"Budget" Electric Kinetic Log Splitters?

[jonLSS]

A few caveats to this question.

For own domestic use for one fire and future log burner so not massive usage,

Although not used one, I'm well aware from comments on here and youtube etc that kinetic machines have their limitations.

Replacing a hydraulic splitter which is PAINFULLY slow and floor level plus manual splitting.

Wife wants to do more herself, but can't be doing with the hydraulic and for medical reasons can't use petrol powered. 

So appreciate might be some responses of "DON'T". But assuming we DO, would appreciate any insights on brands.

In the £500-£700 bracket seems to be Portek, Crytek and Forest Master. Presumably all Chinese and built to a price.

Independent reviews of Portek don't sound that great, awkward to use.

Not much on Crytek splitters but reviews of there other stuff sound generally favourable.

Forest Master doesn't sound so great.

Would appreciate any experience or thoughts.

 

 

[sandspider]

Never tried a kinetic splitter, but I use a forest master basic electric hydraulic 7 tonner. Works well, very little stops it. I like it.

[Dan Maynard]

3 hours ago, jonLSS said:

In the £500-£700 bracket seems to be Portek, Crytek and Forest Master. Presumably all Chinese and built to a price.

I think these are likely to be exactly the same machine, just with different paint and stickers on.

 

They'll be better than the £200 B&Q special, but not as good as a European built.  For my money, buy once means buy European, spend more and get quality which lasts, able to get spares in 10 years time, etc - but I appreciate people allocate budgets differently. Oxdale, Thor, Posch probably the main choices.

[Steven P]

Going back to your question, how much wood are you splitting or intending to split and what wood?

 

I usually use an axe but it gives a real appreciation of what splits well... and what doesn't. So a nice straight 30cm long piece of ash, dead easy, a 30cm long leylandii (just in my mind cause that is what is out there to go at tomorrow) with half a dozen 2" side branches needs a bit of thought where to go.

 

Taking that to the log splitter, easy wood and you shouldn't get a problem, but knotty, twisted or 'Y' pieces might be a problem.

 

Similarly I think the base of this tree is about 2', 60cm diameter, but that weight of green wood might also cause problems.

 

Split enough wood for a Christmas day fire and nothing else it will last for year, split 1m3 a month perhaps not so long

 

So what are you planning to split and how much?

[jonLSS]

In answer to Steven P, I guess it probably amounts to max 2m3 over the year. Fills the log store and keeps us going through the winter with an open fire. Plan to get a log burner which will no doubt increase that.

Mix of wood, oak, beech, sycamore, ash and "odds and ends" all well seasoned. 

 

Just been watching this on the Crytek which actually looks better than I expected 

 

[GarethM]

Personally they're an absolute liability, you need your wits about you once you've pressed the go button and you need to really be concentrating.

 

Why not get a little vertical Thor type, safer and at table height, so no bending over and you can load while the wife does the splitting.

 

At only a few m3 a year keep logs less than a 12" and you'll fly through in an hour or two.

[Stere]

Yeah they deffo look  more lethal  with regards to loosing fingers .....

 

 

 

 

[Muddy42]

As above I've had a few bruises and surprises from kinetic splitters. Some hydraulic splitters are faster than others and sometimes its possible to restrict the travel of the ram (officially or unofficially) to reduce the waiting time?

[peds]

2m³ over the year... not an awful lot!

 

Can I ask why you don't want hydraulic? 2m³ is not a big ask for even a cheapo hydraulic... and they seem so much more finger-friendly! 

[Mark Bolam]

The kinetic ones are quick, but all the ones I’ve seen look like they’ll smash themselves to bits in no time.

 

And send those gnarly seasoned logs with loads of stored energy will fly around like hand grenades!