craigblues

2 hours ago, doobin said:

Those opicos looks great, just a bit too wide for me. Really tempted by a secondhand one but decided to spend double on a new Sherpa and know that I can get it in more back gardens. 

I’ve got a Skidster. Absolutely love it! I’ve got two sets of wheels. Grass wide and narrow ones. Fits through a gate way with ease!

27 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

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.

 

Hi,

I have managed to adjust mine. I have got it setup so either handle will operate the ram with single handle use. But only the right handle will auto return the ram. I'm happy with this. I have used it in horizontal and vertical position. To be honest, it works well in vertical. Only thing with using it in horizontal poison, I've found it almost needs another drop leg to stabilise it. Therefore Ive been putting a log underneath the bottom end.

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.

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.

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.

Oh okay. No way of improving it further then. But is the Venom 22T with table, 22T ES are the same setup pretty much so why is the one with table quicker? The ES was meant to be replacing the other so surely it was an improved design aswell as meeting the EU legs.

15 minutes ago, Vedhoggar said:

Craigblues -two stage pump more efficient and ram has less distance to travel.

Am I right in thinking its a single stage from new?

9 minutes ago, Vedhoggar said:

Craigblues - with you now, my apologies as didn't realise there was a 20T Venom meter version (quite a saving £600). If you haven't used the ES 22T and feel the meter version would meet your needs better they might take back the one you purchased as decent lot to deal ... plenty power but on the slow side.

I’d imagine the metre version would be slower due to the extra travel distance. I think they come with a single stage pump, wonder if a two stage would make it quicker. Unsure if it would or if possible.

58 minutes ago, Vedhoggar said:

Craigblues you said "I wondered if I should of got the metre cutting length version" it depends on your process and how/where machine will be used, as well as budget. Smaller machines are lighter/easier to move around and it's also physically easier moving <60cm lengths of wood into position to split as well as stacking shorter billets. If dealing with a lot of open grown trees as found in gardens, farmland trees or arb waste there's often not a lot straight 1m lengths of cordwood in my experience. On the other hand if plantation grown wood and billets are to be sawn later say with a circular drum saw or processor then better with longer 1m splitting length. Cost also a big factor with some small road tow machines costing as little as £1,500 compared to >£5,000 for a good 1m road tow machine but they can be significantly faster to operate (AMR 12t with Honda engine impressive speed wise). 

All good points. I was referring to the Rock Machinery version 20t 1 metre splitting length with hydraulic lift from horizontal to vertical due to size and weight as it was £1600 (in sale apparently) compared to the ES 22t version I bought for £1500.

Thanks! Love everyone builds little handles to operate the two handle feature.

Well fingers crossed mine is arriving tomorrow. Which is quicker than I thought so happy days! Then I’ll have to work out what’s needed on the micro switch and also to make it easy operation with one handle.

Have wondered if I should of got the metre cutting length version. But heavier, bigger so has its downsides.

Does the 22T ES have auto return by the way?

I just completely misunderstood. Not the first and no doubt won’t be the last. Ha!

Well id love to see the splitter in action from a normal person and not a sales advert.

Think I’ll be pressing the buy button this week.

4 hours ago, Vedhoggar said:

We split mainly 50-60 cm long rounds into billets that would mostly be too heavy to lift manually, these are then stacked off the ground to season and later cut with circular saw into 20cm, 25cm, 30cm log lengths as required or sold as 50cm billets. If splitting smaller dia logs (<30cm) the 4 parts splitting knife could be used but we generally another machine for this.

 

The lifting bracket ("the chain thing on the right hand side" you asked about) we don't use much, the lifting bracket lifts log as the cylinder rises but this doesn't need to be engaged (might have video of this in action). We use log pick (hookaroon) and lifting tongs (Bachco 270mm jaw opening) a lot instead of lifting bracket as quicker.

 

Machine is used for both home and commercial purposes.

Oooo we all love a video of “In Action” ha!

yes I think I’ve made my mind up that the 22t ES is the way to go for the saving plus the added bits you get on the more expensive model won’t really benefit me, and if I really want them can probably fabricate something to work.

Bahco 270mm, my old man used to work for Bahco, so know the products very well. Presume you mean the adjustable spanner?

I spoke to Rock, and they confirmed that the machine can be used vertically or horizontally by just removing the microswitch. Also offered to throw in the 4way splitter but to use it sensibly.

5 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

In my research before buying one they seem to have a very tight control of quality in china and have a man over there overseeing the production. I dont think the Splitters are generic but I think their Stump grinders are, but built to their spec and QC. 

Fair enough. Cant argue with that. A friend saw them at APF one year and the machines looked good quality. He nearly bought one but then built his own instead as he likes to dabble and found a spare RAM he could use for it.

Just now, trigger_andy said:

That was my thinking as well. Get one before they go! The added benefit is they have them in stock right now. The regular 22t has a huge backlog of orders. 

Well I did speak to them today about the 22T £1900 version, they received them in yesterday but were busy building them (doing up a few bolts and sticking their branding on I'm guessing, ha!) apparently for backorders and expected a 2 week wait for delivery on any new orders but couldn't guarantee if there would be any left from this new batch.

Just now, trigger_andy said:

I will do when I get home.  The ES was built in preparation for the EU regulations that would have come into force here had we joined the EU. When we left the EU they where stuck with a bunch of 22t splitter with useless and unwanted safety features but ones that can easily be overridden. This is going by what they told me on the phone, could all be BS but rings true to me.  

 

Horizontal splitting will be or is banned in the EU supposedly. To save folks backs from lifting big rounds onto the machine. Vertical only. I'll use the vertical for big rounds and horizontal for everything else. 

If this is the case, I'll definitely keen in that model. Plus the extra saving means can make/modify the other bits myself if I feel I need them.

7 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

should not be to hard to work out the accuracy of the force. pressure times area = force and all that. 

 

https://logsplitterplans.com/calculators/hydraulic-cylinder-force-calculator.htm

 

Oooo that might have to be some daytime reading.? I'll geek out tomorrow. ha!

7 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

£1900 was more than I was willing to spend. The ES is a 22t, but £1500. Its virtually the same machine once you remove the micro-switch stopping the horizontal operation, as per the EU directive. The only thing missing from the ES is the table, but Ill fab my own one up.

I might have to get you to send me some pics of the micro switch. ? Why don't they want you using it horizontally in EU, but the other model you can? Whats the added extra which then makes it meet EU regs for horizontal use?

7 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

Ive just bought the 22t ES Spec Splitter. Its sitting in my garage but I'll be away another 3-4 weeks so will not get a chance to play with it till then. It was originally £2250, then £1850 and finally down to £1500. Mainly due to the excessive safety features the EU imposed on Splitter, or will be soon. but as we're not in the EU any longer we dont need to follow their retard laws any more.  

 

So the 22t ES can only split in the vertical, but this is easily overridden by removing the micro-switch. The two handled operation on this particular machine is one of the simplest to override. Drill a hole in the shaft on the left hand side of the machine 1" further up the shaft and pop a pin in to lock it out. Job done. 

 

Ask them to throw the 4 way Splitting head in for free and they will do. Its no longer stocked by them and they accept no come back on it if and when you kill it. Seems like folk have been using the 4 way on large rounds when its more suited to 13" and below. 

 

The £1500 includes delivery and I assume the tank is full of oil? Its really a cracking price considering its road tow. Yes only to 45mph but I think Ive read a bearing change and its good to 60mph. Which I'm sure it is anyway, I doubt I'll stick to 45mph when I lend it to mates etc. 

 

I too was gonna get the 20t meter one, but once I learned you can mill in the horizontal with the 22t I never spent much time looking at the 20t. It looks very unstable and you cant road tow it. 

Thanks Andy! Good to hear, I had looked at that one too. Lots of people rave about the 22t version “bomb proof” they say. You get the added features of some small indespension springs on the wheels, work table too. And I suppose 2T more pressure. Still unsure how accurate those figures are.

It is £1899 instead of £1500 though. Can’t decide if worth the extra.

22 minutes ago, youngsbury said:

Forgot to mention it’s the v series of splitter so not technically road legal but only use it on the estate ! and never came with a table 

Oh okay! So it’s their “value” model. That definitely interesting as that’s also what I was trying to weigh up, if the extra £500 was worth it or not.

7 minutes ago, youngsbury said:

Yep got 22T venom at work good bit of kit ! Modified the two hand operation to single and built side table on it and it’s all good. 

Fair enough. It goes with a work table on it already, I’m guessing you extended it. Yes my only concern is the ram seems quite slow from the video I saw but maybe that’s normal.

Hi All,

I've had a search and found a few threads relating to this but not quite found the answer.

I'm looking at a log splitter, have been browsing the web, considered making my own (with some help) but come across the 20t meter long and 22t venom log splitter by Rock Machinery. Does anyone have either of these machines? £1500-£1900 on a trailer can be used horizontally or vertically. Downside is towing 45mph, but most likely own to be used around the home, or I'll push it onto another trailer to take to place I'll be splitting.

Admittedly it is more than I was considering but I very much prefer to buy something decent rather than moan about buying cheap and end up selling and buying something better.

Any advice and thoughts would be greatly received.

Hi All,

I'm on the hunt currently for a mini skid loader, that will accept the multi attachments. Ideally a second hand one in good condition. Open to brands, but wondered if anyone would share their recommendations. Ideally I'd like it to go through a gate way. I've been looking at Kanga, Opico, Boxer and Giant. Few Chinese ones about. Problem is they come up on eBay occasionally but usually dodgy listings from people abroad annoyingly.

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

54 minutes ago, swinny said:

I was looking... There was a really rough one at 3500 plus vat then a lot cleaner one around 7500.00

 

Bought a mini digger and grab in the end. Lot better for me

Out of interest, where did you see them? I’m on the look out at moment. Lots of dodgy ads on eBay.

Did you have any luck finding one?