservoir

reading ring lifter comment above..we rolled rings onto step..they lifted up making the ring now flat..so orientated correctly to be split..advantage of foot pedal is both hands on the block...

The Daytech models are good, they have a ringlifter and are towable
The only thing I can think of to watch out for is checking the height of your garage entrance to see they will fit (if you are putting it in a garage)

https://daytech.co.nz/products/wood-splitters/
also this one looks the same
https://www.timbersaws.co.nz/category/1055-timbersaws

Yeh, forgot to add a ringlifter to the needs list, had thought of that.

I used both horiz and vert machines and somewhat prefer the vertical. No biggie.

I've already talked to Daytech, Forestquip and Brent Smith, the latter being the most expensive.

The Forestquip one is an Aussie made Superaxe 3150 and has the advantage of a low mast:
https://www.forestquip.co.nz/product...eraxe-ws3150-9
Can also be had with the bigger 13hp Honda

Comments on whether the bigger motor is worthwhile?

I'd go with the bigger motor myself - no other reason than it should be working to less than the same amount of the smaller unit to achieve the same results???

You mention you have access to a big gum tree. That immediately puts you in the "I need more power' category. If you let it dry out instead of drop/ring/split in quick succession, it'll gobble up power as it can be a bastard to split if each ring is dry.

I have a double ender horozontal splitter run on the 3 point linkage of my 110hp tractor. It does a cube in 15-20 minutes. But it does not have a ring lifter, which I will now admit is a mistake.

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Originally Posted by XR500

You mention you have access to a big gum tree. That immediately puts you in the "I need more power' category. If you let it dry out instead of drop/ring/split in quick succession, it'll gobble up power as it can be a bastard to split if each ring is dry.

I have a double ender horozontal splitter run on the 3 point linkage of my 110hp tractor. It does a cube in 15-20 minutes. But it does not have a ring lifter, which I will now admit is a mistake.

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"Double ender"... You're just boasting now.

Some of that gum is an utter mongrel, wet or dry. A screw splitter is one answer, half each round with the screw and it seems that it's much easier after that (lets the tension holding it in one piece off I guess). Screw splitters take a lot less power than a wedge type, but a lot messier and ragged.

Yeh, that gum is half dried out and it looks to have twisty grain so could well be a total bastard. I'm going to have to saw the bottom rings into quarters to make them handle-able. The first couple of metres are maybe a metre diam, possibly more. I may well have to nibble the edges/ring layers away rather than down the guts.

More hp
Larger ram capacity
2 speed pump
Vertical
Ring lifter

I hire a Brent Smith log splitter with a ring lifter the last couple times, would'nt use one with out the log lifter now.
good machine, its set up for health and safety got to have both hands on level to get up down to work, easy to change if it was your own machine
Log Splitters - Brent Smith Trailers

Same control system by the sound of it as the Superaxe. Easily bridged to make it one handed

Theres a fella in Mayfeild that makes a pretty decent splitter. Fully towable, lifter, heavy duty on everything. Steel and Wood - find him on Fakebook

I've hired a Split-Fire wood spliter which impressed me as it would cut wood on both strokes.

Being in the Hydraulics trade I would suggest its going to be cheaper to buy a production model, unless you can do it yourself.
You can buy kits with a Cylinder, Pump, Valve, etc then possibly add a tank, petrol engine, bell housing and drive couplers.
Once it assembled you still need to get the hoses done.
Z

Yeh, I see multiple listings of engine/pump combos but as you say, there are no economics in this unless you have the fabrication skills and gear.

Ive built a few splitters. And converted a horizontal one to a vertical with a table etc.

You certainly can get carried away if you want all the gizmo's. ( like lifters, conveyer, etc)

The hydraulics are the expensive part. You also need a good sized hydro tank and filters both sides of the pump. The more hydro oil the better as it performs better when its warm rather than hot.

Anything engineering is expensive these days unfortunately.

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Originally Posted by ZQLewis

I've hired a Split-Fire wood spliter which impressed me as it would cut wood on both strokes. Z

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Yeah, mine is a 3403. Beast of a thing. Needs three people to get the most out of it, as it produces copious amounts of split wood quickly. One loading it, one purely on the valve and one removing the split wood.

You need a conveyer Simon. They are bloody good at moving bulk wood quickly onto a trailer etc.

We just park the 1000L pod baskets next to the splitter and fill them. each hold a cube, and last two weeks in winter. They stay out in the paddock for 6 months in the sun and wind, then we round them up with the 3 point linkage forks on the back of the tractor and back them into their very own spot behind the house, right next to the rear door. Have finally minimised the number of times we actually move each piece of firewood by hand to 3. .:thumbsup:

Yeah good. Does it dry good in the pods?? Do you modify them to accept the firewood??

I’ve used most of the ones listed here already and the link below is the one my dad uses for his business. It’s a beast. The others don’t compare.
They’ll also quite often knock the GST off for folding stuff.

https://www.troughmobile.com/product...woodsplitters/

We also dry hired one of these for $70 an hour. 110 cube split in one day.

https://youtu.be/dyBQxv9mjMc?si=xdDFzf-hS_jvR2Kq

Do the maths on that if there is a group of families doing wood together. Amazing piece of engineering. One hour of splitting is the average households wood done for the year.

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Originally Posted by McNotty

I’ve used most of the ones listed here already and the link below is the one my dad uses for his business. It’s a beast. The others don’t compare.
They’ll also quite often knock the GST off for folding stuff.

https://www.troughmobile.com/product...woodsplitters/

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That's some serious coin they want for those!!! Really only a commercial outfit could afford one of those.

@XR500 are you talking about the standard splitter or the Mahoe processor?

The Pierce splitter is cheaper than the Levin Sawmakers and I’d say the same cost as the Daytech splitter.

Well, having done adequate research and talked to various makers and users, I've decided to run with the Big Mutha as McNotty suggested. The maker is a real up-front guy, the exact sort you want to deal with. It's a no-compromise machine that I'm sure will do the job.

The price is the same as a smaller 9hp Daytech.

I have been holding myself back commenting!
I'm on my 3rd horizontal splitter and this will be the last.
First one was a brent Smith 13hp.
I have pretty well much copied but improved with bigger bench and longer tow bar for ease of backing.
I'm running an American 22gpm pump prince control valve and on its third motor.
It is paired to the perfect sized ram for speed and power, the same size as the brent smith which has a large spear for quick return.
I have never worried about a lifter as my stihl Chainsaws really rip well with out clogging so every thing gets made into at worst a two person lift.
I have used the verticals and safe they are fast they are not.
My three boys came out on a fund raiser firewood job and started on the flash vertical one.
Way to slow dad!
Got the trusty horizontal going.
We have a 5 cube caged tipper truck that we can fill with 2 people in an hour as we do quite a bit of commercial wood of the farm.
My dream would be that mahoe in the video as seen it at the fieldays for quite a few years.
Simple but good!
At 62 I think a bit of lifting and manual labour' won't kill me!
I might one day put a lifter on but you won't catch me turning into a vertical man!

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Originally Posted by 6x47

Well, having done adequate research and talked to various makers and users, I've decided to run with the Big Mutha as McNotty suggested. The maker is a real up-front guy, the exact sort you want to deal with. It's a no-compromise machine that I'm sure will do the job.

The price is the same as a smaller 9hp Daytech.

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Nice mate. That was one of the stand out things for dad as well. Just straight up no bullshit guy.

The independent suspension is a game changer as well. Very cool design.

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Originally Posted by andyanimal31

I have been holding myself back commenting!
I'm on my 3rd horizontal splitter and this will be the last.
First one was a brent Smith 13hp.
I have pretty well much copied but improved with bigger bench and longer tow bar for ease of backing.
I'm running an American 22gpm pump prince control valve and on its third motor.
It is paired to the perfect sized ram for speed and power, the same size as the brent smith which has a large spear for quick return.
I have never worried about a lifter as my stihl Chainsaws really rip well with out clogging so every thing gets made into at worst a two person lift.
I have used the verticals and safe they are fast they are not.
My three boys came out on a fund raiser firewood job and started on the flash vertical one.
Way to slow dad!
Got the trusty horizontal going.
We have a 5 cube caged tipper truck that we can fill with 2 people in an hour as we do quite a bit of commercial wood of the farm.
My dream would be that mahoe in the video as seen it at the fieldays for quite a few years.
Simple but good!
At 62 I think a bit of lifting and manual labour' won't kill me!
I might one day put a lifter on but you won't catch me turning into a vertical man!

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

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The only thing about the Mahoe was the waste. It wasn’t like it was at the bottoms of the piles either, it was spread all the way through. The amount of time spent throwing out slivers/kindling that wasn’t suitable to customers as we were losing out of paddock was huge. We thought we may have been operating it wrong but even the piles the owner did on the first day had the same amount. Could probably do with an improved sorting system at end of conveyor. I imagine the very 1m plus rings don’t help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by andyanimal31

...
At 62 I think a bit of lifting and manual labour' won't kill me!
..
Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

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Well I'm 66 and not heavily built. I'm def not afraid of hard work but the last thing I want is shagging my back lifting big rings. Sure I can hack them up with the big saw but it's an extra step I'd like to avoid.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 6x47

Well I'm 66 and not heavily built. I'm def not afraid of hard work but the last thing I want is shagging my back lifting big rings. Sure I can hack them up with the big saw but it's an extra step I'd like to avoid.

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I been a fencer all my life so naturally got strong back weak mind.
To be fair if you got amassive ring on the splitter once its in I half it's two big halves.
It's really quick to rip them with good clearing saws and a bit of super chipper chain.
Pretty much the same result time wise.
In saying that if the knife going in and out your making money.
Takes a bit of time lifting and positioning those big fucking rings.
Some times my 56 inch bar on gum isn't long enough so I have to do a heap of ripping anyway.

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Originally Posted by tac a1

Yeah good. Does it dry good in the pods?? Do you modify them to accept the firewood??

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Yep. Just whip off the two retaining straps on top of the pod, remove the plastic inner and Voila! a light, strong, ventilated pod that holds a fortnight's worth of firewood.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by McNotty

@XR500 are you talking about the standard splitter or the Mahoe processor?

The Pierce splitter is cheaper than the Levin Sawmakers and I’d say the same cost as the Daytech splitter.

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The one for twelve and a half grand.

My Splitfire was only 3.5 grand a few years ago. I see they are now 5.5K. Then again I already have the 110hp tractor to run it off.:thumbsup:

Attachment 249912
Just have to put it together

I aqppreciate we are getting to the end of winter but i am seriously looking at all these models that are out on the market and its confusing. Has any one got any experience of the Easy Quip ones sold on the interwebby thing or the yellow site?. Seems his pipes run in curves and not right angles which makes sense in in not toturing the flow of oil unnecessarily. Everyone seems to say 20 t 35 t 45 t 50 t and there appears to be little difference however whats the experience out there from you guys? My worst wood would be knotty Macrocarpa, willow and good ol pine (albeit knotty too). Again its an expense that I am prepared to go to but I want to do the right purchase. And yes a log lifter is on the spec sheet. Got too many back injuries to not that advantage of hydralic power LOL

I hire one of these they are awesome splitter ripps through big oldman pine easy as.
4.5 cube in 2.5 hours.
When we had a big splitter made a few years back the engineer told me this 10T, 20T ram is a load of crap it's all to do with the pump and flow, so I was told.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d5d5240a8f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...12349aa8fb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1d0ca2fc33.jpg

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Correct me if I'm wrong but most hydraulic pumps run at approx 3000psi.
So then the variables are gpm and how big your cylinder is that the oil is pushing against.
So mine is a 22gpm pump that runs at that volume until it hits resistance and drops the flow back but uses all the 3000psi available.
The ram is a specific wood splitting ram so has a large spear that makes it retract faster as needs less oil volume to return it.
2 people can do 5 cube per 1 1/4 hours consistently if all the ringing done.
I have a chainsaw and firewood fetish and have done alot of commercial in the past.
Mine is a horizontal with out a lifter as still reckon faster ripping big blocks down so the Mrs can lift them!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by andyanimal31

Correct me if I'm wrong but most hydraulic pumps run at approx 3000psi.
So then the variables are gpm and how big your cylinder is that the oil is pushing against.
So mine is a 22gpm pump that runs at that volume until it hits resistance and drops the flow back but uses all the 3000psi available.
The ram is a specific wood splitting ram so has a large spear that makes it retract faster as needs less oil volume to return it.
2 people can do 5 cube per 1 1/4 hours consistently if all the ringing done.
I have a chainsaw and firewood fetish and have done alot of commercial in the past.
Mine is a horizontal with out a lifter as still reckon faster ripping big blocks down so the Mrs can lift them!

Sent from my SM-A556E using Tapatalk

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Going to need a photo now big boy ;)

Will see what I can find!

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Tonnage is a theoretical calc based on surface area of the piston inside the ram against pressure (at max load the flow into the piston is virtually nil if the system's relief circuit is set correctly). GPM is a good thing for moving the piston in and out quickly, but it's the surface area for the oil to push against at max pressure that does the work for you.

Somewhere on Dr Google is a spec sheet and calculator thingy that will give you the piston force in tonnage for a set pressure. As someone up there noted, the actual tonnage rating of the ram is kind of indifferent as it is only one factor amongst many that make up a good splitter machine.