DR wood splitter question

DutchAcres · #1 10/06/08, 06:52 PM

I've heard a lot from homeowners (not people who SELL firewood) about the DR electric wood splitter. Does anyone have experience with this product? Could I expect to split 10 cords (4'x4'x8') per year and have it last me 10 years?

Am I better off paying for a gas model and putting up with the continuing fuel cost? What's the minimum size I need to process 10 cords a year (largest size 18", maple, pretty clear of knots). Most of the wood I split will probably be from tops.

Thanks.

Old Vet · #2 10/06/08, 10:11 PM

I have a wood splitter in the 22ton range gas model.i haven't run into anything that I can't split with it. I would suggest that you get at least a 20 ton and it doesn't make any difference whether it is electric or gas. The only thing about using gas is that you can use it anywhere. The motor will make enough pressure to operate it no matter what kind of motor is there.

lonelytree · #3 10/06/08, 10:41 PM

I sold them for 3 years. 10 cords would be very time consuming. The cycle rate is a bit slower than a gas model.

It is a great little splitter for inside use. Just a bit limited on power and speed.

tyusclan · #4 10/07/08, 05:13 AM

I have no experience with one, but it seems to me it would drive you insane with time it would take to split 10 cords with it.

Just as a thought, have you checked into the price of renting one in your area? I just rented one here this past weekend. At our rental place, if you pick it up after 3:00 on Friday and have it back by 9:00 Monday morning, it's just over $80.00 tax and all. All I had to do was refill the gas tank before I took it back. Even if I need to rent it twice a year, I can still rent one for ten years for what a new one would cost me, and they do all the maintenance, repair, and storage.

We only worked about 3 hours on Saturday morning, and about 3 hours Sunday afternoon after church. We split and stacked about 2 cords. With some help and a good hard workday, you should be able to easily split 5 cords a weekend.

DutchAcres · #5 10/07/08, 08:31 AM

Are DR wood splitters made in the USA? Does anyone know of splitters that are made here in the USA?

The 22-ton DR gas powered wood splitter looks like it sells for $1,900 plus $150 delivery.

PyroDon · #6 10/07/08, 08:41 AM

I was looking for a wood splitter earlier this year .
went to an auction and saw a homemade rinkydink splitter sell for 1150.
I was shocked .
we have a radio trading post in our area , so I called in looking for a 4x24 hydraulic cylinder to make a splitter out of , one of the calls I got was from a gentleman who had a complete 20 ton splitter that the motor was blown on .
so for $300 I bought it then put a $130 6.5HP harbor freight motor on it .
fairly simple fix. 4 blots to mount the motor , four more bolts and a coupler to mount the pump .

**GREENCOUNTYPETE** · #7 10/07/08, 12:49 PM

ram splitters are made in rockford ill i have been looking at one about 1000 for a 16 ton gas or electric , or more for both they are the same slpiter with your choice of gas or commertial electric motor

they even told me when i called if i tried electric and didn't like it they would trade me a gas motor for the electric one.

they also have them to 25 or 30 ton but they get more expensive

Old Vet · #8 10/07/08, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DutchAcres

Are DR wood splitters made in the USA? Does anyone know of splitters that are made here in the USA?

The 22-ton DR gas powered wood splitter looks like it sells for $1,900 plus $150 delivery.

What I have is a yard master 22ton it sells for about $1000 I found mine on sale at $950 a couple of years ago. It has a Brigs and Striation motor and the hydraulic parts are the same as any other log splitter. I bought mine at Home Depot.

fixer1958 · #9 10/07/08, 07:20 PM

I rented splitters one winter for about $80 a pop. Most were junk and not worth pulling them home.
I finally sprung for a 20 ton gas engine. I've had it for about 10 years now. Horizontal/vertical type.
Best thing I ever bought. It will split anything I put to it and I split mostly hedge. I hook it to the ATV and haul it to where it is easiest to split.

We can do a couple of years worth of wood in a few weekends. It sits in the shed in the off years ready to go.

Right now there is about 3 years worth that I did last fall and another truckload ready to be split.

My oldest wanted to make some extra cash and I wanted some junk trees out of the pasture, so I hauled it up to the splitting spot, cut it up, he split it and sold it for $100 a truckload and they haul it off.

I think it was about 20 some cords. He took $70 and me the rest.
My share bought the chains and fuel and I needed the workout.

It still starts right off and works as good as the day I bought it.

tyusclan · #10 10/07/08, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fixer1958

I rented splitters one winter for about $80 a pop. Most were junk and not worth pulling them home.
I finally sprung for a 20 ton gas engine. I've had it for about 10 years now. Horizontal/vertical type.
Best thing I ever bought. It will split anything I put to it and I split mostly hedge. I hook it to the ATV and haul it to where it is easiest to split.

This is exactly what I rent for $80 a weekend. I've been renting them for 3 years now, and they haven't failed to split anything I want to split.

I can rent it twice a year for a minimum of 10 years for what a new one costs. They do the upkeep, they do the service, and they store it all year. Unless I run up on a super deal on a used one, this is the route I'm going.

Old Vet · #11 10/07/08, 10:19 PM

When you figure the gas and wear and tear goto the store to rent and return (in my case 40miles) It soon became apparent that I wanted to own it. I also like the fact that I don't have to do it all in one weekend.

tyusclan · #12 10/08/08, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Vet

When you figure the gas and wear and tear goto the store to rent and return (in my case 40miles) It soon became apparent that I wanted to own it. I also like the fact that I don't have to do it all in one weekend.

Everyone has to decide what's best for his/her individual situation.

For me the wear and tear is a non-issue as I can pick it up after work on Friday and take it back Monday morning. If I didn't work in town, and had to make a special trip every time to get it and take it back, that would definitely be a factor in the decision.

Didn't mean to make it sound like I thought that was the only way to go. Just throwing it out as an option.

DutchAcres · #13 10/08/08, 09:50 AM

Thanks for the help folks.

I'm now looking at 20-ton models made by Troy-Bilt, DR and Timberwolf. The Timberwolf models seem to be well made, and from all reviews I can find, they have good product support and customer service.

There's a dealer I can visit a few hours away, so I'll go have a look.

I'm thinking about selling firewood as one source of farm income, so I think renting is out. But if it was just for my use, that's a great idea. It would be nice not to worry about storage or maintenance.

Does anyone own or has anyone used a Timberwolf wood splitter?

wdchuck · #14 10/20/08, 03:36 PM

For direct input and pictures on log splitters, there is quite a bunch of folks on http://www.arboristsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55 that have posted about their experiences, also, if you wanted to build your own, again, plenty of references. Do a search on the site for log splitters or timberwolf and get a comfy chair for the reading.

Sorry about such a late response, been out splitting with my speeco 25ton.

beehoppers · #15 10/20/08, 08:32 PM

We own a 20 ton Yard Man with 2 other families. Splitting the cost and maintenance 3 ways works out real well....