I always forget about that, some prefer the wedge on the beam. It makes sense for higher production and if you have a conveyor its definitely what you need. I tried it the opposite way, an old Didier, and I could live with either way, just have to set up how you like, worst thing about doing firewood is working off the ground, nice to have everything set up to avoid it.
The only issue I would have is the gnarly grained wood. I did a large elm tree with a friend, using that Didier, it was a lot of extra work, pieces get jammed, hard to get off, use other pieces to block and push through. Then having to re-feed the piece you are working on, large ones want to roll off the beam, no tray or catcher on this one. The huskee and similar have that gusset to catch the log when you retract, so that takes care of the stuck ones at least.
I see the timberwolf and similar class of higher end splitters have the table on the end, which is nice if you have to run the piece through a few times, ideally nice to match the logs to the wedges you can use and just let it push through to a conveyor, just have to load it. Straight wood helps too LOL !
I don't really care for the vertical position of the ones that do both, being too close to the ground, working bent over etc., so I use it horizontally. Some of these just have a beam or small catches to hold a log, don't like those, you need a table or something, even the log catcher on the huskee is ok, could be larger and have a return edge, engine vibration will shake pieces off and it can hit the filter housing. I put a clamp on the one side to stop that.
I use the loader bucket for blocks, full bucket will keep you busy awhile, I also place the split wood in heavy duty old school jackson wheel barrows, as well as gingerly placing same in the 2 gardenway carts I have, wheel to the stack and the only bending over is when you start the stack, before you know it, its at a comfortable height. One tool I really like is the Lockhart Log Gripper from Bailey's, really handy and very helpful.
I don't see too many of the higher end splitters listed used, but see the ads for new, modern homeowner types, horizontal/vertical, are common, so are the old "low rider" types like the Didier, and there are just as many home built ones too. I saw one with a larger engine on it and it had 2 splitting stations ! It was really interesting, well built, I'd have one side with the wedge on the ram, and the other with one on the beam, each for a purpose LOL !
It's always great to see what people build or how they process their wood, I can totally see a custom build from scratch to meet a need, to save labor etc.
Well regardless, hopefully you get yours set up to meet the need, post back when its done, the firewood is piled mile high and its tucked away for the winter LOL !
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - 12-Volt Conversions for 4-Cylinder Ford 2000 & 4000 Tractors - by Tommy Duvall. After two summers of having to park my old 1964 model 4000 gas 4 cyl. on a hill just in case the 6 volt system, for whatever reason, would not crank her, I decided to try the 12 volt conversion. After some research of convert or not, I decided to go ahead, the main reason being that this tractor was a working tractor, not a show tractor (yet). I did keep everything I replaced for the day I do want to restore her to showroom condition.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.