New SpeedPro Kinetic Log Splitter from TSC...

[stumpy75]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/outdoor-power-equipment/log-splitters/

Edit: CORRECTED LINK....

I noticed at TSC, that they now list a Speeco Kinetic Log Splitter. Looks to be like a DR RapidFire Log Splitter, but I could not find anything on the Speeco page about it. Price isn't too bad either. I had not seen in on their site until today. My local TSC does not have one in stock.

Anyone know anything about this splitter?

 

[jeeptj19992001]

World's Fastest Log Splitter - DR RapidFire - YouTube

my bad different design the dr

 

[Pcoz88]

WOW?? Who else is going to come out with this type of log splitter?But which one to chose?!?!?!?!?!?!?:bang::bang:

 

[Dalmatian90]

Holy Cow!

Website is giving me a price of $1699 for the Speedco.

Whose been using this forum for market research?

I suspect this will all actually be good for SuperSplit -- between TSC & DR that exposes a lot more people to flywheel log splitters who've never heard of them before. Might lose a few sales from it, but a rising tide lifts all boats and I'd bet the original company will benefit if this style becomes more popular overall.

 

[Maplekid]

Super split just lost a sale. I was going to get the HD model this year after I sold enough wood to pay for one but at a grand cheaper I cant justify the super splitter. I might have to modify the handle so that it cycles with out you holding it. Thats why I was gettign the super split over the DR Rapid Fire. The price difference of the dr and ss werent enough to justify not getting auto cycle. Speedco is ovbiously paying attention to what people on arboristsite want. Next time I got to Tractor supply Im checking them out. Hopefully the local store stocks them soon.

 

[KiwiBro]

Cheaper AND with a "196cc" engine. I can see an after market self-transporting mod in the works already.

 

[William Balaska]

Looks decent. Definitely going to readjust what the other's are thinking.

 

[CWME]

Was going to get the DR model but now have pause to which one to get. The "two handed operation" looks like a major PITA. Push the green button and then push the lever. That would get old real quick.

At $600 savings over the DR model not sure if that two handed garbage is a deal breaker or not. The speeco can be towed and that would be a big plus.

Going to see if TSC has one to look at. I like the log cradle on the speeco. Hands are free of the moving parts.

 

[Mntn Man]

I was buying chainsaws after getting CAD. Lately, I have had a taste for guns. After just refurbing my Huskee, I don't need to see all of these new kinetic splitters coming on the market. I don't need one. I don't need one. I don't need one. Repeat after me.:bang:

 

[redoakneck]

I saw that thing when I was picking up some bar oil. They haven't sold any yet here, but looks pretty cool.

opcorn:

 

[sunfish]

Working height too low, with the table even lower.

Engagement leaver looks backwards.

Looks very lightly built. Not heavy duty!

Tow tongue all in the way.

This should help the sales of the other flywheel splitters.

I'll take the Super Split!

 

[wdchuck]

Working height too low, with the table even lower.

Engagement leaver looks backwards.

Looks very lightly built. Not heavy duty!

Tow tongue all in the way.

This should help the sales of the other flywheel splitters.

I'll take the Super Split!

What he said, plus lose the cradle. As the other SS users have mentioned, the wood sometimes, often needs to be split from outside in, unlike a hydraulic unit which can split through the center. The cradle becomes a hindrance in that situation.

I'll save my money for a SS.

 

[STLfirewood]

Not having to deal with the 2 handed operation is worth at least 1k for me. That would be a deal breaker. They must not use these before the sell them because that log cradle would be a big pain in the butt. When splitting with these types of splitter it is faster and easier on you to be able to slide the wood back to the beam. Lifting it on the cradle will really slow you down and wear you out. I give them credit for trying to make it towable. If I want to tow mine I just use a 4x8 tilt trailer. I would consider the DR before I would buy this one. I still favor the SS over both though. These things work and will outsplit a normal hydraulic hands down even with log cradle. You will have this machine for 20years spend a few extra dollars and get the good one.


Scott

 

[sunfish]

Well, somebody go out and buy one of these dang things, use it for a couple days. Then write up a detailed review and post it here, with lots of photos.

Lets get-er-done! :msp_smile:


P.S. Same with the DR...

 

[William Balaska]

I called Tractor supply in Nazerath PA today, they are not in yet but may arrive tomorrow and be on display by Wednesday. I have the chace to buy a 2 year old super splitter Heavy duty model and electric motor for two grand but it has no tow package and is powered by a two horse electric motr, not quite what I need, so I'm going to look at the speeco speedpro and make a decision. My nearly 20 year old 22 ton MTD is starting to tire after hundreds of cords and I have had it sixteed years, i'm ready to upgrade. Not one failure with my MTD!

 

[angelo c]

I called Tractor supply in Nazerath PA today, they are not in yet but may arrive tomorrow and be on display by Wednesday. I have the chace to buy a 2 year old super splitter Heavy duty model and electric motor for two grand but it has no tow package and is powered by a two horse electric motr, not quite what I need, so I'm going to look at the speeco speedpro and make a decision. My nearly 20 year old 22 ton MTD is starting to tire after hundreds of cords and I have had it sixteed years, i'm ready to upgrade. Not one failure with my MTD!

Bill,
No need for towing package, throw it in the back of any p/up truck. The electric motor comes in handy when you want to split IN the garage, IN the winter or any indoor use, like when its raining outside. You can easily convert back and forth from Gas to electric as its the belt that drives the flywheels and not really the motor( of course you need A motor but which one don't matter so much). Let me know if you want to have a go at a gas motor SS. I still owe you some time for that 66 carb rebuild. Hope your feeling better. Keep in touch.

2 g's aint that bad if its in good shape. I think I saw that on CL.

Did i hear GTG at Bills ???? hehe.


A

 

[epicklein22]

Amazing how the inertia splitters are popping up all of the sudden. The DR looks pretty good, but I'm content with my SS. We hammered out 5 cords with it yesterday in no time! Have 60 or so cords on in since last June. We don't baby it either, it is a tool and needs to perform and be tough. It has no problem doing that. My conveyor is the weak point of our setup.

There are definitely some things I would change on the SS (slightly taller wedge; larger sealed bearings (my freeze up quite a bit), stronger return springs, stronger front leg), but none of those things are that big of a deal and I could have that stuff fabbed up pretty easily.

If you want one of these splitters, go SS.

 

[goosegunner]

Saw one at TSC today, they have used it to demo but I did not see it in action. The table height is about the same as the Huskee/ Speeco hydraulic models.

It is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. The woman at the store said it is fast but doesn't handle knots too well Unless hit 2 or 3 times.

gg

 

[fox2]

Absolutely awesome

I just bought one today and joined the forum to share my experience. It is in fact huge and the tongue is in fact in the way but not a huge issue at all. It is almost or at 9 feet long. I actually went to TSC this morning with my brother who works there (we went halfs) to pick it up. I thought, at first inspection, it would be weak but it is actually not at all. It feels very heavy duty and actually weighs in at almost 600 pounds. The handle is in fact backwards. The two handed operation it very cumbersome but also makes the machine very safe to use. I am going to fab up an attacment handle that will bolt up to the original to make it forward facing while maintaining the original machine in its current condition (for warranty purposes) (should take less than 15 minutes with a welder and a tap set). Also, for all the skeptics, the safety button that makes it a two handed machine is the simplest of blocks. It can be disable in less than a minute with a zip tie. The benefit to that is that if someone perhaps is borrowing it (usually family) that you are a bit nervous about, then you can just cut the zip tie and it is back to a two handed operation. Obviously I do not advocate bypassing safety measures but I know it will be important to some
Now on to the important info:
This thing is powerful. I don't know why the nazereth attendant said it does not handle knotty pieces very well because it does. I ran it today about two hours and put everyuthing from 2" diameter (kinda tricky) to 28" diameter and it split it all with ease. I also wedged the 'v' section of a protruding limb on the wedge and it split with ease. All-in-all I would say this machine gets 5 stars. I cant obviously speak to long term durability yet but everything I have seen is absolutely fantastic. Keep in mind I have never used a gripo or super splitter, etc. I have however, used a ton of hydraulic splitters and this thing is awesome. I sprung for the 4 year protection plan for 269 (definately woth it) so even if it is not durable I'll get at least 5 years out of it. My personal opinion, I would not spend the extra buck for the other brands. this things does everything I though it would.
PS:
I am also going to make an extended (its a bit short) 4-way wedge to see how it handle the 4 way. When I do that (may be a week or more) I will post how that works perhaps.
If you have not, I would at least consider this machine and go take a look at one at your local TSC.

 

[CampHamp]

I saw he SpeedPro in action today at the TSC in here in southern New Hampshire. I arrived as they tried to start it for the first time after their assembly.

The two guys working there couldn't start it and it turned out that the gas line was kinked under the fuel tank (this was a factory assembly issue). Easy to fix. I waited. It started.

Now I've never seen any fly-wheel system before this, but the thing was wobbling as if the fly-wheels were not well-balanced. It wobbled the most as it wound down when turned off (like a clothes washer does when it's out-of-balance on the rinse cycle). It was still usable, but I didn't think there should be that much (if any) shaking. It was on pavement and this might have amplified the problem.

I liked that it came with the table and tow package (no extra $$$) and that the price was right, especially when you want these options (not even sure I would be able to tow the DR RapidFire around the property?).

They didn't have any logs, but they tried splitting stacked pieces of lumber :msp_thumbdn: (crappy test, but all they could do). It moves quickly and it obviously did not have any problem going through the boards. It made me think that the two-hand control is the right call with this equipment, for me. I don't see any reason to have hands on the log when you split for that 1 second (maybe I'm missing something :msp_confused. I'd feel better loaning this out to friends/family this way, too.

Anyway, they will assemble the second unit this week and see if it also totters. If I learn anything new, I will post again. I also want to see the DR machine before I make a decision, but I will buy something this fall.