Speeco SpeedPro splitter

[Sethsfirewood]

I am looking to increase my output on the splitting end of my business. Anyone have one of these Speeco kinetic splitters? they look pretty sweet on Youtube.

Any pros and cons? Can it split the real nasty stuff or is for more straight grain stuff?

Durability?

Where can I find one; dealer or TSC? Unfortunately, the internet seems to be filled with dead ends. I saw one thread where someone said it was discontinued.

Any advice or direction would be appreciated.

 

[sunfish]

Big thread down the page a few threads;

http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/180355.htm

 

[ChopperDan]

My Super Split will go through anything I put on the table. With twisted stuff it cuts across the grain more than it splits.

 

[sunfish]

My Super Split will go through anything I put on the table. With twisted stuff it cuts across the grain more than it splits.

Yep, mine too. I split a cord today and half of it was pretty nasty stuff. :msp_smile:

 

[Dogsout]

Not ever having owned one OR ran one I give you my impression of it. I too have watched the Utube videos and all of the ones I have seen they are pretty much just splitting basketball size or smaller straight grained rounds. Sure it plows right through these but I have a hard time believing that you throw a chunk of elm on there and you would get the same results. You have two posters so far giving you a favorable opinion on this machine and I have no reason to doubt their claims. Still I am having a hard time seeing this plow through some really tough non straight grained wood. The one thing I can comment on is on all most every video that I watched they are splitting small enough rounds that if you have a OWB you don't even mess with these. (They go in to the ODW whole) And any way you slice it with out some form of modification or help you are NOT going to split any thing big for sure.(can't get them up to the splitter)This machine is probably the best thing since sliced bread but if you can not yet tell by my post I am not sold on them and will gladly keep chugging along with my ole 35 ton Speeco hydraulic splitter.

 

[Como]

I have the DR and it has split everything I can lift, anything bigger and I will need a crane to get it up there.

I cut a lot of my stuff to 24" and have made the mistake of not taking into account weight on the bigger diameters so they now get cut to 18"

The tray is essential, the smaller stuff I might have 3 pieces to hand, the larger stuff you need space to keep it on the table whilst you whittle it down. I prefer larger diameters, one big lift is better than lots of multiple ones. And I can split faster than I can cut.

Straight grain stuff often pops so you do not even need the 3 seconds, I have some smaller stuff where the grain seems to spiral, not friendly.

Worst case is that you need to smack it twice, but that is pretty infrequent.

The slow point is moving the wood from the pile to the table. I now work through my pile engine first moving the machine as I progress. I prefer working with the engine to my right so I adjust my direction accordingly. I leave a trail of split wood 4ft or so wide and 4ft high.

Improvements, picking up wood, not sure what they can do about that.

 

[21ACREWOODS]

kenitic splitters are where it's at

If its too big to pick up.....take your saw and quarter it down. After all, after an hour of splitting with a kinetic you've already saved a half hour if hydraulics is your other option. Dr has some on sale at an awesome price and they guaruntee theirs to split anything you can put on for 2 years, even used commercially. These splitters will likely phase out hydraulic splitters some day. You'll always have guys who will keep the hydros based on "safety"..........on second thought, maybe not. I don't think anyone still uses a cross buck saw commercially or for their own use wood. I'm sure at the introduction of the "chainsaw" there were many who said they were ridiculously unsafe.

 

[sunfish]

I've been cuttin, splitting, selling and heating with wood since 1977.

The Super Split is by far the best piece of equipment I've ever owned or used to process firewood!

 

[Como]

If its too big to pick up.....take your saw and quarter it down. After all, after an hour of splitting with a kinetic you've already saved a half hour if hydraulics is your other option. Dr has some on sale at an awesome price and they guaruntee theirs to split anything you can put on for 2 years, even used commercially. These splitters will likely phase out hydraulic splitters some day. You'll always have guys who will keep the hydros based on "safety"..........on second thought, maybe not. I don't think anyone still uses a cross buck saw commercially or for their own use wood. I'm sure at the introduction of the "chainsaw" there were many who said they were ridiculously unsafe.

Famous last words but I would say the chainsaw is more dangerous than the splitter.

Lift wood to table, hold with flat of left hand in position, operate ram, let go as soon as the ram bites , whilst turning to pick up next piece to repeat. Longer to type than do.

 

[Sethsfirewood]

thanks everyone...i think i'm definitely gonna look into one. are there dealer which sell them or do i have to go through tsc or the company directly. it's a pain finding any real pricing on these things.

anyone have a website of easy reference?

 

[TreePointer]

I thought SpeeCo had a problem with these and pulled the SpeedPro splitter until further notice. As far as I can tell, it hasn't returned to the SpeeCo website.

 

[blades]

Yes, They did/do, You will find at the beginning of this thread.

 

[Sethsfirewood]

I guess my main objective is to go to kinetic from hydraulic. I see it as a way to take my business to the next level. With the time it could save, I could not only increase my profitability, but get me more quality time with the family.

I threw out the name of the Speeco, but I probably could swing the DR unit as well. Same questions for that unit.

Sorry if this content is redundant, but sifting through 51 pages of the previous thread on the forum is just too much for me at this point.

Any problems with the DR? Durability? Pricing? Are there dealers or do I have to go directly through the company?

 

[D&B Mack]

Speeco's are discontinued.

I have the DR Rapid Fire.

I would suggest buying the Super Split.

If you get a lot of big rounds, you will want a hydraulic too. As a firewood business, I'm sure you are not keen on too much noodling. Having a hydraulic around for the heavy knotty pieces and the really large rounds is well worth it. Split them down to a manageable size and run the balance through the SS.

 

[blades]

Super split US made, Got a problem ya talk to the real deal.

DR splitter, knock off of SS, Asian sourced, got problem, dealing with corp. conglomerate.

Your choice

Production does not increase if ya got wait for boat from the other side of the Pacific for a part.

 

[Jules083]

Yeah, the Speeco is discontinued because there are junk, plain and simple. I had one, lasted about a month. Took it back and got a full refund. If you find a used one for sale don't pay more than scrap value, because that's all it's worth.

If you really want kenetic, get a Supersplit. I did, and love it. There still has yet to be a round it hasn't split.

Log Splitter, Wood Splitter - Super Split(R)

 

[sunfish]

I guess my main objective is to go to kinetic from hydraulic. I see it as a way to take my business to the next level. With the time it could save, I could not only increase my profitability, but get me more quality time with the family.

I threw out the name of the Speeco, but I probably could swing the DR unit as well. Same questions for that unit.

Sorry if this content is redundant, but sifting through 51 pages of the previous thread on the forum is just too much for me at this point.

Any problems with the DR? Durability? Pricing? Are there dealers or do I have to go directly through the company?

Forget the copies! Go to the Super Split site get the phone # and talk to Paul, the man that builds the machine. When I ordered mine, it took 2 weeks and $200 to get it to Missouri.

The Speed Pro was a POS Chinese Copy, now discontinued. The DR is better, but still a lesser quality Copy. DR thread at the top of the page and doesn't look too good towards the end...

 

[Sethsfirewood]

is that the J-model or the heavy duty edition? i would assume the heavy duty would be more appropriate for commercial use? I split and sell at least 30 cords a year, but with this machine, I would want to double that amount. I'm all for buying American too.

Do i just order online? I would love to get a look at one before purchase. Are there retailers or dealers I can visit?

 

[Jules083]

is that the J-model or the heavy duty edition? i would assume the heavy duty would be more appropriate for commercial use? I split and sell at least 30 cords a year, but with this machine, I would want to double that amount. I'm all for buying American too.

Do i just order online? I would love to get a look at one before purchase. Are there retailers or dealers I can visit?

I have the J model, it's been fine. Talk to Paul, he knows these splitters better than any of us. I can't remember all of the differences, but I believe all of the 'hard parts' are the same. I think the HD comes with a bigger motor and added bearings on the ram.

You have to order online, there are no dealers. It is well made, there's no issue that you're going to run into. You could take a drive up there if you were inclined. Should be do-able in a day round trip for you.

 

[sunfish]

is that the J-model or the heavy duty edition? i would assume the heavy duty would be more appropriate for commercial use? I split and sell at least 30 cords a year, but with this machine, I would want to double that amount. I'm all for buying American too.

Do i just order online? I would love to get a look at one before purchase. Are there retailers or dealers I can visit?

I got the J model and split between 15-20 cords a year. I'd get the HD for commercial use. No dealers for these, you have to order from Super Split. You can do it on line, or call.

I bought mine sight unseen and could not be more pleased with this machine! I saw one of these in use back around 2001 and knew I'd have to have one at some point. A friend and myself were visiting a blacksmith who also had a very larger firewood operation. We helped him split and load a cord in well under an hour, probably closer to 30 minutes. Two of us stacking, him running the SS and a helper loading rounds. I question him in length about the splitter and he said he got rid of his two hydro units and had been using the SS for close to 10 years. If I remember right, he said he sold around 200 cards a year and had one full-time guy and a part-time guy. I was sold!