Balfor or Thor splitter

[jeanesy]

Had the new Thor magik out on site yesterday.

First impressions are very good! Had some horrible knotty plum wood that had been undercover for about 8 months, a load of old hornbeam that had been hanging around for 6 months and a large pear tree to split that we felled on Friday. It coped really well with everything, nothing it wouldn't split and I was impressed with its speed.

Table is a good height but the foot pedal seemed quite slow, will have to have a look at that next week.

One thing I was worried about was it's weight and how portable it would be. It is a bit of a lump and it definitely needed two to get it onto the plant trailer, I wouldn't fancy trying to wheel it onto the tipping trailer which is why I'm definitely getting a little boat winch to help matters.

[richy_B]

An obvious point (but not to one of my lads!?!) Is don't try and wheel it with the ram at full height. Its really top heavy and will flatten you (as it did him!).

[jeanesy]

😂 I can imagine!

[Breezeblock]

Glad to hear it's as fast as the pto version.

There are two silver lugs on either side of the machine where the control levers come to rest. I simply removed these and hey presto one hand enabled.

 

I found the leader control aspect a bit sensitive at times, the slightest bit of resistance on the guides (i.e. pine sap build up)and the ram would not extend and eventually got fed up and did the above.

 

I had a look at mines and if you just slacken the bolts going through the 2 lugs and turn them 180deg it goes past them allowing one hand operation

[swinny]

What sort of money are you having to spend for a fast splitter for just doing rounds and not billets? Cheers

[rowan lee]

I had a look at mines and if you just slacken the bolts going through the 2 lugs and turn them 180deg it goes past them allowing one hand operation

 

Aye there the one's mate - bingo.