Topic 'Re: A new take on log splitters.' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:08:38 EDT

tschmidt posted :

I would think releasing wood smoke into the atmosphere anywhere would be a health risk. All new pollution adds to that already there.

The major emission from burning wood is particulates. They precipitate out pretty quickly. As such they don't build up in the atmosphere. The problem in urban areas is density so ppm becomes a problem.

Agree on balance wood heat's positives outweigh its negatives.

/tom

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:49:41 EDT

Jack_in_VA posted :

said by tschmidt:

said by Nick_L:

I didn't know anyone heated (their primary residence) with wood anymore.

It is pretty common here in NH especially with the advent of pellet stoves. A lot more now then thirty years ago when we built our house.

Certainly not for everyone and wood smoke while quaint in a rural setting is a serious health risk urban areas.

I like having a couple of years of cord wood stacked up and knowing no matter what else happens at least we be be warm.

/tom

I would think releasing wood smoke into the atmosphere anywhere would be a health risk. All new pollution adds to that already there.

Personally I think the use of wood outweighs the adverse effects.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:27:51 EDT

tschmidt posted :

said by Nick_L:

I didn't know anyone heated (their primary residence) with wood anymore.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:10:01 EDT

Nick_L posted : Wow, I must really lead a cosmopolitan lifestyle ;-)

I had NO idea that there were this many people tha still heat with wood. Hell, it's 2012, I didn't know anyone heated (their primary residence) with wood anymore.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:48:05 EDT

iknow posted : one main difference between the flywheel and hydraulic splitters is the size engine needed, a hydraulic splitter needs a much larger engine, since the energy stored in a flywheel, and dumped quickly, is not used. the flywheel splitters with the blade mounted on the flywheel are MUCH more dangerous than the DR model, as the wood wants to leap up into the cutter when split.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:53:41 EDT

tschmidt posted : I had no idea there was such diversity in wood splitters.

The first one "Dad's Wood Splitter" is pretty neat, takes advantage of both strokes.

/tom

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:13:23 EDT

Tig posted : The stall question was separate from the comment about putting body parts in harms way. I was just wondering how well it deals with wood that is too tough.
My favorite splitter vid.

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bVAAx3mMKY

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:50:27 EDT

cdru posted :

said by Tig:

Impressive, but I cringe when I see someone put a hand, finger or arm in between ram, wood and knife.

If a finger was between the ram and wood, it would pinch at least or crush at worst with the flywheel splitter. With a hydraulic, it would pinch at worst or crush at worst by the time the scream was heard and pressure was released. Either way, the finger probably isn't going to be very useful for some time if ever. Pinching/crushing only takes a split second and both methods are equally capable of doing it faster than what one would likely react.

If the finger was between the wedge and the wood, it's gone either way.

Moral of the story, if you're splitting, you have to be aware. And NEVER put your fingers were they could be pinched.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:45:46 EDT

Doctor Olds posted :

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbYp0bVn4pI

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6aQm-BSRtI

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=QII-hubgffI

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7QPak4Qw88

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:29:44 EDT

Tig posted :

said by KrK:

(youtube clip)
video shows some tougher stuff.

Impressive, but I cringe when I see someone put a hand, finger or arm in between ram, wood and knife.
At 2:45, when it stalls, what gives? Does the belt slip or is there a clutch?

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:22:40 EDT

Tig posted : The DR rapid fire looks nice.
To me the drawback would be serviceability. Hydraulic parts can be found easily, six days a week.
I always liked the Splitfires.
»www.split-fire.com/splitter_vide···ery.html

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:38:29 EDT

stev32k posted :

said by ropeguru:

Yeah. I would like to see how it splits a piece of gum (not chewing gum).

You got that right. Gum grows in a spiral there is no straight grain in it and hitting a log with a maul is like hitting a bed spring.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:01:48 EDT

Radio Active posted : I'm with nunya; beats a maul. Wish I'd had one back in the day.

My Summers would have been a lot more fun. :)

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:51:39 EDT

Lurch77 posted : Not too bad. A little trouble with those tough pieces, but it eventually got them, and it didn't take much time. I think everything but the biggest hydraulic units would struggle too. As far as ability goes, I wouldn't give it a demerit. It still comes down to the price for me.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:50:28 EDT

ropeguru posted : Yeah. I would like to see how it splits a piece of gum (not chewing gum).

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:52:52 EDT

KrK posted :

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuAYeTNwI-o

This video shows some tougher stuff.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:55:05 EDT

iknow posted :

said by Lurch77:

Look at this limb mangling design. The last video is a clean example of this design, and shows it the best.

(youtube clip)

wow, that's crazy dangerous. way too easy to split your hand or arm. notice the logs kick up and want to draw your body in.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:36:53 EDT

Lurch77 posted : Look at this limb mangling design. The last video is a clean example of this design, and shows it the best.

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_uYlGAP2ng

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmtMv7Cz···=related

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BpAhGSF···=related

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:07:28 EDT

robbin posted :

said by stev32k:

If you want a real wood splitter check out this one.

How much wood could a Bobcat split if a Bobcat could split wood?
A Bobcat could split more than a Woodchuck could chuck if a Woodchuck could chuck wood!

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:02:25 EDT

tschmidt posted : We heat with cord wood and go through about 2-1/2 cords a year. Over the years I've toyed with the though about buying or building a splitter but I actually enjoy splitting wood. Would be different if we needed a lot more but for me this is a manageable amount.

I think of it as a free gym membership. If I'm going to work up a sweat I like to be doing something useful, beside there is a certain therapeutic aspect of splitting wood.

/tom
fixed typo

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:42:23 EDT

stev32k posted :

said by Lurch77:

The video a few before your post is a homemade version that seems very similar. I wonder if the DR operates the same. He engages the lever and then lets it go. No need to hang onto it once engaged.

I thought that was interesting also, but the thing I wondered about is why the wedge at the end of the beam that does the splitting was not taller. It looks like both the ram, pushing the log, and the wedge needed to be taller to handle the larger diameter logs.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:28:10 EDT

Lurch77 posted :

said by Doctor Olds:

said by 49528867:

said by Doctor Olds:

The pinion will kick the rack up dramatically and that reaction could break your arm is what my opinion tells me from studying the design as it is direct drive by the down force of your arm.

The down force is provided by a double lever system actuated by the operating handle and has nothing to do with the operators arm.

I'll have to take your word for that as the video doesn't show any details you posted about...

The video a few before your post is a homemade version that seems very similar. I wonder if the DR operates the same. He engages the lever and then lets it go. No need to hang onto it once engaged.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:20:43 EDT

iknow posted :

said by stev32k:

If you want a real wood splitter check out this one.

(youtube clip)

was it home depot or lowes that sells those?.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:58:08 EDT

nunya posted : That is AWESOME!

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:46:09 EDT

stev32k posted : If you want a real wood splitter check out this one.

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeanPDO-D6M

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:27:08 EDT

Doctor Olds posted :

said by 49528867:

said by Doctor Olds:

The pinion will kick the rack up dramatically and that reaction could break your arm is what my opinion tells me from studying the design as it is direct drive by the down force of your arm.

The down force is provided by a double lever system actuated by the operating handle and has nothing to do with the operators arm.

I'll have to take your word for that as the video doesn't show any details you posted about...
--
What�s the point of owning a supercar if you can�t scare yourself stupid from time to time?

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:34:07 EDT

49528867 posted :

said by Doctor Olds:

The pinion will kick the rack up dramatically and that reaction could break your arm is what my opinion tells me from studying the design as it is direct drive by the down force of your arm.

The down force is provided by a double lever system actuated by the operating handle and has nothing to do with the operators arm.

Wayne
--
"It is sobering to reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence." - Charles A. Beard

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:24:33 EDT

jester121 posted : I have absolutely no use for anything DH makes, but I love their commercials -- gravel graders, bush hogs, log splitters. Plus, they'll send you one to use for free for 6 months.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:44:33 EDT

Duramax08 posted :

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=256rBriI···=related

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:32:28 EDT

exocet_cm posted : For that price there is no push to start?

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:05:25 EDT

Spork posted :

said by cowboyro:

Interesting that it has 28HP of *force*.
Last time I checked HP was a measurement unit for *power* (mechanical work per unit of time)

Exactly!
--
"Every once in a while, declare peace....it confuses the hell out of your enemies."

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:28:23 EDT

fifty nine posted :

said by ke4pym:

said by JTY:

Pretty neat, and certainly faster than hydraulic. That said, not sure the speed would make much difference. When my dad and I split wood, the splitter was never really a bottleneck.

Agreed. Several years ago my Dad purchased the 27 ton Honda powered splitter from Lowes and it has been awesome. We'll tow it all over the place to split and pickup wood.

The time it takes to retract is never an issue. There's plenty else to do while it is doing its thing if you're doing it right.

Just wish we had one of those things when I was a kid. I HATED splitting wood then. Now, I'm all over it!

Yep, how I do it is that I don't really push the splitter down all the way. I push it enough to crack the wood open then retract it. Very fast. I split our 5+ cords of wood last summer this way, easy.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:26:42 EDT

fifty nine posted :

said by patcat88:

Why not use a wood chipper? You get plenty of compost.

We use wood to heat (EPA certified high efficiency wood stove). I have no use for wood chips.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:43:04 EDT

Subaru posted : Yay they switched to the Subaru engine :)

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:29:51 EDT

wth posted :

said by Lurch77:

I imagine the belt drive would be the weak point.

Or maybe the bar with the teeth bows up off the pinion gear, then you get a real loud noise. :o Hard to tell what would happen. »www.drpower.com/standardcontent.···features

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:17:25 EDT

cowboyro posted : Interesting that it has 28HP of *force*.
Last time I checked HP was a measurement unit for *power* (mechanical work per unit of time)

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:45:41 EDT

ke4pym posted :

said by JTY:

Pretty neat, and certainly faster than hydraulic. That said, not sure the speed would make much difference. When my dad and I split wood, the splitter was never really a bottleneck.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:18:46 EDT

Doctor Olds posted :

said by pende_tim:

HAving split a fair amount of firewood in my day this looks fast. There may be 1 flaw in the design however.

This appears to be a direct drive system and all the logs shown are nice and straight grained, no knots or ingrown branches. What happens if the pusher has to push through a section of wood that requires more than 28T of force?

The pinion will kick the rack up dramatically and that reaction could break your arm is what my opinion tells me from studying the design as it is direct drive by the down force of your arm. That's a lot of energy to get a full kick-back in the opposite direction when you are not expecting it.
--
What�s the point of owning a supercar if you can�t scare yourself stupid from time to time?

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:10:55 EDT

Duramax08 posted : Now thats some fancy stuff.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:19:47 EDT

cableties posted : I won't knock Dr. Power (they are in Vermont? I pass by their Vergennes location couple times a year and never realized it was THAT Dr Power) and this might be great for some, but it's not cheap. And not for everyone...

I've a 25Ton, Yardmachines, splitter. It does Vertical and Horizontal positions. The problem with horizontal is you are limited to log size (width) as they get HEAVY to lift up (aka back breaker and I don't care how good a shape you are in; if splitting several cords, its alot of work).

With Vertical splitting, I've rocked into the plane a 40" diameter Willow Oak trunk (no, I didn't fell the 100' tree, but I did split it all and white oak is one of the toughest...) and split it (that splitter cracked the trunk enough to pacman it and split. From there, it was just half then half then half. No way that Dr Power would have done that. Sure its slow, but then it gives me a break to breath ;)

After 7 years, new filter, fresh hydraulic fluid, and sharpening the wedge, it still splits. And tecumsa motor still starts.

That was a $900 splitter then. Oh, and tip: if you ever buy a splitter from HomeDepot DO NOT allow them to assemble it. Call YardMachines (there is an 800# on the book) and they will assist you. Home Depot has untrained workers assembling these incorrectly (they put the lines under the rail, defeating the vert/hor positioning, never tightened wedge bolts, etc...). And know that those wheels are NOT highway rated so towing it on the road is under 40mph only. I put the unit in the back of the truck (via ramp and help).

Now if Dr Power made this in a vertical... ;)
--
Splat

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:02:45 EDT

pende_tim posted : The drive belt would slip eventually however what happens to all the kinetic energy stored in the flywheel when the ram hits the immovable object?
--
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 07:44:58 EDT

Lurch77 posted : I imagine the belt drive would be the weak point.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 06:46:02 EDT

pende_tim posted : HAving split a fair amount of firewood in my day this looks fast. There may be 1 flaw in the design however.

This appears to be a direct drive system and all the logs shown are nice and straight grained, no knots or ingrown branches. What happens if the pusher has to push through a section of wood that requires more than 28T of force?

With a hydraulic system the relief opens and it stalls out; a spinning flywheel solid gear coupled to the pusher, not so much. I hope there is a detent clutch in there somewhere.
--
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:37:15 EDT

Pacrat posted : It's not terribly efficient to burn wood chips in a fireplace!!!

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:35:07 EDT

Juggernaut posted :

said by patcat88:

Why not use a wood chipper? You get plenty of compost.

Because it's a log-splitter...? :hmm:
--
Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:39:53 EDT

patcat88 posted : Why not use a wood chipper? You get plenty of compost.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:15:08 EDT

jkj860 posted : Although the speed would be nice, It would not be worth the difference in price for me. But I would only be using it for personal use and not commercial.
--
I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I am not sure you realize what you heard is not what I meant. Nixon

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:58:57 EDT

JTY posted : Pretty neat, and certainly faster than hydraulic. That said, not sure the speed would make much difference. When my dad and I split wood, the splitter was never really a bottleneck.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:48:20 EDT

robbin posted : We've bought a number of machines from DR over the years (20 or more) and they build quality machines.

Re: A new take on log splitters.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:28:06 EDT

nunya posted : Beats a maul. The only thing I hate more than splitting wood is painting.
I'm getting too old for splitting wood. That's young mans work.
--
...because I care.