sevensandeights
ArboristSite Operative
A good friend of mine makes hardwood baseball bats. One man operation including home brew dehumidifier based kiln. He turns every bat by hand on a single lathe. Up until now, he has been splitting his 40" logs by hand to produce 4-8 billets per log. Ash, maple and birch are the most common species. Not sure exactly what his production numbers are but I think he is making 300+ bats per year. Sells locally to youth and American Legion teams.
He is looking for a hydraulic splitter due to a shoulder injury. Cycle time is not very important. Must be able to split vertically since he wants to avoid lifting 40" billets (hydraulic lift is an option but cost is a consideration).
Budget is about $1000-1500 all in. Doesn't have to be road towable. Any suggestions?
Current plan is to buy a new 22-25 ton and have a local fab shop extend the beam and footplate. Ram does not need to extend the full 40" since he will only be splitting straight grain wood. Just need 40" between retracted wedge and footplate.
He is looking for a hydraulic splitter due to a shoulder injury. Cycle time is not very important. Must be able to split vertically since he wants to avoid lifting 40" billets (hydraulic lift is an option but cost is a consideration).
Budget is about $1000-1500 all in. Doesn't have to be road towable. Any suggestions?
Current plan is to buy a new 22-25 ton and have a local fab shop extend the beam and footplate. Ram does not need to extend the full 40" since he will only be splitting straight grain wood. Just need 40" between retracted wedge and footplate.