Tell us the pros and cons of this splitter

[Ed Kennell 44,903]

15 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

inspect or replace with a better design

Will do..thanks.    I did have to retorque the pump mounting bolts  that vibrated loose after many years of use.   Most of my wood is from 5+ year old dead trees so they are dry when I cut them.   If I do get a live green blow down, I do split  smaller  to speed drying.

[Ed Kennell 44,903]

I just took a closer look at the 2 way design.    With the splitter wedge cantilevered 6-10 inches above the cylinder, seems there has to be some large loads on the splitter slide system.    Do we know what it uses for bearings to take these loads?

[WHX?? 55,025]

30 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

yes I use a moisture meter.

Yer nuts and a waste of time.  Gramps didn't have one and he hand split way before us. A veteran wood stoker can tell the dryness by end fractures and time under a COVERED stack. Different for brand of species ... hardwood softwood etc. Heck burn green pine you like to clean chimneys. 

 

What brought this on Big Unit? Weren't you the guy just looking for better cycle times on what you have? 

[Ed Kennell 44,903]

10 hours ago, cafoose said:

 Thinking it could be used as a press with the right adapters?

You got the wheels turning Chuck.   

[cafoose 3,595]

1 minute ago, Ed Kennell said:

You got the wheels turning Chuck.   

Be sure to let us know how you do it 

[WHX?? 55,025]

Do sound like Pullstart now 'foose 

[ebinmaine 77,357]

14 hours ago, Wayne0 said:

Looks pretty good, Eric. A bit pricey, especially with the 4 way wedge. I'm not sure about the 2 way splitting. TSC or HF seams to be a better value. Add a 4 way from the jungle for reasonable $. My $.02

 

We haven't had the greatest experiences with TSC or HF but to save a few hundred dollars it's worth a look.  

I dont see a TSC that's dual action though. 

The HF would be about $1130 but has one SERIOUS downfall in that it is NOT certified for road towing. 

And neither of us is a predator fan...

 

The one Trina's looking at can be had for just under $1700 delivered and has a KOHLER engine. 

Is the extra $570 worth it? I dunno.  

 

On that 4 way wedge, if you can share a link for a direct fit I'd be interested. 

 

[ebinmaine 77,357]

9 hours ago, WHX?? said:

What brought this on Big Unit? Weren't you the guy just looking for better cycle times on what you have? 

 

Absolutely.  

The FRAME of the existing unit is still good. 

However the rest of the entire system would have to be replaced. 

Engine. Pump. Valves. Hoses. Cylinder.  

 

Not an equal comparison.  

[ebinmaine 77,357]

10 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

I just took a closer look at the 2 way design.    With the splitter wedge cantilevered 6-10 inches above the cylinder, seems there has to be some large loads on the splitter slide system.    Do we know what it uses for bearings to take these loads?

 

Not yet.  Excellent point and one we'd answer before purchase.  

 

[Wayne0 1,516]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

 

On that 4 way wedge, if you can share a link for a direct fit I'd be interested. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=4+way+splitter+wedge&crid=63KGAM25FB01&sprefix=4+way+splitter%2Caps%2C155&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_2_14

 

Edited 12 hours ago by Wayne0

[ebinmaine 77,357]

@Wayne0

 

That's what Boss sells too. The link leads me to a bunch of different types that are all more expensive than the $130 add on though.  

 

 

[ebinmaine 77,357]

The biggest game changer differences I can find between the HF and the Boss model are the frame construction and the engines.  

There are a few mentions of the HF having a bit of a weak beam structure. 

 

[Ed Kennell 44,903]

An up grade for yours Eric?     That would keep Trina and Mother busy.

 

Facebook

 

 

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Ed Kennell

[ebinmaine 77,357]

25 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

up grade

 

That would be AWESOME..... other than maybe a missing digit here n there.  

[wallfish 19,323]

15 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

An up grade for yours Eric?

 

Facebook

 

 

 

 

Kind of a cool set up because it can be operated by either one or two people. 

I have an old gearbox that was used for a huge conveyor thingy that's built like a tank and could handle something like that.

[Wayne0 1,516]

7 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

@Wayne0

 

That's what Boss sells too. The link leads me to a bunch of different types that are all more expensive than the $130 add on though.  

 

 

I bought that wedge so long ago I forgot what I paid. Boss seams to be a better deal.

[ebinmaine 77,357]

Here's a screenshot Trina created on her PC.

This shows the overall structural rigidity and ergonomic setup of both machines so you can see why she prefers the Boss model.  

 

 

 

Of note:

The control lever of the Boss is in the center. The Predator has a one sided operation setup.  Being able to operate a machine from either side is a HUGE consideration.  

 

See the standing structure of each machine.  

There are several pivot points on the Predator that don't exist on the Boss. Those are areas of concern because of additional wear & tear along with overall stability during operation.  

 

 

[Darb1964 1,145]

35 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Here's a screenshot Trina created on her PC.

This shows the overall structural rigidity and ergonomic setup of both machines so you can see why she prefers the Boss model.  

 

 

 

Of note:

The control lever of the Boss is in the center. The Predator has a one sided operation setup.  Being able to operate a machine from either side is a HUGE consideration.  

 

See the standing structure of each machine.  

There are several pivot points on the Predator that don't exist on the Boss. Those are areas of concern because of additional wear & tear along with overall stability during operation.  

 

 

The Boss looks a lot like my old Mackinaw splitter.

[ebinmaine 77,357]

Just now, Darb1964 said:

 my old Mackinaw splitter.

 

Was that a dual action setup?

[Ed Kennell 44,903]

1 hour ago, wallfish said:

I have an old gearbox

I'll watch this build.   

[Darb1964 1,145]

Just now, ebinmaine said:

 

Was that a dual action setup?

It automatically goes back after full cycle. It's not capable of splitting upright, it don't have the wedge on the piston. The wedge needs to be on the piston in order to split both ways. When I had very big rounds I would lower the front kickstand. I got it used thirty plus years ago.. I would guess it was at least ten years old then. Hope that helps. It never failed me.

[Wayne0 1,516]

The only thing I have an issue with is, the piston is under the wedge, not behind it. Looks like a weak point to me.

I guess you couldn't have a 2 way that way. Might work out fine. The proof is in the pudding.

[ebinmaine 77,357]

10 minutes ago, Wayne0 said:

The only thing I have an issue with is, the piston is under the wedge, not behind it. Looks like a weak point to me.

I guess you couldn't have a 2 way that way. Might work out fine. The proof is in the pudding.

 

We've had the same thought. 

I'm curious to know if or how Boss compensates for that.