Splitter Overkill

[Tazman1602]

YUP. It's Splitter overkill fer sure. Just wanted to shoot you guys some pics and tell you you are a BAD influence on me. I hadn't burned wood in 13 years when Propane cracked me in the a** last fall. Anyway this is the latest bad influence you've had on me. I've read the posts, Iron and Oak is awesome, have used their splitters, but they are pricey. Everything I read led to the HUSKEE brand made by Speeco. I wanted a Honda engine -- I know there's some controversy there but I've had good luck with them, but was OK with Briggs and Scrapirons I/C engines.

SOOOO.......I need a splitter, call my local Husky dealer and he is selling only Wallenstien splitters -- price? $3K for a basic 22Ton splitter. OK, I tried.

Went to Tractor Supply and looked at splitters. Found a store 30 miles south actually HAD one in stock............for $1699. OK, Jennifer Granholm shafted me for over $100 in sales tax but that ain't TSC's problem.

So I tried to get you pics from all angles. I even got a good one of the bottom plate -- I know there's been some "solid vs. cast" controvery on the feet, but this thing is massive. Six feet tall when going vertical.

Here's the specs: 12.5 HP Briggs I/C, 5" X 24" stroke, auto return, two stage pump 16 gallon/min, cycle time 15 seconds, wedge 8" high with spreader wings, beam size 8" X 10".

Whaddaya' think?
What is it? A picture is worth a thousand words.......enjoy.........and THANKS!

 

[WidowMaker]

SIL's an I have that exact same splitter, only a 9HP B&S engine, Solid Base in John Deere green. We spilt 30 t0 50 FULL cords a year. Red Fir, Doug Fir and Tamarack, up to 48" DBH.
Usually run it at about 1/2 throttle, never failed to spilt what ever it is fed, Haven't had problem number one with it... Think you'll be very happy with it...

 

[Tazman1602]

Usually run it at about 1/2 throttle, never failed to spilt what ever it is fed, Haven't had problem number one with it... Think you'll be very happy with it...

I'm thinking so. A lifetime of engineering experience. Figure out exactly what I need, DOUBLE the figures, and I will never, ever be dissapointed with it. Can't tell you the dollars it takes to figure that one out.........<GRIN>

I am lovin' life thinking I don't have to swing that maul or 15 pounder anymore.....

 

[Zodiac45]

Nice Rig Taz,

Congrates on a fine machine. Bit of overkill, yes but since when has that slowed any of us down. Last splitter you'll even buy!

 

[RAYINTOMBALL]

Nice splitter Taz. My theory is ,to much is almost enough. You won't mind splitting now. So go knock some of that paint off and get to splitting.

 

[Tazman1602]

Thanks guys. Yeah, by the time that splitter wears out I may be in nursing home with a silver drool cup.........................

 

[stihl sawing]

You got a fine splitter, it will split anything you throw at it.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Yep. Good splitter. That's the one I got.

Splits oak crotches with no problem. 36" oak? No problem. Dry locust? Elm? No problem.

I like the built in log cradle, formed as part of the beam. Makes horizontal splitting very nice.

My wedge is pointed just a bit off center, which makes for some interesting shavings in some rounds. Makes good kindling.



Overkill is GOOD!

 

[Hugenpoet]

Whaddaya' think?

I think you have one fine lookin' splitter that should last you for many, many productive years.

Good luck with it, it should be a great splitter.

 

[WVwoodsman]

Nice solid splitter!

 

[Zodiac45]

PS: Fab up or buy a catcher or "wings" too keep from picking up multiple split pieces. Sort of like this guy sells. Makes life easier.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270228526037&ssPageName=ADME:B:FSEL:US:1123

 

[beerman6]

Looks like they have changed a bit since I bought mine,the log cradle is bigger,more pronounced.Be prepared to lose the fender opposite the operators side,unless you buy/make a table.

 

[2FatGuys]

YUP. It's Splitter overkill fer sure........

Here's the specs: 12.5 HP Briggs I/C, 5" X 24" stroke, auto return, two stage pump 16 gallon/min, cycle time 15 seconds, wedge 8" high with spreader wings, beam size 8" X 10".

Whaddaya' think? .......

That is a GREAT splitter! You will get a lot done with it and enjoy it for a long time if you take care of it.

I love the marketing tactics used to sell things these days. There have been numerous threads here about splitter capacity. In short, that thing is not capable of 35 tons... but who cares?

It is set up with a 24.5 ton capacity. A 5" cylinder, maxed out at 3000 PSI is only pushing 30 tons, regardless of horsepower or GPM. That splitter comes set up for 2500 PSI, which on a 5" cylinder generates 24.5 tons. To get 35 tons out of a 5" cylinder, you would need to be generating about 3570 PSI.

Enjoy it... work it hard!!! Stay safe.....

 

[046]

agree it's actually closer to 25 ton... but what the hey... it's the same output as TW-5. but not nearly as nice of course. but no where near TW-5's base price of $6,300 + lift + rack = $8,000

main difference between the two is cycle times. TW-5 uses a 22 gpm pump w/5in and gets 10 second cycle times.

plans are to upgrade to 22gpm pump. requires 3/4 in hose from current 1/2in and larger return too. 22 gpm pump is $300... hoses is aprox. $50.

what keeps me from jumping on this upgrade is.... my 35ton speeco splitter works so darn well as is.... just a bit slow in cycle times.

 

[wood4heat]

I wanted a Honda engine -- I know there's some controversy there but I've had good luck with them

Huh???

 

[stihl sawing]

Looks like they have changed a bit since I bought mine,the log cradle is bigger,more pronounced.Be prepared to lose the fender opposite the operators side,unless you buy/make a table.

Same here, They also changed the end plate.

 

[046]

evidently Honda has a new lower grade series of motor out that's given a number of folks trouble. this of course goes against std Honda motor's most excellent history of giving great service.

yep.. looks like speeco has honey combed base and increased thickness vs older model's thinner but solid steel base. someone claimed to have bent the base, but was not able to produce pictures. find it hard to believe someone could bend a base of this size, so I called BS...

note TSC labeled 35 ton is the way to go. speeco has downgraded motor to 8hp on other 35ton models. which is all it needs to drive current 16gpm pump.

Huh???

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Looks like they have changed a bit since I bought mine,the log cradle is bigger,more pronounced.

Yes, and it's rounded, not square like the older one pictured above, and here:

If you were to cut it so that you're looking at it in cross section, it would look like a U laying on its side, not a square channel like the older one.

Thicker too, I think. I don't see it on this older one, but mine has two cutouts in the beam near the foot end, to let crud drop out. Seems to work fine.

I have to agree about bending the plate. I'd have to see that to believe it.

 

[A. Stanton]

Here's a pic of mine with a work table and some other friends. Good luck with it.

 

[stihl sawing]

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=69301&stc=1&d=1208541043

but mine has two cutouts in the beam near the foot end, to let crud drop out. Seems to work fine.

IQUOTE] No it don't have the cutouts, you have to dig it out with a screwdriver cause it packs it in there really tight.