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Log Splitter advice
Posted by Lori S. at 2014-12-11 10:28:37
My parents are in their 70s and still heating with wood. My dad ends up splitting large logs by hand. I think it is time to modernize. Any recommendations out there for an economical log splitter? I know better to get something larger than needed but I don't want to break the bank. What about this one at Northern Tool?

Ironton Horizontal Electric Log Splitter — 5-Ton
This Ironton™ log splitter features a 15 Amp, 1 3/4 HP electric motor that delivers 5 tons of force, splitting logs up to 20 1/2in.L x 10in. dia. It features 0.6 gallon oil capacity, two-hand safety control, built-in log cradle and durable welded steel construction.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631753_200631753
Response by Paul at 2014-12-11 21:15:21
We heat with wood. I don't think you can get one with to much power. 35 ton, one that will go vertical and horizontal. If they are to large to pick up, flip it to vertical and roll them under the wedge. When you split dry hardwood and it pops like a gun with two chunks flying 15 feet away, you will be glad to have the extra power. Just my opinion.
Response by NoraWI at 2014-12-12 04:29:33
I wouldn't get an electric because that definitely limits where one can use it. A gas powered one with at least 22 tons of pressure plus the ability to change from horizontal to vertical should be perfect. And wheels so it can be moved easily. However, using a wood splitter should be a two person job for safety reasons, just like cutting down a tree should be done with someone else. Is there a second person who would be available to split wood with your father? Does your father WANT a wood splitter? Maybe he likes to split the wood by hand and enjoys the exercise it gives him. Never mind that he's in his 70s. If he is still splitting wood by hand, he must be in great physical shape!
Response by T Payne at 2014-12-12 04:38:40
My first reaction is, better make sure your folks actually want a machine to do the splitting. Maybe you already have.

I would be saddened, I have to say. I get a good deal of satisfaction from swinging the ax to put up the fuel that heats the house, the water, and cooks and bakes. If I wanted to "modernize", I would have chosen to do it already. But there would go the joy of the simplicity.

To me, a lovely gift would be a younger family member showing up to help, when I'm too old and slow to manage so well. I would understand, such is the world we've made for ourselves, that younger generations do not see the value of simplicity and engage the continuity of it's traditions, the heritage of rural living, and buy a machine instead ... but I would be quite sad about it, on the inside.

Merry Christmas!
Response by grandpafischer at 2014-12-12 05:23:20
I'm with Paul on this one Lori, there is a lot of time that I find my 28 ton struggling, but when I bought it that was as large as I could find. I also like the pivot feature. The electric ones that I have seen are meant for a table top, seemed underpowered to me. just my two cents worth, and worth less than that. Grandpa
Response by Billy Foster at 2014-12-12 05:46:29
I don’t know if he has a tractor? If he does I really like my splitter that mounts on the 3pt hitch. I can raise or lower it as needed and even put it right on the ground and roll a really big round onto it. The one you have pictured is pretty small, a splitter that is worth having is going to cost at least $1000, unless you find a good used one.
Response by Bill Smith at 2014-12-12 07:54:32
I bought a 27 ton, 5hp Honda powered Troybilt that was a return (leaky hose) at Lowes. I haven't run into anything it won't split and I burn a lot of Elm, which is a bear to split. A decent splitter is going to run you over a grand $$$. The electric ones I've seen don't inspire a lot of confidence.

I split a lot of wood, lots and lots and lots. I grew up with a maul and wedges. In decent ash, maple, popple, white birch, beech, oak an axe or maul is fine. In elm, yellow birch, twisted/knotty hard maple, etc a splitter is a life saver.
Response by Lori S. at 2014-12-12 08:59:31
After reading comments. I think I will get dad a nice wood splitting maul for Christmas. Yes he likes to do things the hard way and it does keep him in shape. I just worry about him doing all that work. I do try to get out most weekends to help with the ranch work. They run 30-40 broodmares so that means lots of fencing and trimming feet.
Response by NoraWI at 2014-12-12 10:28:41
Good choice, Lori! I hope your entire family has a fabulous holiday!
Response by Mptclinics in IL at 2014-12-12 10:29:09
I'll play devil's advocate here. We bought a very affordable, DR electric splitter several years back. Hubby hates the noise of fuel-powered, and splits most by hand. He too finds great satisfaction in swinging the ax. That being said, if something comes up, the DR has allowed the kids and I to do the splitting, or on days where he overdid it and is too sore to do a lot of ax swinging, the DR is a back-up. It probably gets less use and sits in storage more than anything else on our farm, which makes us thankful for the lower price tag. However, when we need it, it is very handy, and we are thankful for the purchase. Sure it has limitations (can only go where power cord allows, doesn't split some hard wood well, etc.), but it can keep us warm and we save the other items for better days.
Response by T Payne at 2014-12-12 13:19:07
Yay!!! :-)
Response by trevor at 2014-12-12 14:52:56
The one that you have showen looks small and very low to the ground. I think that it would cause more problems such as lower back pains and strained muscles than it would save from bending and straining to put logs on it to split. I think a good axe or maul and some help from family members would be better and a lot more apreciated.
Response by Lee in West Jefferson, N.C. at 2014-12-12 15:23:53
I split all my wood by hand using a single bit axe. It keeps me fit and gives me plenty of exercise. [Don't need any gym workout.] I am 77 yrs. old but I will admit there are times when I wish I had a wood splitter. Dr Field makes one that is gas powered with a large flywheel that is supposed to split faster than anything on the market and splits on the forward and also on the return stroke. If you get one, be careful. My older brother just lost the end of a finger by getting careless with his splitter.
Response by Klaus Karbaumer at 2014-12-12 19:05:28
In told people that I have an automatic wood splitter which works just fine. It picks up a log, puts it into the right position, and splits it in due time and afterwards even stacks the pieces. When I get the question where such a marvel is available I have to tell them that I can't be bought.
I like the physical exercise. I have to admit , though, that it is a lot more time consuming than a mechanical splitter.
Response by barw at 2014-12-12 19:57:04
I built my own splitter. It has a 40hp diesel engine and handling devise that will pick up large blocks and a rack for split processed wood. I can process 2 full cords per hour on a 1/4 gal. of fuel.
It can be towed with a quad, horse team or small tractor. It has plenty of power and will cut a old rail tie in half and split 36" dia. blocks.
Response by KC Fox at 2014-12-12 21:27:26
I built a wood splitter on a 4"x6" I beam it was to light & twisted and had the splitting wedge on the beam. The second one I built I put the splitting wedge on the end of the Hydraulic Cylinder and liked that alot better that way with big wood you don't have to pick up your log again, the vertical & Horizontal is very importan if you are cutting biger than 24" logs. We take the spliter to the tree so what we loag is already split, makes it easer for the kids to load. Just my thoughts on it have fun
Response by Floyd Trammell at 2014-12-14 19:55:46
There are many who would point out all dangers of a screw type splitter but, I love my Stickler. Fits my f250 diesel pickup and works great...oak, elm, pecan no problem, even splits knots and crotches. I'm going to change it to a three point for my fergie 35 as soon as I can find time. Just for convenience.
Response by T Payne at 2014-12-15 07:09:58
I split by hand, and one advantage I have noticed is, as the years go by, I use less and less fuel for accomplishing the same thing. Little things to do to improve efficiency are always available. These can add up and accrue into nice benefits. Not least of these is less aches and pains from splitting. :-)

Or looking at it another way, splitting by hand may encourage less wastefulness.
Response by Bill Smith at 2014-12-15 07:11:38
Ah, the Stickler. The mere mention of a Stickler on most sites brings up dozens of posts about the certain death and maiming that every poor soul who ever even looked at a Stickler has gone through. Limbs lost, eye's gouged out, orphaned children and widder mothers abound in these stories. And we know it's all true because the posters brothers mailmans wifes 2nd cousins neighbors hairdressers uncles best friends drinking buddy told him so! The only animal more feared than a Stickler is a buzz saw, the mere sight of which is guaranteed to cause at least one of your arms to fly off into the brush!

Yup, Sticklers work good. I've seen them on a hydraulic drive on a skid steer. Handy!

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