Cheap Chinese splitters?

[Haironyourchest]

1 hour ago, sandspider said:

What model have you got, Hairy? Thanks

Mine's a "Max Axe" from Heartnett in Ireland, but it's a rebadged generic Chinese one. I'd say they're all pretty much the same across the board. 

 

I wondered about the extension cord thing ( I use mine with a 30 meter cord! ) - had an electrician friend check it out while running, put the meter up it's skirt and we split a few tough logs. He said the amp draw spikes only when it hits the end of the power stroke and you keep the handle pressed down (which is stupid anyway) or if it meets a hard stop like an unsplittable knot and you keep it going. So basically, borderline, but fine, as long as you don't force it. 

 

Found a pic of mine. I took the wee wheels off the back and moved them to the front, bodged them on with bits of the second activation arm I cut up. The "handguard flange" on the left arm which protects the hand holding the activation handle, got cut off as well. Ergonomics. Bought some proper wheels and a bit of rod to replace the back wheels, it rolls nice now, easy to move around and stands a few inches higher, which before the hand grip was a bit too low and caused me back pain. I'm 5'11". It's perfect now. Also replaced the hydraulic oil reservoir nut underneath. Went to use it one day and all the oil had leaked out - the nut was missing. Don't know how. Had to find a same thread but and silicone a washer on it, to seal, but it's been fine. The basic unit it solid and reliable, it's just little things that break. Still worth every penny and hour of faffing. If you ever do upgrade the wheels, go with inflatable instead if poly - the weight if the splitter causes a dent in the yellow poly ones.

 

 

Edited February 8, 2022 by Haironyourchest

[TuscanPhil]

On 08/02/2022 at 10:52, sandspider said:

Hi all

Toying with the idea of getting an electric splitter, as my wrist is too bad for much axe splitting now. My wood supply comes from my land (personal domestic use only, but ~10m3 or so a year), and is often gnarly big bits, so would be looking at a 6 ton or stronger splitter. (I've borrowed a 4 ton splitter and stalled it on various knotty bits, even when trying to nibble away at the edges). So, I was looking at a Forest Master or perhaps a Handy or even a Titan - something with a reasonable name.

I'm sure someone here has tried the Chinese jobs.

Cheers.

I had a chinese Longli branded 4 ton splitter very similar to what you linked - bought second hand from a neighbour but I doubt it had seen much use prior to me buying it.  Managed to get about 10 years out of it (6 years easy use and 4 years hard use) before bits of it started breaking (return springs on the handles).  Got rid of it and bought a Handy 6 ton splitter of the same horizontal variety - can't really tell much difference to be honest but it probably does split more than the 4 ton did.  I've a similar use scenario to you - my own woodland for personal use - about 15-20M3 a year.  If I was going to get anything else, it would likely be an Oxdale SE400 but this is quite step up in price.  I did hire one in with an operator (only way to get it) and he struggled with some knotty Sitka Spruce that I wanted to try it on.  It managed to get through it but he had to rev the engine a bit harder to get more hydraulic flow.

[sandspider]

Thanks, useful to know the cheapy Chinese splitter lasted a good few years. The oxdales do look rather good, but for my level of usage I can't justify the cost, even second hand. 

[Ty Korrigan]

Prepping my own future stock for 2024/25.

I normally loan the splitter out to clients as a sweetener but this time it is I putting in the hours with this leylandii.

The machine cost me around €1300 plus vat with a Briggs engine.

 

 

[sandspider]

What make/ model is that? I've only ever used horizontal electric splitters, which are probably worse than vertical.

[Stubby]

On 08/02/2022 at 21:58, Haironyourchest said:

Mine's a "Max Axe" from Heartnett in Ireland, but it's a rebadged generic Chinese one. I'd say they're all pretty much the same across the board. 

 

I wondered about the extension cord thing ( I use mine with a 30 meter cord! ) - had an electrician friend check it out while running, put the meter up it's skirt and we split a few tough logs. He said the amp draw spikes only when it hits the end of the power stroke and you keep the handle pressed down (which is stupid anyway) or if it meets a hard stop like an unsplittable knot and you keep it going. So basically, borderline, but fine, as long as you don't force it. 

 

Found a pic of mine. I took the wee wheels off the back and moved them to the front, bodged them on with bits of the second activation arm I cut up. The "handguard flange" on the left arm which protects the hand holding the activation handle, got cut off as well. Ergonomics. Bought some proper wheels and a bit of rod to replace the back wheels, it rolls nice now, easy to move around and stands a few inches higher, which before the hand grip was a bit too low and caused me back pain. I'm 5'11". It's perfect now. Also replaced the hydraulic oil reservoir nut underneath. Went to use it one day and all the oil had leaked out - the nut was missing. Don't know how. Had to find a same thread but and silicone a washer on it, to seal, but it's been fine. The basic unit it solid and reliable, it's just little things that break. Still worth every penny and hour of faffing. If you ever do upgrade the wheels, go with inflatable instead if poly - the weight if the splitter causes a dent in the yellow poly ones.

 

 

Tires are a bit " gay " 😄

[Haironyourchest]

1 minute ago, Stubby said:

Tires are a bit " gay " 😄

You could be right. I was going for the John Deer aesthetic.. maybe I'll slap a rainbow sticker on it for good measure.

[Baldbloke]

My wife likes her Handy vertical splitter. Believe it’s rated at 6 tonnes with a 3000 w motor. Runs from a standard socket and has done about 4 years without issues. I find I can split most logs more quickly with a maul so tend not to use it too often.

 

Though she’ll need to give it a workout this year as there’s four times more to do than what’s stacked here.