How much would you pay for a DR kinetic splitter?

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Ryan'smilling

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A local place has the gas powered k22 rapid fire splitters on sale. Without the table for $850, with the table for $1000. Either would be tax free.

Worth it?

I really want an electric super split HD, but it'll be a few years before I can afford it. Should i save up for the real deal, or compromise and get splitting now?
 
I have heard some bad things about them. Only good things about the SS, I would wait and get the tried and true one.
 
I recall reading that this model can only split an 18" length. Looks kind of flimsy to me. It seems like the SS copies all have issues and get recalled. I'd wait and get the real deal. You hardly ever see used SS's for sale. That should tell you something. I've had mine for 5 or 6 years. Love it.
 
Throw some chunks of wood in the truck and take it to the splitter and see for yourself.
If it is used, check retail.
I have a SuperSplitHD.
I have an 18 hp DR chipper I bought used. More than ten years old when I got it. Very well built unit. Parts aren't cheap but available and timely.
 
I recall reading that this model can only split an 18" length. Looks kind of flimsy to me. It seems like the SS copies all have issues and get recalled. I'd wait and get the real deal. You hardly ever see used SS's for sale. That should tell you something. I've had mine for 5 or 6 years. Love it.

What he said! Too many issues with the copy cats!
 
Question on kinetic?? What happens when they hit something they won't split do the gears just jump and ride over the rail? stall ? what happens??
 
Save up and buy the real deal. Like others, I've only heard good things about the SS and personal experience on some DR products, especially warranty support, would lead me to shun most of their products.
 
Question on kinetic?? What happens when they hit something they won't split do the gears just jump and ride over the rail? stall ? what happens??

Very good question.

So, the ram pushes a piece into the wedge and there is resistance enough to stop the piece from splitting completely...

In my experience, a number of things can happen.
-The most common is that the rack stops, disengages from the pinion gear, and the springs retract the ram. Re-engage, the ram pushes the piece through, or possibly hit it a third time if cutting through a really tough knot. I would not call multiple hits stalling.
99.9% there are no issues with 'stalling'.

Stalling is something else... And as stalling a hydraulic splitter on occassion, does not seem to cause damage.
-A stall can occur. Meaning a couple things. But understanding how it occurs allows you to avoid it almost completely. The end of the round being pushed on by the ram needs to be cut square.

If the round is not cut square, side pressure on the racks push plate occurs and can bind the push plates slide mechanism in a twist as the round engages the wedge. This may prevent the rack from disengaging from the pinion completely, perhaps not at all.
-If still engaged and the pinion is still under power can not turn, you may get belt slippage and squeal at the flywheel. Pull up on the engagement lever to disengage the rack (the rack lift up off of the spinning pinion gear). If the rack does not disengage from the pinion because it too is in a jammed state, hit engine kill switch.
-If partially engaged you will get pinion/rack chatter. Not good! Pull up on the engagement lever to release. If necessary hit the kill switch on the engine. You may need a pry bar to release the side torqued push plate from the round. Usually just a slight nudge, or tap with a another small round will release the bind. The binds are all quite small, but can telegraph backwards to the engagement lever.

Reading the rounds all but eliminates stalling the rack in a jambed state. It is normal practice to have to hit difficult pieces more than once. Again, I do not consider that a 'stall'.

As to your specific question, Do the gears jump...
The pinion gear is a fixed position gear, a long wide gear, that also acts as the axle with a flywheel at each end. If the engine is running over an idle, the pinion gear is continually turning. (unless the pinion under power can not turn, then there may be belt slippage on the flywheel which you will hear) The rack is bar stock with gear teeth the length of it, teeth facing down, positioned between the flywheels and above the pinion gear, and it has the push plate assembly on one end. The push plate assemble has a vertical pivot point, and is spring loaded to hold the rack up off the pinion. Lifting the engagement lever to begin a split, pushes down on the rack to engage it in the continually spinning pinion. At the end of the stroke it is released upward off the pinion, and springs retract the push plate/rack assembly.
 
Thanks sir ,very detailed explanation, dosen't sound like anything I would ever use, ends not always square, heavy knots, crotches built my own hyd, built like a tank and still have some cracks and stuff have to fix. it's about 40 ton with dozer cyl and biggest pump I could get. just always wondered how kinetic worked
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I appreciate it. I'm gonna hold off for the SS. I actually slipped on the ice and broke my ankle on Monday, so I'm gonna be grounded from cutting wood for a while. On the bright side it helped make the splitter decision easier.

Why the HD? I haven't looked in a while, but I recall it not being much more expensive, so I figured why not?
 
@Ryan'smilling I can't "like" your news about your ankle. Hope it heals up OK so you can get back to wood work again.

Thanks man, I appreciate it. It's a drag for sure, especially at the beginning of syrup season, but I'll make it through it. Always could have been worse, ya know? Luckily I got a lot cut and split in January, so three months without splitting probably won't hurt me next winter.

I go in for surgery in two hours, so I'm very excited about that. I wish I could just have it bolted back together and get back to work, but they tell me it doesn't work like that. :(

Anyway, thanks for the kind words. :)

Edited to add: Erik, I see you're from Western Wisconsin. Whereabouts? I'm in River Falls.
 
Thanks man, I appreciate it. It's a drag for sure, especially at the beginning of syrup season, but I'll make it through it. Always could have been worse, ya know? Luckily I got a lot cut and split in January, so three months without splitting probably won't hurt me next winter.

I go in for surgery in two hours, so I'm very excited about that. I wish I could just have it bolted back together and get back to work, but they tell me it doesn't work like that. :(

Anyway, thanks for the kind words. :)

Edited to add: Erik, I see you're from Western Wisconsin. Whereabouts? I'm in River Falls.
I am just north of La Crosse. Both of my boys went to college at River Falls. Hope the surgery went well today.
 
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