First off, the hydro unit cycle times in the video you are referring to are consistent with a machine equipped with a two-stage pump. It has a two-stage, and it is still slow by comparison. They are using a Swisher 34 ton model, 12.5 HP, two stage pump. Cycle times are either 22 seconds or eighteen seconds. They seem to be available with either 11gpm two-stage pump or a 13gpm two-stage pump, thus the difference in cycle times advertised.
Here is a link with basic specs on the unit they are using.
Swisher Electric Start 34 Ton Log Splitter | Bass Pro Shops
The fastest widely available hydro splitters have a cycle time of 8-9 seconds. Compared to a DR Rapidfire or a Super Split that is slow in a very real way. Why don't you get us some specs on your 20 year old MTD. What is your pump flow? What size cylinder and rod? What do you guess the cycle time is? I'm guessing that it will be slower than you think it is. That does not make it a bad splitter, or even mean you need a different one. Just some basic facts that you have no provided.
Much of what you are talking about is a workflow issue more than a splitter issue anyway. Your examples cannot be broken down to a hydro vs. kinetic debate for a few simple reasons.
Not everyone works with bigger rounds.
Not everyone with a hydro has a ground level vertical option.
Handling size is limited by the person, not the machine (within practical parameters).
Just as an example round size really doesn't matter to me, my work revolves around dealing with the wood no matter the size. I've made and moved rounds you would have to haul on a truck with oversize load signs unless they were broken up. So the point is it becomes relative. It isn't as much an issue of machine as it an overall look at the logistics of making firewood.
Getting rounds to a splitter, taking the splitter to the rounds, rounds coming from a stack, or rounds being spread on the ground is largely immaterial to splitter production; it can be very important to overall production. I've worked it all ways, rounds dumped in a pile, rounds stacked up in a neat row, make a few rounds and then split them, rounds out of truck, rounds out of a loader, rounds quartered or even eighthed with a saw, you name it and I've probably done it. Splitter time is very important to me and my kinetic splitter is my fastest way of making split firewood.
It might be a surprise, but I use as little machinery as possible because turning the key takes time and costs money. There are times when it's just me, a saw or two, and a couple of axes. Wham bam, thank you ma'am, and I have another cord of wood to sell. Most recent example was a long straight D. Fir with few branches. Dropped it, homeowner picked up the brush; I just bucked and split and loaded split wood. Couple hours later I left with a bit over a cord of wood to sell later and I got paid to take down the tree. Grossed $200 an hour on that gig. If I'd had a Super Splitter I could tow behind the truck it would have been $400 an hour.
So, it comes back to this. A hydro is often better than an axe but slower than a kinetic. Just simple physics there. If a guy has a trusty hydro unit that is meeting his needs than great, more power to him, I'm happy for him, it's good.
But if said guy comes along and says "I don't need anything more and I don't believe these other machines that I've no personal experience with work the way other people claim they do." Well, I've got a problem with that. Sure a kinetic might not fit the way
you make firewood, but it sure works good for a lot of people, several of whom are in this thread and telling you so.
Mr. HE
