I borrowed a friend's splitter today (well, actually it was a splitter that his mother and her brother went in halves on). It's a craftsman 27 ton unit. 6.5 hp motor and I don't know what gpm pump. I've never run a splitter before other than the 6lb one that resides on the end of a handle. The brother was bragging that he had never put anything to it that didn't get split.
I had it bogged in 15 minutes with a piece of crotchy red oak. I had to come at it from a different direction to get it to pop. All in all, I think this particular splitter would be good for the occasional tough piece but for the normal stuff, I can make better time with the maul till I get tuckered out.
I'd like to find a splitter with a bad engine on the cheap, and put a bigger engine and pump on it. The return time isn't a big issue, cause it will do that faster than I can get the next piece ready, but the actual splitting time once the pump kicks down is painfully slow.
This first experience with hydraulic splitters has cured my want for one. I'll keep swinging my maul while I'm able.
Ian
I had it bogged in 15 minutes with a piece of crotchy red oak. I had to come at it from a different direction to get it to pop. All in all, I think this particular splitter would be good for the occasional tough piece but for the normal stuff, I can make better time with the maul till I get tuckered out.
I'd like to find a splitter with a bad engine on the cheap, and put a bigger engine and pump on it. The return time isn't a big issue, cause it will do that faster than I can get the next piece ready, but the actual splitting time once the pump kicks down is painfully slow.
This first experience with hydraulic splitters has cured my want for one. I'll keep swinging my maul while I'm able.
Ian
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