Thread: New log splitter

Im looking into buying a new log splitter this year, and i just got a peak at the new rayco, w/ log lift and 4 way splitter , 25 ton, 13hp honda,,Is anyone familiar w/ this machine and how much it costs? What kind of machines are you all using out there,,,I'm pretty small time in the firewood business, probobally 20-30 cords a year....What do think would be the optimal type of splitter for myself?

A good place to learn about log splitters is www.northerntool.com

They sell a book how to build a log splitter.

I bought there book and built mine buying parts from them many years ago.

some key things to look at and learn about is the size ( diameter ) of the hydralic ram and what size pump ( GPM ) you'll need to make use of the size ram your using.

I went with a 4" dia. x 24" ram and a 16 gallon per minute pump, and a 8Hp engine. Its very fast and works great, but the 4" dia cylinder is a little week for big knotty pieces of firewood.

If I had to make a small living doing firewood, ( money not much of a concern ) I would have a 5" dia. cylinder and a 22 or 28 gpm pump.
Should mention that the only way to go is a two-stage pump, a single stage pump will be too slow.............

The diameter of the ram is your power and the size ( gpm ) of the pump is your speed of the ram.
Also you need the correct control valve ( for log splitters ) to make all this work safely and effeciantly.
Also, I run thin lightweight hydralic oil in the system to speed up things in cold weather.

go to this link and look it over, maybe get there catalog too.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ategoryId=1465


Good luck...................

If I was in the market for a new log splitter to split ~30 cords of wood a year, I would be looking for a good sized Honda engine, the log arm thing, and a 2 and 4 way wedge with the ram to adjust the 4 piece sizes.

Thanks for that link,,,,,I like the thirty ton, 13hp honda w / a 22gpm pump,,,, It seems nice, and it's nice it has the ability to place a slip on 4 way splitter.....

I am building my own right now.

11Hp Honda, 16 GPM pump 2 stage, massive cylinder.

This thing will split bowling balls, rocks and oh yes logs too.

You can probably find a splitter locally used and beef it up or modify it to your specs.

I just saw a pic of the new Rayco log splitter also. I have been looking heavily at the Timber Wolf TW-5, but I would like more info on the Rayco also.
I have a part time firewood business, and looking for a bigger splitter. Definately need the log lift.

Originally posted by ScottyStump


This thing will split bowling balls, rocks and oh yes logs too.

You can probably find a splitter locally used and beef it up or modify it to your specs.

A hot splitter! Cool!

I wanna see a V-eight!

Grandfather in law has one with a 4cylinder wisconsin and a 6 or 8 inch(not sure) but big ram off a dozer. 30 gpm pump. The frame is two I beams welded together side by side. Hydraulic log lift from either side. It works well.

I think building your own is the way to go if you want ultra heavy duty. John

http://www.timberwolfcorp.com/


I have the tw5 and a converoy from them. Well worth the money.

For tha average guy splitting wood to heat your home like me. When I started looking at splitters sold at the local farm supply I thought the bigger hp & tonage modles would be a must for me.
The 10 hp 33ton 4years ago was 1350.00. I wanted it real bad but I ended up buying the 5 hp 20 ton husky for 875.00 and have been very pleased with performance. No it does not have the log lift, but it does tilt up vertical. If you know where to start splitting there are very few chunks of wood that gets thrown to the side. I like mine very much.
For building a new homemade splitter there should be a formula to figure hp + ram size + pump 'gpm' = tons & ram speed.
Its only going to be as stronge as the weakest link. I would do a little research to make sure my parts match up to performance wanted or you could end up after much time and labor with performance no better than a 5hp 20 ton unit like mine.
IMO

I have looked at the Chomper processor, and it looks like a nice simple machine. I would go for it, but I buy low grade logs from some local mills.
Right now in my log yard, I have 8"- 10" cherry, and 18" - 26" maple and oak logs. Since my log dia. varies, The Chomper really wouldn`t work for me.
The pulp wood prices are really high here in PA where I live ( a local log yard is now paying $30 per ton), so I buy the junk logs at a decent price.
I am really leaning toward the Timber Wolf TW-5 with a 6 way wedge, log lift, and debris grate.
I also like the way the hitch is on the opposite end from the wedge.

Wood Hog

I'm gonna have to disagree with most of the rest of these people.

I like a log splitter with a 9 hp and 55 ton for myself, or one powered by the hydrolics of a tractor. But then again I do about 600 cord a year.

For the amount of wood you are splitting I'd be looking at the smaller sizes in the 5-5.5 hp and 20-30 ton range. It's all you need and they have plenty of power. (Either get a good new one or a good used one).

By the way, I never heard that there was a splitter with a big 13 hp engine that only delivers 25 ton. 13 hp is usually asociated with 60+ ton.