I was thinking about this the other day while editing my next video. They both have their pros and cons. One con for me with the Axis is that it can't do 24" rounds that I know of. My boiler can take up to 30" sticks, so the longer the better for me. I do like the precision it has though. If the stroke was longer, it would be almost perfect. But as for a commercial splitter, I just don't think my firewood usage requires a commercial splitter. I'm only using 6-8 cord a year. I can easily do that and enjoy it with my cheap homeowner splitter. Good video, Adam!
You need to get some firewood bag and sack up that kindling and throw a sack or two in with each delivery. It’s a win, win wood yard is clean your giving them a bonus they’ll appreciate the smaller pieces for fire starter. Good video.
Very interesting comparison Adam. Either splitter is better than my current one, the only problem it would reduce my splitting time to much and my wife would try and drag me off to the shops, I need a slow splitter.
Good video ! Very informative as usual. I like the axis for your application, plus the fact of you being so tall leaning over a machine will definitely take a toll on your back. It’s all hard work , I don’t care how you do it.thanks for sharing ! Be careful and stay safe!
Thanks Adam - good overview of the differences. I think, similar to what I have found over the last few years and trying out several splitters, is that the differences or designs of each style, becomes a pro or a con as perceived by the user and their specific needs and setup. There are so many options and designs available now that folks have to really think about what features or options make the most sense for them. Thanks for sharing - good video. Cheers!
After owning the 12-22 for 2 years I'd say your assessment of both splitters is spot on. I would consider an Axis for my next splitter. I like the stake pockets on the Axis. Would be easier to move with a set of forks. Also would think the Axis would be a little better on fuel as well having the smaller engine. I already have a 24' Conveyor so I wouldn't bother with the short conveyor.
Great video Adam. Well thought out and explained. I couldn’t agree more. For your needs the Axis is exactly what you need. Once production ramps up I can see you with a 16’ extension conveyor to extend out the time you need to stack the wood in the containers. My former neighbour had one that would also pivot on its axis and the mound of firewood that could be piled without moving the splitter was incredible. Stay safe
Hi Adam, looking at the axis but I'm thinking of going without conveyor or log lift. Your observation that the conveyor reduces flow to the splitter supports that decision. The reason is that I will be feeding my table with a tractor (forks) and elevating my splitter on a platform so that the totes are just below the table (so just slide off the table and fall in the tote). I also want to try moving the wood from left to right if I find that easier or switch back and forth. Thanks for the info.
Good discussion. I like your term "Firewood OCD" with getting the perfect 6 splits on the 16-inch diameter pieces. haha I do the same on my residential Troy-Bilt splitter. It's so satisfying to get 2 nice splits on the log, roll the whole thing 90 degrees, get 2 more splits, and then throw the entire "chunk" of 9 split pieces into the woodshed!!! I feel like a freaking BOSS! haha
Thanks, Adam. This was an outstanding comparison. I've wondered about your thoughts having had both. Thinking about the horizontal setup, I've always seen the ONLY benefit of most box-store units is that the wedge is on the cylinder. So if a piece does get stuck, like you say, you can use the cylinder return to help dislodge the wedge from the wood. But, in all the box-store units I've seen, this is a single wedge, and cycle times are s. . . l. . . o. . .w.
What a great video on the pros & cons of each machine. In reality, they are as different as chalk and cheese and both could be used side by side for the different types of firewood you need to process, if you had the manpower on hand of course. Good one Adam.
excellent comparison. From what I've observed, I think I'd appreciate the taller work surface more than anything. And you're taller than me, so I'm sure thats a big one for you!
Nice video Adam comparing the two machines! I agree if your a bundle wood maker the axis is the way to go and if your a volume producer 12-22 all the way!
Really like your channel. You and back 40 are the best. If you’re loading a ibc tote and you know you’re going to stack it. Why not split wood into it till you get enough in it to straighten out then split more and just keep doing that until it’s filled. Thanks for your channel.
Adam, thanks for the very thorough review of both of these machines. I have appreciated the information you have shared in your views. Right now for me any machine with a log lift would be an improvement.
Good Morning Sir 🌞 Great Outstanding Professional talking and Video Demonstration Reviewing Important Key Points Comparaisons Sir 👍🧐👌 Have a Great Week Sir Cheers 🍻👌😊
When you bought your wood stove for the garage, I'm sure the company you bought from upcharged you for that custom blower you've got there!! I like it. If I ever get a wood stove in a shop, that looks to be a great idea
From what I've seen, and based on my many years of splitting wood, just for my own use, I would go with the 12-22 machine. Reason....all the different shapes of wood burn better. Plus I like all the kindling those type of machines provide. Great fire in stove.
I agree it's all about what you want out of your splitter and man power. I disagree on the smaller 7 foot conveyor loading a dump trailer or any trailer. Just set things up where your loading trailer from the side and just pull forward a couple times. Plus side of that your truck and trailer is close to you so you got a wind break during cold weather.
Adam I was wondering if you could do a video on your Holzfforma 372 carb adjustment? I recently ordered a Farmertec 372 because of your earlier video. I should have it in 3-4 more weeks and I remember you mentioning it needs carb adjustments. Thanks and keep making those firewood videos! I love them!
Hey Adam, Al here from my Hemlock Homestead. Once again a "great" no nonsense video. You bring up points I never thought of but make perfect sense. I would go with the Axis all the way. The higher work station is a game changer and will keep you splitting wood for many years to come. Congrats on the youtube recognition also. It is well deserved my friend.
hi there you do a real good job with your videos. speak well and clear so the content comes threw well also .you also made a lot of good points witch one i kind of try to get across don't get a splitter for the 5% (mega ton ) of your splitting . maybe you should go into broadcasting as a second career . john
Great video. We use a modified tw5 splitter with auto cycle that is like a trailer. Wood just gets pushed out the back with an axle under the table grate and towed from the front. Very portable. I found a 4 way wedge at about 4-5” high is a perfect setting for our purposes. Ours is fixed and doesn’t move. It makes nice smaller pieces and then you get some larger ones too which are good for overnight in stoves. If the top 2 quarters are too large split them again and it’s perfect. Very little trash but still some. It takes about 10 minutes to toss wood into a ibc tote and fill it for that’s that didn’t know.
i am looking for pros and cons on the 28 ton swisher splitter i ask because it is local if its a good product i will save shipping and go with that i as yet dont own a trailer to haul such an item thanks so much and as mike says Have a day
Like you opinion on both log splitters, as Andrew says the same spitter is not for everyone, I would still get the Axis, gets better quality less kindling. You made the right choice my friend keep safe
You can convert that Honda GX to electric start ($130 parts kit on Ebay)....and order them new with it. I guess Easton is having such a hard time getting Honda engines at all, they just went with the pull start. Funny thing.....I built my splitter (using a older 3pt tractor hitch model for the basis) and put a Tecumseh 8hp engine on it originally. Well, after about 15 yrs of putting up with that sorry rebuid-the-carb-every-other-year piece of junk, I finally bought a Honda GX240 and put on it. I ordered it with electric start.....and have never used it ! It can sit 6 months (I just split for me) and will start easily on the first/second pull. Honda is such a great engine.
I hate leaving equipment outside. The only thing I would change on axis is the conveyor I would get a separate one.but your are pretty spot on with both machines great video
That was very informative Adam!! Very interesting on the comparison of both!! Iam looking at getting a new splitter in the near future so I had some of my own questions answered. Stay safe my friend!!
Have you thought about buying or building a box bin/box bin farm trailer for your forks on your tractor, use your conveyor to load it then just put it in your shop where you have your bundler. then place a few empty IBS totes in there then fill them. Also look at building a pole barn/shop around where the splitter is, you could make it open sided and as tall as you want. Or just start with a pole barn roof(high enough to get your tractor and splitter in and out.
I loved watching them both but was wondering....do you have a video of how you bundle wood for camp fires????? Would really like to see that in action!!!!!!!!
Damn it. I keep watching your channel about log splitting. And you just keep adding expensive things to my “wants & needs” list. I don’t even sell firewood. I’m just a homesteader. But I figured since I’m getting a bandsaw mill. Might as well get a log splitter. I just have a hard time buying inferior products. Which isn’t the best move on my end fiscally. I’ve rented one of those splitters that looks like it came from Tractor supply or Home Cheapo. And it was frustrating as all hell.
Another great video 👍 Have you ever considered an inexpensive double car port? Mounted on some skids so as it's weighted down to aid against wind lift but ridged enough to drag around. It will protect you and the splitter. Keep the videos coming. Your doing great! Love the content.
I've been cutting and splitting 6 cords per year for nearly fifty years. I wouldn't trade my 12-22 for anything. But then again I am a "git 'er done" firewood user. I don't care how pretty it looks, only how good it burns. :-)) Shalom/gw
I have not used an Axis, would be interesting to try it, but I'd like to defend the 12-22. "Working height": if you are a tall guy, park the machine up on a couple blocks of 2x12's. I'm 6ft, no issues using it as is. "Garbage in, garbage out"; Drop the 4-way wedge down to make it a single wedge and you have +20 tons of splitting capability. "Outdoor elements"; Ours stay out in the field, rain, sleet, snow. Simply keep the engine covered with a tarp and bungee, and retract the cylinders. "Precision" and "Quality"; we re-split to remove punky, rotten sections. Easy to do using the top of the 4-way. It all comes down to preference of machine. And while I have not seen how the axis splits a crooked cut block of wood on a cold winter day, does it slip on the table I wonder? Not an issue with the 12-22.
A well thorough job of comparing the two machines! If money wasn't an option, would you have kept both machines? Or would you go with a big processor. What are the plans for the future? Saw the sawmill and a kiln. Would you eventually get away from your full time job? What sawmill would you be looking at? I thought about getting a woodmizer. Right now i take logs to a friend of mine. I accumulated enough logs that i had milled to be able to build my Garage and a second story mancave. Nice video Adam! Thanks for sharing this!
Age and height are a very big deal. The first splitter i helped out with i was on my knees and the hell with that! I stuckbwith hand splittin because i still got a workout, but didnt have to bendover so much. What's great about now is guys can see what might work better for them. At 6'5 myself and 61 my whole body might be in better shape if i had known how a splitter would be less wear and tear AND MORE WOOD in less time spent. Glad to see youngsters being smart.
Before I even hear this, I'm saying heck no, for your operation it's perfect...let's see. Yeah, I would have been very surprised otherwise. The number one thing for me as a sole operator most of the time is not chasing my wood! Wedge has to be on the cylinder for that to happen. I also hear you on the firewood OCD; it gets to the point where I "read" the wood as I'm splitting, where I have to split it to still end up with nice sticks of wood even with the grain running out a branch inclusion.
I was viewing the narrow wedge as a disadvantage because you have to drive it further for a split. but with that little force on the ram, I understand it.
I started using a dremel to sharpen my chainsaw blades I really love it. Enjoy your videos I don’t typically make comments. Fellow Kioti. Owner. Great machines.
Oh boy I am about to pull the trigger on a 5-11 or 9-16 with a box wedge but I do have OCD with getting the splits right....how do you feel about the box wedge splits vs what the axis produces? It seems the axis is more consistent if you are? I am going from an old TW-P1 so any of these are way more productive for me.
Thanks Adam. Where about is your set up ? I,m 10 miles west of Titusville Pa. I,m making firewood myself. Love you to come see my setup or me visit you. Have alot of questions. Love to chat. Let me know.
I would want that elevator mike has cause I don't like pissing with the wood again.love the auto return.that's sweet.but I think if you put a stainless steel chute on the top it would let it shoot out to the center.
Great video I do 10000 bundle a year had a buitrite with auto cycle 6 way your right about waste. Don't by logs anymore so I went with a supersplit but if I do logs again will get axis
I wonder what your decision would be if you actually had to pay for your equipment?? These opinions don't hold much water in the real world when people actually have to spend their own hard earned money to buy new stuff.
What is the cost difference? Does the Axis use less fuel having a smaller engine? As for a place to keep it, build a shed over it and the same for your sawmill.
Love your analytical analysis! You exposed me to a better way of splitting firewood. Still wondering why you don’t use the bottom and sides of the IBC tote tanks. Marcus from Chesapeake VA.
I first saw the Eastonmade on BuckinBillyRay's channel and loved it but man, I just could not justify the price. Too rich for my blood. But she IS nice, I'll give you that.
I have yet to have one stuck in the 12-22.. you just have to use common sense with it. I could go on and on If you have nice wood, the 12-22 will beat the axis on every aspect. 3 cords an hour by myself.
I agree. The only time I got one stuck was when I was trying to get one stuck. And yeah if you have staright grained wood the 12-22 is going to be the faster machine
I've seen in your videos with the Axis that when you get the ideal size log it cuts precision size chunks. Have you ever considered bringing out your wrapper and having your dad or someone else wrap those ideal logs after they've been split? It would save 1 or 2 steps handling the wood. Cut ,split, wrap, stack. Compared to cut, split, stack, move tote to wrapper, wrap, stack. One down fall I suppose to consider is you'd have more wood in the bundles if you wrapped in log form. I've seen anywhere from 8 or 9 pieces to 10 or 11 depending on the size of the split wood. With a 16"ish log still round and split, wrapped you'd have 12 to 16 pieces. But it would be a really clean look.
I feel it's not how good it looks but rather how well it burns when your dealing with bundled wood. You have to keep the campers happy so they come back for more!
