Log Splitter - Choice?

[mattyboy]

Arent all these rock machinery splitters chinese made kit?

[maybelateron]

7 hours ago, mattyboy said:

Arent all these rock machinery splitters chinese made kit?

Having spoken to the Rock people at the arb show I was definitely under the impression they make them, rather than import them. May well have Chinese components to some extent, but Briggs and Stratton engines are not something I expect to find on a machine built in China.

[craigblues]

It’s arrived!!! I’m glad I didn’t get the metre version would of been massive!!

 

Microswitch has come not connected so think should work horizontally just need to tidy the cable up.

 

But need to work out the handle situation.

[Vedhoggar]

Yeh, metre version 300 x 127 x 123cm compared to vertical splitter 228 x 114 x 122cm. Good luck with it ... I think you'll find it will split anything! The height of log hold handle on the left of machine can be adjusted at back of machine, mine was set a bit too low. 

[Vedhoggar]

5 hours ago, maybelateron said:

Having spoken to the Rock people at the arb show I was definitely under the impression they make them, rather than import them. May well have Chinese components to some extent, but Briggs and Stratton engines are not something I expect to find on a machine built in China.

Definitely made in China by Jiashan Superpower Tools and come with Briggs & Stratton engines (superpowerlogsplitter.com) - Rock Machinery assemble them in South Lanarkshire.  

[craigblues]

What’s easiest way to make it single handle operation?

 

also seems out of balance to use it horizontally. Needs an extra support under the back end I reckon.

[Vedhoggar]

39 minutes ago, craigblues said:

What’s easiest way to make it single handle operation?

 

also seems out of balance to use it horizontally. Needs an extra support under the back end I reckon.

There should be a prop on the underside of the beam between base plate and knife which flips up for transport and comes down to support it when in use, it must be down when unhitched and not in use too in horizontal position for safety reasons to prevent machine tipping backwards. We only use our machine vertically and need have to have it as a two handed operation for H&S reasons however I would have thought it would be a case of disengaging the log hold handle (Rock Machinery might advise you on this matter).

Edited June 11, 2020 by Vedhoggar

[Vedhoggar]

If you are not aware the operating instructions/assembly info plus Briggs operators manual can be found in the black tube on opposite of machine to engine.

[craigblues]

Just now, Vedhoggar said:

If you are not aware the operating instructions/assembly info plus Briggs operators manual can be found in the black tube on opposite of machine to engine.

Yes thanks I had realised already. Nice little addition I thought that was. Keep my hobnobs in there.

[trigger_andy]

What’s easiest way to make it single handle operation?

 

also seems out of balance to use it horizontally. Needs an extra support under the back end I reckon.

Ive messed about with mine now Im home. Converting to a Single handed operation is fairly simple when you get your head around how this almost unique 2 handed operation works. 

 

Initially I followed what a lad from Rock Machinery suggested and that was to depress the left lever all the way down and drill a hole in the rod and pin in place. Clearly he never tried this out himself as the ram will extend but not retract. 

 

Next I removed everything from the left hand side and removed the adjusting bolt behind the right hand side handle, (pic below) but the cross bar connected directly to the Spool needs something to lever off of on the left hand side. So it was back on with all the gubbins on the left hand side. 

 

So, leave everything on the left hand side. I'll cut the handle off at a later stage, or make a bracket up to replace the handle. Remove the adjuster nut behind the right hand side handle and it will work with the single handle.  

 

 

 

I’ve removed all the other junk as well. The log lifter, the log lifter release handle and the log hook thing on the left hand side to keep the log in place.

 

I’ll get a set of tables fabbed up at some point.

 

I’ve had no issues splitting in the horizontal. The 4 way splitter works great, but is a bit slower than the single head. But still quicker than splitting twice.

 

I think when I put some straight Birch and cherry through with the 4 way it will split nice and easy.