Lafont wood splitter

[MattsOaks]

Hey everyone I’m new to this site, I was looking online for some more info on the splitter I recently aquired.
It’s a Lafont SS-500 i think..it was purchased new by my grandparents in the 70’s.
The only thing my grandma could tell me about it was that they paid 3,000$ For it!!

 

[sb47]

They paid 3K in the 70's?

 

[Sandhill Crane]

Nice rig. No info though.

 

[MattsOaks]

That’s what she said!

 

[rancher2]

You will see a few for sale once a while. I think they built four different models when that one was built. I think they were built in Prentice Wis. Lafont became Prentek and then Multitek . That would have been a commercial spittter of the day. MattsOaks did your grandfather sell firewood?

 

[Ted Jenkins]

Very nice rig for your area should last many more years with a little TLC. Very pricey for the 70's but not unheard of. It would not be usable here in California, but in your area it looks perfect. What info are you looking for? It has all the standard components that it should have. What ever goes bad on it replace it with whatever. If any thing that goes bad with engine you could easily spend a $1000 just in parts then you have and old repaired engine. Ask me how I know. Use it until it breaks. Thanks

 

[kevin j]

They paid 3K in the 70's?

yikes. that was the price of a car then......

 

[sirbuildalot]

Don't forget, back then things were built to last your lifetime and be passed on to future generations. Not like today, where stuff is built with the intention of you throwing it away in a few years and buying another.

I see it a lot with old garden tractors. Back in the 70's and 80's they cost similar to what cars cost. Then again they are still being used today 30, 40 years later with minimal maintenance required. Its a shame the first and most important item everyone cares about today is cost, cost, cost. Not what features does it have, how long will it last, where was it made, or what was it made out of.

Before someone cries about cost of living being there excuse for buying throwaway crap. Get a better paying job then and/or reduce your daily expenses. I see people say this BS, but they need a $3 dollar coffee twice a day, and 500 channels on there HD tv.

 

[JeffHK454]

Looks very well built..has that old farm machinery vibe.

 

[MattsOaks]

You will see a few for sale once a while. I think they built four different models when that one was built. I think they were built in Prentice Wis. Lafont became Prentek and then Multitek . That would have been a commercial spittter of the day. MattsOaks did your grandfather sell firewood?

Grandpa had a logging business near poplar wi in the late 70s-early 80s.
The splitter was for personal use, wood was their primary heat source.

 

[Jhenderson]

When I went into business in 82 a LaFonte splitter was the Holy Grail. Everybody talked about/ wanted one. Nobody had one. Now, one of my tree length customers owns one. Had it for decades. He only uses it for the biggest, toughest stuff he splits. He says it’s too valuable to use regularly.

 

[VirginiaIron]

I'd like to see that thing in operation. Maybe you could post a vid on YouTube the send a link. Very nice! If you have any feelings for it, keep it going.

 

[lknchoppers]

Cool old splitter. Looks like a good quality home made splitter.

 

[rarefish383]

Not home made. That's a commercial unit of the day. I had a Bliss splitter I paid over $3000 for around 1980. It was PTO shaft drive and took 40 HP to run it. So, after I bought the splitter, I had to go buy a tractor big enough to run it.

 

[rarefish383]

I just did a search and found some cool stuff on that machine. Like the 23 HP 4 cylinder Kohler. That is now on my, "Keepin an eye out for" list.

 

[Earthandheavenlandscape]

im looking at buying a lafont ss 500 its repowered by a 20hp Honda. Looks to be in good shape and has has different wedges for it.

 

[rancher2]

Those look to be a well built splitter. I see them for sale on FB and Craigslist once in a while. They are always a long distance from me. If its in good shape and the price is right I would sure buy it.

 

[Earthandheavenlandscape]

Those look to be a well built splitter. I see them for sale on FB and Craigslist once in a while. They are always a long distance from me. If its in good shape and the price is right I would sure buy it.

The price is maybe a tad high but he is flexible some. It's been all gone through in the last few years and it has the extra wedges. Its not to far from me so thats good.

 

[WoodTick007]

When I went into business in 82 a LaFonte splitter was the Holy Grail. Everybody talked about/ wanted one. Nobody had one. Now, one of my tree length customers owns one. Had it for decades. He only uses it for the biggest, toughest stuff he splits. He says it’s too valuable to use regularly.

That don't make no sense. If you got an old log splitter that's all it is in a log splitter. Too valuable to use? Come on now. It's welded Steel old hydraulic hoses old hydraulic valves An old engine old pump. There might be some sentimental value but it's got not much worth

 

[Earthandheavenlandscape]

Would anyone want to see these re produce under a new name with some modern day upgrades?