genesis5521
ArboristSite Operative
I can't decide whether or not to take the plunge. I split only to sell. I sell about 12 cords a year, mostly split by hand and some from borrowed splitters. I could get more done if I had a splitter... not sure how to justify the $1300 or whatever to get one.
What convinced you?
You don't have to spend $1300. There are alternatives.
The first year I heated with wood, I split 5 full cords by hand. Then I bought a little Ryobi electric log splitter for $299 from Home Depot. Don't believe anyone badmouthing this nice little splitter. I split 10 cords a year with it now. Aside from a few really gnarly pieces, it's split everything I've thrown at it. And it's as reliable as dirt.
I built a table for it and a bench to hold the rounds. With my "system" I can split a face cord an hour, and the splits go right in to my trailer.
Here's a video of it splitting a 25" Maple round: 25" Maple log split by Ryobi log splitter...WOW! - YouTube
From another angle: Ryobi electric log splitter from Home Depot - YouTube
I have mine on a table, something like this: Ryobi Electric Log Splitter - YouTube
But I have another table opposite me to stack the rounds on and catch the splits. Without a table, the splits just fall on the ground like in this video: Ryobi Electric Log Splitter - YouTube
The table for my splitter looks more like this, but I have a second table that comes up to and is even with the yellow log cradle bars. I stack the rounds on this second table. This way I can just roll the rounds towards me and right on to the splitter, and this second table also catches the splits so I can re-split without bending over to pick up the splits. (I should post a video of me splitting.) RYOBI ELECTRIC LOGSPLITTER DEMO - YouTube
I work alone and can split about a face cord an hour. I figure a face cord is approximately 275 pieces. I can just look at a round and quickly determine how many pieces I'll get from it, which is generally 4. So I load enough rounds on the table to get 92 pieces. I do this 3 times to get a face cord (92 X 3 = 276). I figure a 15 second cycle time on the splitter. So 92 rounds split twice = 184 cycles X 15 seconds = 2760 seconds = 46 minutes. This is just the actual time spent splitting. Add around 15 minutes to load the table 3 time and I'm up to any hour. And it's not back breaking work.
If I were ever to get another splitter, I'd seriously consider the 20 ton PowerHorse dual action splitter for $949. Click here. Powerhorse Log Splitter Splits Logs In Both Directions - YouTube
This guy makes and sells a 4 way wedge for the 20 ton PowerHorse. Now this setup is pretty slick, and doesn't break the bank. Powerhorse log splitter with custom made dual 4-way wedge - YouTube
So, I've tried to give you a few relatively inexpensive options. And there are many more. Kinetic splitters are fast, but cost more.
Don <><
Last edited: