Oliver1655
Addicted to ArboristSite
You will find lots of differences in opinions on what is the best splitter design. As one poster noted, having the splitter at a height where you can stand up straight, in his case 31", mine is at 25", will make a world of difference on how long you feel like splitting without a break. I built a dedicated horizontal splitter to where the wood is pushed over a wedge fixed to the wide flanged beam. I used a 4x24" cylinder w/ a 16 gpm Haldex 2 stage pump. I added a hydraulic log lift. I used a 11 hp Greyhound engine from Harbor Freight that I run at half throttle. (On sale for $229 at this time.) I have fold up catch tables behind the wedge. Once I pick up the log to split it doesn't hit the ground until it hits the wood pile. This has greatly cut down the stress on my back. I used a mobile home axle, added an oil cooler and have less than $1,200 in it. For this amount and the pleasure of building what I want, I have a splitter I have been offered $2,800 for. The actual tonnage would calculate to be around 15.7 tons. I can split elm without problems.
If you have the time Building a splitter to your own specifications can be very rewarding.
If you have the time Building a splitter to your own specifications can be very rewarding.