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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Harbor Freight Electric Wood Splitter

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RichZ

12-01-2003 10:14:30




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The newest Harbor Freight Tool catalogue has a 4 ton electric log splitter. It cuts up to 14 1/2 inch logs, with up to 12" diameter. It has a 2 hp motor. It's hydraulic, and looks like a smaller gas operated log splitter. It's only $269.99.

This is an awful lot cheaper than a gas operated or pto operated log splitter. And it's one less gas engine to maintain!!! I'm seriously thinking of getting one. I only split wood occaisionally, when we have downed trees on our 2 acre wood lot, or when we find out about someone with downed trees, who don't burn wood for heat.

Does anyone have any experience or ideas about this unit?

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chaney creek

12-02-2003 19:53:10




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 Re: Harbor Freight Electric Wood Splitter in reply to RichZ, 12-01-2003 10:14:30  
They told me when I was building one - it's not the h.p. but the capacity of the pump.

Some won't believe it but I built a splitter with a 3.5 hp Briggs and stratton and very seldom did it bogg down. Several swore that it couldn't be done and that I was wasting my time. Got the 2 stage pump from the northern hydraulics catalog.



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Greywolf

12-03-2003 04:22:32




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 Re: Re: Harbor Freight Electric Wood Splitter in reply to chaney creek, 12-02-2003 19:53:10  
I'll agree with that.

Several years ago a friend moved an old 2 story 4 bedroom up 2 bath house. Walls back plastered with a walk in attic.

The movers only used a 7.5 horse Honda on the pump and lifted the house with only 4 rams.

I was there and watched otherwise I wouldn't have believe it myself.

After it was up, the mover extimated the weight of the house in the neighbor hood of 100-120 ton by the pressures needed to lift it.

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paul

12-03-2003 15:47:18




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 Re: Re: Re: Harbor Freight Electric Wood Splitter in reply to Greywolf, 12-03-2003 04:22:32  
Most people factor in speed when splitting wood. Lower hp means you are giving something up - either pressure or speed.

The 2 stage pump helps on the wood splitter, but it would split more wood in an hour with a bigger engine.

The house, well you probably don't want to lift that up in 30 seconds or less. :) :) Must have been some big cylinders to only use 4.

--->Paul



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Ludwig

12-02-2003 04:10:59




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 Re: Harbor Freight Electric Wood Splitter in reply to RichZ, 12-01-2003 10:14:30  
Funny you should mention it, I was looking at that too. I was thinking it'd be handy for making kindling for firestarter. Like the others said the rated power is so low that it'd probably not have enough power for anything really hard.
I guess the best it would do is split the stuff thats easy and fun to split with an axe. Can't see that being all that great a benefit...



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Bus Driver

12-01-2003 18:03:24




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 Re: Harbor Freight Electric Wood Splitter in reply to RichZ, 12-01-2003 10:14:30  
4 tons is certainly not much, but it might split 75% of the wood within the sizes quoted. My home built unit develops 31 tons of force and some logs with big knots near the end can really give it a fit. But it will crosscut logs up to 6" diameter. But not neatly.



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paul

12-01-2003 17:56:50




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 Re: Harbor Freight Electric Wood Splitter in reply to RichZ, 12-01-2003 10:14:30  
Takes a 20 ton gas unit to get through my elm wood. Can't see where 4 tons of pressure would make a dent in what I split, but I haven't used one so I shouldn't judge?

--->Paul



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KEG

12-01-2003 11:09:15




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 Re: Harbor Freight Electric Wood Splitter in reply to RichZ, 12-01-2003 10:14:30  
I would check out two features that you may find important. First is the speed of the ram. The electric screw style machines are very slow. I don't know about the electric/hyudraulic models, but sometimes cheaper means smaller/slower hyd. pump. Second, I have a 24 ton unit (Brave mfr.) and have found that I have used all 24 tons at times. I suspect 4 tons will get you through a straight simple log. But you may find the machine unable to tackle knots. And many logs have knots.

I agree that eliminating one more gas engine is a plus, but you may find the aggravation of a gas engine worth the price when you're trying to get through a bunch of logs.

KEG

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