Countyline 40 ton Splitter And 4 way Wedge Review

[@MrCoopersdad]

I have been seeing the Countyline 40 Ton splitter being sold private party and appreciate your input. Not looking to get into the firewood business just want to keep my own home warm and smelling nice during the colder months

[@woodruffwoods]

These are great homeowner machines. They are made by YTL Corporation who makes many different brands of splitters. For the price of these versus the price of a commercial splitter, you can’t go wrong.

[@judge058]

I agree with your assessment. A friend has a Wolf Ridge splitter with both a 4 way and a 6 way wedge. I’ve used both and frankly I like the control over the wood better with just my Countyline 25 ton single wedge. Neater splits that I can easily make whatever size I want.

[@woodruffwoods]

Indeed I like the single wedge. Maybe not the fastest method but to your point there is more control.

[@judge058]

I agree, not the fastest but I’m only producing firewood for my own home so I’m not in too big a hurry.

[@JohnPlantRS6100]

I just noticed something but I may be incorrect it's kind of hard to tell from the angle but I believe the 4 way that you have on the machine may be for the 25 ton model. The 40 ton 4 way covers the whole knife cutting edge and is as tall as the wedge with the wings being almost twice as wide. I don't have the part number but I did see the same issue on someone else's video. I don't recall his name but I do know when he got the correct one his machine worked alot better. I do know he was splitting ash that was wet.

[@woodruffwoods]

I think you may be right. This thing just doesn't work well at all. Someone else mentioned that it was the wrong wedge. The packaging said it was for this machine but it just cannot be.

[@JohnPlantRS6100]

@Woodruff Woods I would really check into that. As a matter of fact I've also heard the same thing about the wrong wedge being purchased for that machine due to the wrong packaging info. The way to tell is that the 4 way wedge will slide all of the way down the wedge with no effort and is as tall as the single wedge with the wings being alot larger. Maybe take a pic and send it to tsc and let them know the situation. I bet they send you the correct one due to the one you have could pop off since it is not correctly seated.

[@woodruffwoods]

@@JohnPlantRS6100 That is a good idea and I will do that.

[@albertashford7245]

​@@woodruffwoodshappen to have tried swapping wedges yet?

[@woodruffwoods]

@@albertashford7245 I did not. I ended up purchasing a Brute Force commercial splitter

[@judge058]

I’ve got a similar setup but with the 25 ton Countyline. One difference is that I keep a wheel barrow right next to the splitter that I try to deposit the debris and bark into. It makes clean up much easier.

[@woodruffwoods]

That is a good idea!

[@aircommuter]

I always use a piece of 2x12 when in vertical position, it’s like all splitters easier to tilt if you push the ram out to shift the weight. Made my first splitter in 1974, everyone wanted to borrow it so I sold it and made a bigger faster one that coupled to my backhoe hydraulics so most couldn’t ask to borrow it.😊

[@woodruffwoods]

I find people to be very bold in asking to borrow things! I also agree that a piece of wood in the vertical position is a great idea. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@dallaspeterson2024]

It looks like it was more the locust being the issue rather than the splitter! Try splitting it with a splitting maul and you will gain an appreciation for how much easier it is to do with hydraulics!

[@woodruffwoods]

Isn’t that the truth!!! It is some narly stuff!!!

[@iPhil77]

Build a wooden platform (4x4 boards)for the time when you split vertically. So the rounds aren’t wobbly but it’s all flat on, plus it’ll save backache in the long run.

[@woodruffwoods]

That is a really good idea

[@davekana8388]

That sure saves on the body, trying to get that big honkin log in place and keep it there. Most of the splits I do are by myself.

[@kennethdoupe1222]

Love that splitter but u are right , it is a bear to set up in verrtical position !! Is heavy ! And the end plate is kind of small , i thought !! But good to see that i am not the only one splitting black locus !!

[@woodruffwoods]

Overall I like the machine but it definitely has a few shortcomings

[@reesegary]

Nice video. I have the 25 ton splitter. I found the 4way wedge is good for dry wood, not so good for green wood. Take care friend 👍🇺🇸

[@j.f.outdoors8460]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the 4 way wedge. I was thinking of purchasing one but was afraid it was to narrow and wouldn’t work and I’d be left disappointed.

[@woodruffwoods]

I think it is all but a waste of money. Outside with this Guy altered his splitter and built a 4 way that works way better than the one in this video.

[@lindarobinson195]

I recall Woodruff n j as a young cub scout and boy scouth Rev Simon a good man. Also Woodruff family with church and Indian arrow heads . I have a new splitter like yours. Yours truly Evans w Robinson ret Sgt

[@woodruffwoods]

How is that splitter working out?

[@bentwedgestanleybrand5818]

I just bother used county line 25 times. The guy had it for 3 months decided he didn't want to be in the firewood business anymore. You threw in a echo cs590 timberwolf both units 3 months old. $1275 delivery

[@woodruffwoods]

That is an amazingly good deal! Congratulations!

[@MsLori62]

Nice wood shed.

[@woodruffwoods]

Thank you. That was my Covid project and it has worked out really well.

[@mcpiddler1135]

I have a splitter just like this. My only complaint is the wedge rides inside a track instead of wrapping around the beam which allows debris to pack into the track. I knew this going in, so I just clear debris more often. If it does get packed in, you are in for a rough time clearing the track.

[@woodruffwoods]

That is a really great point. I totally agree that the wrap around design would be much better.

[@smity7096]

I just subscribed today. Second video

[@woodruffwoods]

Thanks for the sub and hopefully you find the content entertaining enough to stick around.

[@Jason-wc3fh]

I have an identical model to this unit that is a 37 ton. It came with a reservoir half the size of the one in this video. I actually modified mine with a secondary reservoir so I can run it longer and allow the hydraulic fluid to have more time to cool... And for the 4 way wedges, they seem to make the outer wings really small on all these homeowner type slip on adapters. Not sure what the reasoning is for not making a 4 way wedge closer to being an actual 4 way wedge.

[@woodruffwoods]

I agree on all points. That 4 way wedge is all but useless. Overall I am happy with the machine but it could use some improvement

[@tecnik999]

Do you think the 30 or 25 ton is enough if you’re planning to use a 4-way wedge a lot? Thanks for the video & info

[@woodruffwoods]

I have upgraded to a commercial splitter. I think the tonnage on these box store machines are inaccurate. They base it on the maximum the cylinder can handle at maximum flow and psi. Obviously none of them max out the cylinder. I have worked with the 25 ton and it works great. I think it would handle a small 4 way just fine.

[@pluggedinhomestead]

Great information, thank you

[@woodruffwoods]

Glad you found it useful!!

[@davekana8388]

Liked and Subscribed, nice video!👍

[@woodruffwoods]

Thank you Dave and welcome!

[@davekana8388]

@@woodruffwoods like your style and content!

[@keithoneill6252]

Have you had any issue with this spitter’s hydraulic system overheating?

[@woodruffwoods]

It does run hot which I suspect is because the reservoir is not that large (around 10 gallons). Most modern fluid can handle the heat for a period of time but a regular change of fluid doesn’t hurt.

[@josephgrant9137]

How long does one tank of gas last? Thanks Der Guy.

[@woodruffwoods]

I would say 2 hours. Never really timed it so that is a guess.

[@josephgrant9137]

@@woodruffwoods K. How long have you had the splitter? How has it been? Would you buy it again? Thanks Der Guy.

[@woodruffwoods]

@@josephgrant9137 I have had it about 4 years. The only problem I had was a leak in the cylinder which you can find in one of my recent videos. The company stood behind it completely and it was a simple fix. I would but it again for a homeowner splitter. Now that I am selling firewood, I may opt for a commercial splitter. Hope that helps!

[@josephgrant9137]

Yes it does Thanks. Why would you want a comercial grade splitter? Speed? And have you found a better splitter? Thanks Der Guy.

[@woodruffwoods]

@@josephgrant9137 Speed is one thing but the process is another. look at wolf ridge and just the way it works it makes more sense.

[@goodboyringo9716]

What Hydraulic oil did you use ? I heard they don't come with manual. If you had it over to do would you buy the 30 ton or 40 ton ? Cut off the side cutters on the wedge and weld wider cutters on it.

[@woodruffwoods]

The 30 ton would be plenty. I bought mine when the 40 ton was the only one with the faster cycle time. I think I use the 36 hydraulic oil but will need to look. I agree on the adjustments you suggest and outside with this guy did a nice job with his.

[@farrellwatson1428]

How do you address the insect problem (carpenter bees and ants) with the wood stacks?

[@woodruffwoods]

So far I haven't any issues with ants. Typically moisture attracts ants. Keeping the wood up off the ground really helps with that. As for carpenter bees, I have not found any damage to the structure. I imagine as the stain/sealer goes away that will be an issue.

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

I have the county line 25 ton and I really like it . I do not like the 4 way wedge . my buddy that is a welder by trade is going to cut the wings off and lower them for me .

[@lawrenceholton8368]

Part number for wedge????

[@woodruffwoods]

Thanks for watching. The part number is YTL-008-924

[@smity7096]

I've had 20 ton county line for 8 years. Ive never had anything it wouldn't bust or cut through.

[@woodruffwoods]

I think for the money it is hard to beat the County Line splitters. With this firewood business I really have put some serious hours on mine. I have had some issues with it but to be fair, it was never made to do the amount of wood that I put through it. That is why you see an upgraded splitter in my more recent videos.

[@johnp3427]

The wedge your using for the 25 ton. You need the 40 ton. It's larger.

[@woodruffwoods]

I have had this comment before and I think I may have gotten a 30 ton wedge in the wrong box. The box clearly said 40 ton but I saw a slightly different wedge on a different channel. The bottom line is that these homeowner splitters just don’t do well with a 4 way.

[@woodruffwoods]

I have had this comment before and saw a different wedge on another channel. The box clearly said it was for the 40 ton splitter but I tend to agree with you. All that said, I think these box store splitters just aren’t that good with a 4 way.

[@johnp3427]

@@woodruffwoods yes I agree

[@scottbaican9566]

I made my own 4-way wedge for mine ! The ones u buy are cheap and don’t last

[@woodruffwoods]

I should have done that from the beginning but I learned a lesson….

[@scottbaican9566]

@@woodruffwoods I work in a weld/machine shop so it’s pretty bad ass

[@woodruffwoods]

@@scottbaican9566 I would love to see a pic. You can email me at [e-mail]

[@scottbaican9566]

@@woodruffwoods send 4 pics

[@woodruffwoods]

@@scottbaican9566 that is really nice! I like how you just made it one piece. Very nice work!!!

[@kirkg97]

I don’t separate my wood either l’m retired and can feed the stove all day

[@woodruffwoods]

I find tending the fire to be a relaxing task…

[@justinahart8165]

You have the wrong wedge, you have the 25 ton wedge the 40 ton wedge will fit perfect and you won't have the issues.

[@woodruffwoods]

The box specifically said it was for this machine. Maybe it was packaged incorrectly???

[@mattsfirewoodvideos738]

New sub here I love this type of content I have similar content on my channel

[@woodruffwoods]

Thanks for watching! I am going over to check out your channel now.

[@williambowen8385]

I want a sticker for being first!!

[@woodruffwoods]

I can hook you up with a sticker

[@williambowen8385]

@@woodruffwoods make it two ill bring up ginger for a cameo on your next video!

[@woodruffwoods]

@@williambowen8385 sounds like a plan , I am all about a guest appearance

[@Athletesperformance1]

Worthless review, this is 100% the 25T 4 way wedge on a 40T unit Of course it doesn't work right. Smh

[@woodruffwoods]

@@Athletesperformance1 in fact you are partially correct. It was boxed incorrectly in a 40T box but it fit my neighbor’s 30T perfectly. So my guess is that it may fit the 25 ton machine as well but I cannot confirm that. What I do know is that I bought a wedge from TSC that said it was for the 40T splitter and it was worthless. It was only slightly better on a 30T that it fit better. Thanks for watching!