Nice video. I don't believe there's ever any reason to bash anyone or any company (but people still resort to that sort of bullying). We chose Dr Power (great service) Their kinetic splitter splits any thing we can put up there. Expect to experience down time for a replacement part or two but it's a machine. Some parts wear and belts need to be replaced periodically. There may be better machines available, but this splitter does a great job. After about 300 cord it does what it does. Perform the regular maintenance. We also have a 50 ton hydraulic splitter but rarely even use it.
Thanks! I've heard that DR has excellent customer service. I've heard that people have had good luck with the DR splitters. You have put it to the test with 300 cords.!
Wow the haters really come out. Nice splitter and yes Super Split is awesome but others hold their own. I choose Super Split but then could not get one for months. A local tree service owner died and I got his personal machine with hardly any hours. Love it
Thank you for your excellent review! I have a DR Splitter which has the same engine and works the same way as yours. It's been a very good machine with little maintenance over five years. I did have to replace a pair of pulley belts that drive the flywheel. Oregon makes a similar machine that appears to work well using an Honda engine. Mine does not have a safety lever either. I see that you have discovered a very good time saving method for dealing with the wood as it is split. Just leave it on the table and the next round will push it off the end of the table. No need to stop, pick it up and throw or place it somewhere. This makes processing the wood much faster. Mine does not have a log lift, but I probably wouldn't use it. When doing large diameter rounds, I place one standing on end next to the machine by my right hand and I put the nest half split piece(s) on it. That gets it out of the way while you are working with the first half and you don't have to reach over the table to get it. Thank you for your good review! I think this is one of the fastest ways made to split firewood.
Thanks! I'm glad to hear your Oregon has given you good service. The splitter pushing the wood off is a good time saver. The log lifter works nice as a staging table. I think to get a splitter, that is justifiable faster, you will have to spend $10,000. If you did not watch, check out the splitter wars playlist. Just search "Splitter Wars 2020."
Morning Roger. Really good, thorough and honest review - very well done. I really like the large receiving table on the unit - as you demonstrated, it provides a lot of table space to manage the splits and continue working. I also like that the surface where the ram punches the round is wide enough that the round will stay put while it is being split. Thanks again Roger - good stuff!
Thanks GP. The large table was one of the reasons I got it. The wedge/ knife on this splitter is angled back. That also helps keep the wood from flying. Thanks for watching!
I know the Eastonmade 12-22 is not an apples to apples comparison but I would really be interested to know your thoughts on whether I should go with the SuperSplit or Eastonmade's Ultra (the smallest one without the log lift)? I usually burn a just under 10 cords a year of oak, maple and locust. Thanks!
@@travisgilbert8416 Ì went for the Eastonmade because, in part, it has a log lift and, when I spend money for equipment I try to buy the best on the market. The Super Split has been flawless for well over 40 years. But my back is worn out. I still use it for lighter rounds, but the Eastonmade will handle anything.
I’ve had a DR 34-ton for a couple of months. Can’t believe how much easier it makes splitting the wood down to the size and shape I like. I could’ve used this rig about 50 cords ago!
Still splitting my wood by hand. We only use 2-3 cords a year and I like the exercise. If I put a wood burner in my shop my consumption will go way up and I might think about getting a splitter. The kinetics look like good machines.
I dont understand people that only burn a couple of cords and need splitter. It is good excerise. to split by hand. Another good option is a split fire, that may work good for you.
Good review Roger. I've not used one but have see a few on the tube. They look simple enough and the ram speed is awesome. Unless you have a box wedge or an adjustable multi-blade wedge, the large rounds are hard to handle for anyone. I know I fight them all the time. All in all if I could find one reasonably priced based on this video alone, I would spring for the deal.
Thanks 👍Your right, a box wedge is best for big rounds. Kinetic splitters are pretty hard to find used. Most people buy them, and keep them. I think a vertical splitter may be better than this, but they cost more too.
@@TractorTech I just repaired a vertical/horizontal 35 ton splitter. When I finished installing the new pump I tested it out. To my surprise I literally hated the vertical position. If I was younger the bouncing up and down from knees to feet would not have bothered me, but knocking a chunk out of 70 I found it very much bothersome. Plus, the ground was saturated so my knees were soaked and cold. I can imagine working in the snow would be just as bad. My suggestion would be to rent one or talk to the supplier about doing a video review on a loaner before pulling the trigger. But then again, I would've had no concern at your age. My son's father in law has it now and is in his early 60's with two new knees and he loves it.
@@tractorman4461 I don't like the vertical horizontals. The vertical position is useless to me. The axle is in the way on most in the horizontal. Most have a horrible layout. Here is a vertical like I was talking about. This a prototype. I think they use a 3'' cylinder with a 2.5'' rod, then a decent size pump. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mrBVArUnGbo.html
Great review, In my humble opinion its way better to cut bigger rings into 1/2's and 1/4's. Save's those hernia op's ( had 1 and my firewood mate has had 2) and the time spent with a saw and axe saves the wrestling on the splitter.
I have a strong back and weak mind so I pick up stuff I shouldn't. About 3 weeks ago I took my great uncle in for his hernia operation. I really don't like big rounds for firewood. They are too hard of work.
Looks like your splitter works well, I have a TS 27 ton that works well for what my Dad and I need BUT we did have a little problem, it had a honda that ran wide open from the start. Long story short with NO help from TS I replaced it on my dime with a Kohler command and have used it for 2 years and it sure has split some monstrous maple and many tri-axle loads since!!!
That is too bad they would not help out on the engine. Do you still have the old honda? I got a used pressure washer with a honda GC160 and it was over revving. All that was wrong with it was the idle screw needed adjusted.
@@TractorTech , Roger sorry for the delay, been busy at work, but that honda locked up tight and is a pile of engine in my old garage but that's the past and it has worked great since I installed the other engine!!!
Nice video thanks for sharing I was going to go with this model but it was hard to find so I settled on the Super Split it works fantastic I wish I got a kinetic a long time ago. I like a lot of your features and how the engine is mounted low mine is very tippy. I hope you don’t get too many negative comments there seems to be a hate group for these type splitters I’m not sure why. Great video👍
My splitter is a Fiskars powered by these two Popeye lookin arms I have. Lol. And also a black diamond splitter I got from the local rural king. Sad thing is I use my fiskars more than the log splitter. I’m quicker
There is nothing wrong with splitting by hand, especially if you are just splitting for yourself. I'm sure your splitter comes in handy when you run into some tough to split wood.
Wait till you get into your 60's and 70's, unless you're lucky you'll start to change you mind. Especially when you rotator cuff arms start to really ache.
I have a Dr and yesterday the rack and pinion just took a nosedive. That's going to cost me 460 some bucks. I really like kinetic splitters over hydraulics but I have to say damn that's going to hurt more than just a little.I have a wood splitter now that looks like a West Virginia meth addict.
You may be able to find a higher quality aftermarket US made rack and pinion. You will have do drill the attaching holes in the rack which won't be easy in that hardend steal. That is probably a job for a machine shop.
My buddy has a Split Second and I often refer to it as the Lickety Split because it is.... Very fast. To clarify the reason it is not being made any longer is that, Agri Fab the parent company ceased production on it in 2017 or 18 I believe, due to, too much competition from other companies and the Split Second was not a money maker for Agri Fab. I have searched high and low for another brand and have settled on the Woodmaxx 34 ton model.
It may have been late 17 that they stopped selling them. Let me know how you like the woodmax. I've heard some people say that rack style handle is easier to engage. Are you getting the honda engine on it?
@@lawnman1734 I don't really care for briggs engines. I've seen too many fail early. I noticed it was $200 to get a Honda, when the honda is a $300 engine. That is pretty pricey for an upgrade. Subaru quit making small engines.
@@TractorTech yes, at one time I wasn't a fan of Briggs engines. I just dropped in a new Briggs Vanguard in my Deere 445 based on feedback from different sources. Many Zero Turn manufacturers are using the Vanguard in their mowers. And also, I have a 10 year old Cyclone Rake with a Briggs and it it still running strong. So... It's a decision I'll have to make at the time I buy the Woodmaxx in regards to the Honda or Briggs. I agree, it's a heavy price to upgrade to a Honda.
@@lawnman1734 I heard the vanguard is a Diahatsu engine. My neighbor repowered a cub cadet with one. It is a good sounding engine. I've heard that some of the newer briggs stuff is good. I just recently heard that some have plastic carbs and cams, and they are junk. I imagine this is their entry level engine.
Very interesting video, I would like to see how it handle Live Oak as that what is mostly cut here in central Tx. The grain on Live Oak is not so straight so it be nice to see how it handles this hardwood. Definitely a fast machine and it did grabe my attention.
That thing honestly does a good job and does it fast. It sucks that they went out of business ( parts wise) for anyone that owns one. I can honestly say that if I owned this I'd most likely use it for about 80% of my work, you'd just have to be picky about the wood you gathered to make it 100%. And not knocking what you call a ( big round) but that was a pretty average size piece for most hydraulic splitters.
Yes, it make nice clean splits and is fast. They are suporting parts for 7 years from when they went out of business. They were owned by agrifab. I'm not worried about parts for it. It is a simple design. I could make most anything for it. Rack and pinions are readily available. It has split everything I have asked it to. It has over 100 hours on it now. That round to me is big for firewood. I prefer for everything to be under 14'' for firewood. The bigger stuff makes for harder work. I've split stuff that was probably 28'' with it.
@@TractorTech Question, HOw does it work for crotched wood? The straight grain wood is easy enough (usually) for me to split but i need a splitter for the crotched/heavily knotted wood.
I noticed that little lever below the engagement handle. Isn't that the safety latch? I notice you never touch it when splitting. Do you have it defeated somehow?, or am I wrong in what it is?
Good evening Sir, you did an outstanding review of your kinetic log splitter. Sir, how is the wear and tear on the main rotating gear and rod who is connected to it ? Thank you again for your great video. Cheers and keep up the good work !!!
Harbor freight dual direction currently. Lately I've been considering the brute Force 20-24, Easton made and a couple other. I'm leaning towards the BF as I like the control layout and ergonomics over the others and made in the USA.
How much have you used you HF? I really like the eastonmade splitters. I think they are tough to beat. They look like they are really well thought out.
@@TractorTech on the HF the after market hour meter got killed by hurricane Michael @ around 80 hrs. I have since used it for at least another 80. It hasn't missed a beat just not fast enough. I was sold on Eastonmade until I ran across brute Force. Alot of money either way and with a mild winter so far I'm on the fence to pull the trigger on it.
@@ronbarfield5615 That is good your HF is still getting the job done. I wonder how many hours it will go. I wanted something faster so I got rid on mine. I also got tired of taking it apart every 5-7 cords to clean the chips and bark out. After you get a faster splitter, you will need a conveyor.
Its to bad they went out of business, i like its bigger size and its Subaru engine. Where were they made, how much and what is the HP of the motor, if you don't mind me asking.
Yes, I did. The main benefit I see to is, is if you have a round the wants to roll of the splitter you can steady it since you have a free hand. Everyone seemed to think it hurt productivity. I looked at my videos and it only took me something like .3 seconds to pull the safety. If I split several hours I was loosing maybe 5 minutes by pulling the safety.
WITH THAT BIG ROUND, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY SPLIT YOU HAD TO WRESTLE AROUND PULLING IT APART. SEEMS LIKE MANUFACTURES MAKE THE WEDGES TOO SHORT. TOO CHEAP TO ADD A COUPLE MORE INCHES WOULD BE MY GUESS. STROKE NEEDS TO BE ONGER ALSO
I've heard of some people that have had not problems with the DR, then other say they are junk. I'm not sure if one model they make is better than the other, or there if there is a quality control problem. I've never heard anything bad about a super split and they almost never come up for sale used. That says a lot about them.
@@TractorTech that 12-22 would definitely help speed up the process a bunch I would think. Or a concrete pad and concrete bunker blocks to pile your split wood on. And if I remember correctly you already have a elevator. Those are the next two things that I will be working on for my firewood
@@williamwhite9275 I have my eye on the 12-22. I can't do a concrete pad because my septic lines run through the area where I process. I may have to eventually get some bunker blocks. Right now I have a 6' pallet between 2 trees to hold the wood in. My conveyor is also pretty crappy. Then if we up production, deliveries may be a problem so we may need a second trailer.
If you knew how to use that machine you'd be twice as fast...to much wrestling not enough poppin... The wood will fall apart if you just keep turning and popping
Be very careful of these knock-off splitters I purchased one that didn't last a chord of lodgepole. Check your flywheels for loose-fitting on pinion shaft my dk40 got so loose after 1-quart you could rotate one of the flywheels 3/4 of an inch opposite of the other that keyways got that loose. I returned it the next day it was too unsafe to use once the keyway sheer the flywheel will spin off the retaining bolt that's not left-handed threaded and you now have a 65 lb chunk of cast-iron spinning at five hundred or so RPM.
