log splitters

[sylvestris stew]

Anyone got any thoughts on where to get a decent log splitter, petrol or deisel driven.

 

I see plenty elec. ones on the bay and asume they're no use:thumbdown: anyone got any experience to prove me wrong.

[Frank]

I am also on the lookout. HELP Please.

[log supplier]

i made one from an old transit tipper ram and sub frame about 3 years ago.. took alittle welding together but worked a treat....

welded 2 splitting axe heads to the end of the ram... split anything..

used to run off 12v battery charger (with battery) and had no worrys about running costs...was very quiet as well..

heres one from an auction site

[Chris Sheppard]

I like the idea of the a frame - have seen ones like that where the bed is on some sort of big bearing so you can spin the disc around as you split it.

 

If you're lokking to split arb waste then IMO a vertical with 1m stroke and an adjustable height table will handle most stuff depending on pressure. Splitting big discs on a hroizontal takes some doing (try balancing a saucer on it's side!) but on long lengths theyre great.

 

Would tend not to bother with diesel - generally noisy, smoky and expensive usually - petrol ones don't use that much fuel and are fairly quiet.

 

Generally you do get what you pay for but there are exceptions - try to buy something thats going to be big enough to deal with whatever timber you may be dealing with in the future (don't forget if you want to use a 4 way knife then you'll need a decent amount of pressure unless it's all fairly straight grained timber.) and don't be tempted to skimp if you're using it commercially, as a professional machine will generally be built completely different to a domestic one. There are some good semi pro machines out there too.

 

One other thing to bear in mind is that you want to have something that's going to be backed up with a warranty and also have good spares availablitity.

Edited January 14, 2009 by Chris Sheppard

[sylvestris stew]

Some good pointers, thanks

 

I wouldn't bother gettin one , but the wife's back ain't what it used to be!!!

[Chris Sheppard]

LOL

 

funny you should say that - we've been getting lots more enquiries on the domestic ones and it's usually the wife's that phone up for them - He saws and she splits!

[Topcat]

I've used a 7 ton electric for god knows how long.Splits everything we bring back.Works vertiacl,horizontal or at 45%. Women can use it easy,like a washine machine.Push button and off you go,No smelly petrol or where's the choke.forget it,it wont start. Like wise we get quiet a few jobs where the wood stays and the customer hires the splitter

off us for the wkend. Came from Richard at fuelwood and I got a dealer rate so paid less than £500.