Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Equipment => Topic started by: Marleywood on August 26, 2017, 01:15:37 PM

Title: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Marleywood on August 26, 2017, 01:15:37 PM
I know this topic has been done before (yes, I did a search).  But each new season brings on new information, so, here we go!

I'm in the market for a splitter.  I'm getting a delivery from a local logger of recently felled timber (mixed hardwoods) in 16' sections.  I'm using it for an OWF, a Central Boiler, "The Classic" CL-5648.

I'm hoping to stay under $1,500, and ideally I'd like to pick it up from Lowe's or HD, but I'm open to what makes the most sense.

Looking forward to the discussion!

Marleywood
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: aarmga on August 26, 2017, 03:32:53 PM
I got my wood splitter from Menards for 700 bucks.  It is a brute 30 ton vertical/horizontal splitter.  At the time they had a good sale on the splitter 25% off plus another 11% instore credit.  Couldn't pass it up.

Personally I love the splitter from harbor freight that has the 2 way double sided wedge.  Seems to work super, you can find them on YouTube if you want to watch some videos.  There is a company up in Canada that my aunts brother in law owns called split fire, same concept as the harbor freight but much better built and more expensive.  Another that I really like is the rapid fire from DR.  It is a conetic energy splitter and is extremely fast (and dangerous) but that may be getting out of your price range.
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: FrozenMongrel on August 28, 2017, 09:34:07 PM
I've got this one and it's a beast of a splitter. I have yet to stall the bypass on it and the quick removable 4 way wedge is awesome for speeding up the splitting times. I've got about 6 cords of wood through mine and it just plain works. Way more heavy duty than anything I could find locally and a good price for brand new with a warranty.
https://www.logsplittersdirect.com/YardMax-YU3566-Log-Splitter/p68198.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_o7NBRDgARIsAKvAgt0AVHvlxxAiUaKKakxFwHWJg_UXo8_Dx9wSU7edfIIDhvAXppDExB4aAi9hEALw_wcB
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Marleywood on August 30, 2017, 06:41:15 AM
I've got this one and it's a beast of a splitter. I have yet to stall the bypass on it and the quick removable 4 way wedge is awesome for speeding up the splitting times. I've got about 6 cords of wood through mine and it just plain works. Way more heavy duty than anything I could find locally and a good price for brand new with a warranty.
https://www.logsplittersdirect.com/YardMax-YU3566-Log-Splitter/p68198.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_o7NBRDgARIsAKvAgt0AVHvlxxAiUaKKakxFwHWJg_UXo8_Dx9wSU7edfIIDhvAXppDExB4aAi9hEALw_wcB

Thanks Mongrel, that looks like a pretty awesome machine, I'm seriously considering it!
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: aarmga on August 30, 2017, 08:29:31 PM
That thing is pretty sweet frozen!  Pretty damn good price too, I might have to build me a wedge like that for mine! 

One question, is the opening actually 26" with the wedge all the way up or is it 26" minus the guard.
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Marleywood on September 02, 2017, 12:00:23 PM
Well, I ordered that YardMax unit, should be here next week some time.  I'll give a full report.
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: FrozenMongrel on September 03, 2017, 06:18:36 AM
Well, I ordered that YardMax unit, should be here next week some time.  I'll give a full report.

You'll really like it  :thumbup: The only thing to check that I didn't when I received mine is the hydraulic fittings and the bolts on the valve handle. I needed to snug up a couple of them after a few hours of running it. Haven't had to touch them since, so I'm guessing they weren't quite tight when I got it.
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Marleywood on September 04, 2017, 07:03:56 AM
You'll really like it  :thumbup: The only thing to check that I didn't when I received mine is the hydraulic fittings and the bolts on the valve handle. I needed to snug up a couple of them after a few hours of running it. Haven't had to touch them since, so I'm guessing they weren't quite tight when I got it.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll check them when I get it.
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Marleywood on September 20, 2017, 07:14:17 AM
I've got the splitter and assembled it, but have only "test drove" is on a few pieces of seasoned wood I had lying around.  This thing is a BEAST.  There is an assembly video on-line that covers the 25 & 28 ton models.  Assembly is more-or-less the same for the 35 ton as well, but Jiminy Cricket is the beam assembly heavy!  I tried to get it out of the shipping crate and standing upright with just my wife's help (she's a trooper), but it almost went badly.  It's really too heavy for two people to do IMO.  I wound up using my tractor to hoist it up.  You also need to pay attention to how the beam is hoisted in relation to the hydraulic hoses, or you'll cause yourself some issue getting it properly oriented.  I'm going to start chain sawing up my big wood in the next few days and will give a more detailed report.

I have looked at the machines they sell at the big box stores, and can safely say that for the money, this thing is a much better value.  I did notice Tractor Supply had some units out front the other day, but I'd already ordered the YardMax, and have no regrets (thus far, knock on weed, pun intended)
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: 5050racing on December 27, 2017, 05:35:45 PM
One word China!! Yard max this country will never be great if you find that word on it,you get what you pay for ,Me iron n oak (Brave) made in the great USA!!! I will deal with the Honda motor everyone knows what that means it will always run.
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Marleywood on February 20, 2018, 09:06:52 AM
So, my splitter is outside (covered) here in central New Hampshire this winter.  I understand the hydraulic fluid can get rather viscous in the cold, and I don't want to damage the machine by using it when it's too cold old.  Any insights on this from the pros?
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Crow on February 20, 2018, 12:57:28 PM
 I don't think you will have any issues with it. Hydraulic fluid isn't like molasses,lol. If you're prepared to work outside I'm sure the splitter will be just fine. I let mine warm up a few minutes, then I'll cycle the hydraulics a couple of times and even the first couple of blocks I will pick a couple of easy ones to get the fluid warmed up. Then its wide open for as long as either of us has gas to go.
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Pointblank on February 20, 2018, 06:09:51 PM
I don't think you will have any issues with it. Hydraulic fluid isn't like molasses,lol. If you're prepared to work outside I'm sure the splitter will be just fine. I let mine warm up a few minutes, then I'll cycle the hydraulics a couple of times and even the first couple of blocks I will pick a couple of easy ones to get the fluid warmed up. Then its wide open for as long as either of us has gas to go.

This is exactly what i'd do. Let it run partial throttle for a few minutes,  cycle the ram a few times, then go easy on it for a bit til everything gets up to temp.
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Crow on February 21, 2018, 05:51:28 AM
Another option would be to go to your local auto supply or farm equipment supplier and get a magnetic block heater.
FIL uses one with a small generator when he parks his tractor in the bush.
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: BoilerHouse on February 21, 2018, 09:15:35 AM
I built a splitter and used 32 wt hydraulic oil.  The splitter lives outside 24/7.  This year, it worked OK even at -20 C.  (Fine for the equipment, not so fine for the operator LOL)

Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Marleywood on February 21, 2018, 10:32:18 AM
Thanks for the feedback, guess I've got no excuses for getting out there and splitting some more wood!

Another option would be to go to your local auto supply or farm equipment supplier and get a magnetic block heater.
FIL uses one with a small generator when he parks his tractor in the bush.
[/quote

That would take electricity, I assume?  My woodyard is a ways away from any power. 
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Crow on February 21, 2018, 12:09:55 PM
Yup. A generator or a lot of extension cords. Lol.
It was an option only if you're concerned about fluid viscosity. I would just let it warm up, working it half throttle for a few minutes before getting into full throttle mode. Gets both of you warmed up ready for the work out. ;)
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Farmer Rob on February 22, 2018, 03:38:14 AM
Yup. A generator or a lot of extension cords. Lol.
It was an option only if you're concerned about fluid viscosity. I would just let it warm up, working it half throttle for a few minutes before getting into full throttle mode. Gets both of you warmed up ready for the work out. ;)
Crow. On a different matter might I ask how you like the P&M unit 28-40?
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Crow on February 22, 2018, 07:21:12 AM
Farmer Rob, it's the only one I have owned or operated so can't compare with another one. But I really like it. This is the 5th season with it heating 1500 sq ft bungalow with full basement and hot water. It's slightly oversized because I planned on heating the garage but never got there yet. Only issue I had was the original firebrick they used for the grates were smaller and would move around, I have replaced them with the now standard ones. Other than the first season, I start burning early November and usually shut down end of April and have yet to burn more than 5 cord/season. It's very user friendly and easy to clean.
What unit do you have now and where are you located?
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Farmer Rob on February 22, 2018, 11:35:24 AM
Crow
 I do not have one yet as am looking on getting one this summer if all goes well I heat at the moment with just a Drolet wood stove the entire old farm house.I want the unit to heat 2 houses and perhaps a shed where I park the snow blower tractor,am even thinking of putting the unit into the shed so I do not have to deal with blowing winds while filling it up. I am located in Dundalk Ontario (west of Barrie)
Title: Re: Wood Splitter Recommendation?
Post by: Crow on February 22, 2018, 12:16:14 PM
 If you were closer  you could have had a look at it, but Barrie to my place is a bit of a drive. If you give PM a call they should be able to give you a few names of owners who can let you see one in operation. Same for the other manufacturers, they should be able to get some contacts. Good luck, and if you find yourself heading out my way let me know, I could probably show you a neighbour's 34-44 with shaker grate too.