BigSix
ArboristSite Lurker
Electric Splitter NOT a "Dumb Idea"
This is my first post--nothing like coming out swingin', huh?
I know this is a post from last year, but I just saw it. And I'm always amazed at people like "Big Woody". Also, like the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, I guess I just "...can't keep it in."
This little exchange just slays me: (The first line is from Andy--the "thoughtful response" that follows it is from "Big Woody")
Andy, an electric splitter has interested me for a while. As the bulk of your three-page thread illustrated, several people did come forth to state the specific conditions when an electrically-powered splitter would be an advantage.
I am one of those people who would benefit from an electric splitter, in that my friendly, local arborist will drop off a DUMP TRUCK of hardwood logs, at my request--free. His 6 cylinder-powered chipper only accepts logs up to 18" in diameter. I live in a county full of rich, lazy Bush supporters, who don't burn wood. It costs the arborist $200. to tip a truck of logs at the local recycling center.
Hence, I get free logs from 18" to 36" in diameter, free, delivered IN MY YARD, with no branches, etc.... Did I mention that the wood is delivered, to my yard, free? Hence, I have no need to drag a splitter into the woods, where there are (obviously!) no 220v. outlets....
"Big Woody," check this out: My gas splitter sits, tarped, in the same part of my yard, 24/7/365--I'm a civilian, not an aroborista. I have a 10/3 x 100' long extension cord for my mig welder, already. If I had an electric splitter, these would be the advantages:
1. MASSIVE NOISE REDUCTION. I like to listen to talk radio, which is impossible with a hammering B&S engine.
2. Reduced Fume Inhalation. My 5 hp. Briggs does not burn oil, I have gone through the carb and it is finely-tuned--in fact, it runs great. HOWEVER, the fumes ******* bother me! I got out my oxy/acetylene set and brazed up some connectors and copper flex pipe, to run the exhaust 10+' away, via electrical conduit. The noise reduction was neglible, as it's mostly coming right through the block on the B&S (it's no Honda!) and while the fumes were better, the 13' exhaust made it run hot, and a hot restart became impossible. THE FUMES from a dirty, (relatively speaking) 30 year old B&S REALLY BOTHER ME.... And again, this engine is tuned and running well (well, until I lost the spark again, but that's neither here nor there.)
3. NO changing Engine Oil--wouldn't have to do it.
4. No getting the engine's spark back--when I got this freebie splitter, the points plunger on the Briggs had set up, from sitting. I got it to work, but a summer under the tarp has killed the spark--not sure if it's the plunger again, but I have to pull the flywheel (again!) just to find out. An electric splitter would be running already.
5. No keeping it gassed, treating the fuel for storage, cleaning the carb if I forget to treat the fuel.
6. Electric power is less-polluting. We currently get 52% of our electric power in this country from coal and, while that sucks, because coal puts URANIUM (Word!) and Mercury into the atmosphere, it's still cleaner than a non-EPA small gas engine. To wit: running the average lawn mower for ONE HOUR is equivalent to driving a modern, 4 cyl. automobile 350 MILES! I know--seems incredible to me too, but that's what the slide rule guys and gals say....
7. With an electric splitter, I wouldn't be contemplating dragging my gas splitter out of my wood-processing area, running up into the bed of my pickup, and pulling all the tinwork off, so I can pull the flywheel again (hopefully w/o cracking it) to see what's become of my spark. IOW, there's always maintenance with small, gas engines.
Big Woody, please tell me how Andy's hankering for an electric splitter is a "dumb idea," in the face of 1-7, above.
What's "dumb" is thinking that everyone is exactly like you, Woody, with needs, obligations and preferences exactly like yours. That's "dumb," my friend--no, make that "open-class dumb." Like "open-class" racing? Big-bore stuff!
Again, I ****** marvel at people like Big Woody, who look at any idea that they didn't come up with as a "dumb idea" (the "Not Invented Here Syndrome" or NIHS).
Exactly how insecure does one have to be to swat each new idea you DIDN'T have, like a fly, before considering it based on it's merits?
My father would describe that scenario as "putting your mouth in gear before your brain was engaged...."
The type of power source DEPENDS UPON THE USERS GOAL'S, THE POWER SOURCE(S) AVAILABLE AND THE BUDGET.
To say an idea is "dumb" before considering the above is just supplying your audience with the best adjective they could use to describe...you.
Hows'about a little tolerance for the "marketplace of ideas", huh Woody? This site looks excellent, and perhaps it'll even tolerate a liberal, nonprofessional like me. (Well, just giving y'all the benefit o' the doubt here--LOL). And if I float an unconventional idea in the future, I'd like to think people will consider it on its merits (as most did, here, to be fair) rather than slap it with an adjective like "dumb."
"Dumb?"
Seriously?
Andy--I'd like to hear about any successes/experiements you've had with an electric woodsplitter. Assuming I'm not banned on my initial post, you may wish to PM me, to avoid any nasty complications from associating with me. I just find some people to be incredibly...well, you know what I'm thinkin'....
This is my first post--nothing like coming out swingin', huh?
I know this is a post from last year, but I just saw it. And I'm always amazed at people like "Big Woody". Also, like the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, I guess I just "...can't keep it in."
This little exchange just slays me: (The first line is from Andy--the "thoughtful response" that follows it is from "Big Woody")
I mean replacing a 8 or 11 hp gas engine with a 5 or 7.5 hp electric motor
Thats really a dumb idea.
Andy, an electric splitter has interested me for a while. As the bulk of your three-page thread illustrated, several people did come forth to state the specific conditions when an electrically-powered splitter would be an advantage.
I am one of those people who would benefit from an electric splitter, in that my friendly, local arborist will drop off a DUMP TRUCK of hardwood logs, at my request--free. His 6 cylinder-powered chipper only accepts logs up to 18" in diameter. I live in a county full of rich, lazy Bush supporters, who don't burn wood. It costs the arborist $200. to tip a truck of logs at the local recycling center.
Hence, I get free logs from 18" to 36" in diameter, free, delivered IN MY YARD, with no branches, etc.... Did I mention that the wood is delivered, to my yard, free? Hence, I have no need to drag a splitter into the woods, where there are (obviously!) no 220v. outlets....
"Big Woody," check this out: My gas splitter sits, tarped, in the same part of my yard, 24/7/365--I'm a civilian, not an aroborista. I have a 10/3 x 100' long extension cord for my mig welder, already. If I had an electric splitter, these would be the advantages:
1. MASSIVE NOISE REDUCTION. I like to listen to talk radio, which is impossible with a hammering B&S engine.
2. Reduced Fume Inhalation. My 5 hp. Briggs does not burn oil, I have gone through the carb and it is finely-tuned--in fact, it runs great. HOWEVER, the fumes ******* bother me! I got out my oxy/acetylene set and brazed up some connectors and copper flex pipe, to run the exhaust 10+' away, via electrical conduit. The noise reduction was neglible, as it's mostly coming right through the block on the B&S (it's no Honda!) and while the fumes were better, the 13' exhaust made it run hot, and a hot restart became impossible. THE FUMES from a dirty, (relatively speaking) 30 year old B&S REALLY BOTHER ME.... And again, this engine is tuned and running well (well, until I lost the spark again, but that's neither here nor there.)
3. NO changing Engine Oil--wouldn't have to do it.
4. No getting the engine's spark back--when I got this freebie splitter, the points plunger on the Briggs had set up, from sitting. I got it to work, but a summer under the tarp has killed the spark--not sure if it's the plunger again, but I have to pull the flywheel (again!) just to find out. An electric splitter would be running already.
5. No keeping it gassed, treating the fuel for storage, cleaning the carb if I forget to treat the fuel.
6. Electric power is less-polluting. We currently get 52% of our electric power in this country from coal and, while that sucks, because coal puts URANIUM (Word!) and Mercury into the atmosphere, it's still cleaner than a non-EPA small gas engine. To wit: running the average lawn mower for ONE HOUR is equivalent to driving a modern, 4 cyl. automobile 350 MILES! I know--seems incredible to me too, but that's what the slide rule guys and gals say....
7. With an electric splitter, I wouldn't be contemplating dragging my gas splitter out of my wood-processing area, running up into the bed of my pickup, and pulling all the tinwork off, so I can pull the flywheel again (hopefully w/o cracking it) to see what's become of my spark. IOW, there's always maintenance with small, gas engines.
Big Woody, please tell me how Andy's hankering for an electric splitter is a "dumb idea," in the face of 1-7, above.
What's "dumb" is thinking that everyone is exactly like you, Woody, with needs, obligations and preferences exactly like yours. That's "dumb," my friend--no, make that "open-class dumb." Like "open-class" racing? Big-bore stuff!
Again, I ****** marvel at people like Big Woody, who look at any idea that they didn't come up with as a "dumb idea" (the "Not Invented Here Syndrome" or NIHS).
Exactly how insecure does one have to be to swat each new idea you DIDN'T have, like a fly, before considering it based on it's merits?
My father would describe that scenario as "putting your mouth in gear before your brain was engaged...."
The type of power source DEPENDS UPON THE USERS GOAL'S, THE POWER SOURCE(S) AVAILABLE AND THE BUDGET.
To say an idea is "dumb" before considering the above is just supplying your audience with the best adjective they could use to describe...you.
Hows'about a little tolerance for the "marketplace of ideas", huh Woody? This site looks excellent, and perhaps it'll even tolerate a liberal, nonprofessional like me. (Well, just giving y'all the benefit o' the doubt here--LOL). And if I float an unconventional idea in the future, I'd like to think people will consider it on its merits (as most did, here, to be fair) rather than slap it with an adjective like "dumb."
"Dumb?"
Seriously?
Andy--I'd like to hear about any successes/experiements you've had with an electric woodsplitter. Assuming I'm not banned on my initial post, you may wish to PM me, to avoid any nasty complications from associating with me. I just find some people to be incredibly...well, you know what I'm thinkin'....
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