Wood Splitter

[PeteMac]

I’m with 49ereric. As much as fitness is talked about here I’d think everyone would be splitting by hand. An 8# maul and a good chainsaw is like your own personal gym.

Not to sidetrack from the original question, but the type of wood you're splitting might be the biggest factor in deciding the most efficient way to go about it. I split around 6 cords of ash a year with a fiskars splitting axe, while my hydraulic splitters sit in the barn. Its just a lot faster with the axe, and more enjoyable. A different species might change that.
If you're interested in turning a wrench you might have good luck finding splitters with blown engines - I picked up two for free over the years, and very inexpensive Honda engines to go on them.

 

[madgrad02]

I know some folks may not care for the brand, but I was able to pick up the 20ton splitter from Harbor Freight a few years ago while on sale (feel like it was $700 or $800, maybe even less with a coupon) - while I don't do TONS of splitting like some folks may, it has worked great. The Predator engines are Honda-clones from what I understand, and the ability to split in both directions cuts time in half. Haven't come across a log it won't split as of yet, even some real knotty oak.

 

[ScottinPA]

Currently the boys and I split with maul, wedges, and sledge. I've been looking at some 3pt splitters online. Anyone have experience with them?

 

[49ereric]

Was swinging the 8lb splitting maul yesterday @-5° on a big dead but wet black ash in the swamp. First butt cut was a bear to split but they always are but then got better. Way too heavy to lift at any age but i’m 65. Felt good yesterday but lower back a bit sore today.
Couldn’t use my hydraulic splitter even if I wanted to in most of my firewood areas.
First time cut thru a bullet as well.

 

[ChrisA]

Not to sidetrack from the original question, but the type of wood you're splitting might be the biggest factor in deciding the most efficient way to go about it. I split around 6 cords of ash a year with a fiskars splitting axe, while my hydraulic splitters sit in the barn. Its just a lot faster with the axe, and more enjoyable. A different species might change that.
If you're interested in turning a wrench you might have good luck finding splitters with blown engines - I picked up two for free over the years, and very inexpensive Honda engines to go on them.

I've been researching hydraulic splitters and have been offered a couple shop built ones but haven't gone to get them yet. In the meantime, I upgraded from a second hand classic style splitting maul to a Fiskars X27. Holy cow that X27 is a joy to use. Not sure I need a hydraulic now.

 

[jprice]

Brute from Menards has been great for the past 4 or 5 years. Briggs & Stratton engine and I believe it's the 30 ton model. I haven't looked around at the a whole lot but wouldn't imagine there being a huge difference in function of them. Probably more a presence on the little features.