Can a Kinetic Wood-splitter Split this Log?

[@Michael-pc9yx]

Finally I find a real test of these machines thanks mate

[@robertcole3998]

Glad to see someone splitting wood that is about as knotted and tough as some of the old hard maples I have here that I heat with... nice to see a kinetic splitter work on it because my 25ton hydraulic is comparatively really slow...

[@seanlittlefair105]

Nice commentary. I’ve been on the fence with kinetic splitters, pretty convinced after watching your video. Cheers.

[@theholistic360coach]

Just the info I was looking for... best video on youtube for reviewing this unit - thanks!!

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Looks like its doing well! Take Care 🚜🪵👍🏼🇺🇸

[@andrews2903]

🎉 1:25

[@atnoahshouse]

Great video. I can’t imagine trying to split some of those by hand.

[@daleashton9361]

Great video I have just ordered the 40t version Can't wait to put the axe away

[@theholistic360coach]

I'm ordering the 30t today

[@Thierry-ck3fp]

That’s big can you tell the cost of it please 🙏 and any link? Thank you so much in advance . ❤️˘◡˘❤️

[@Thierry-ck3fp]

@@theholistic360coach That’s a good size can you tell the cost of it please 🙏 and any link? Thank you so much in advance . ❤️˘◡˘❤️

[@markwriter2698]

I’m impressed. Didn’t believe it would work.

[@Becu1001a]

Great informative VID. I purchased a ForestWest 15 HP Kinetic with Electric Motor. I wished I'd bought one years ago. I think hydraulic ones may be left behind, certainly in this range.

[@Alan_Hans__]

That actually does a surprisingly good job on Aussie hardwood. I have redgum, greybox and ironbark here in central Vic and the best of it would be on par with worst of the wood that you were going through there I'd say. I always wanted to make a vertical kinetic splitter but gave up on the idea and bought a 2nd hand hydraulic.

[@tomnewell5529]

g'day mate another good video 👌 with the knotted stuff I cut the billets shorter so it's easier on the splitter l know your a stacker so this wouldn't work for you the only time we stack firewood is beside the stove (we have heaps of cages made up from pallets so wood is processed at tree and thrown into cage then covered with tarp when it's burn time it's bought to front door with tractor) good job mate and keep them coming 👌

[@SmallWonda]

Really is so satisfying - glad you have the safety on as I could envisage any number of Miss Marple-esk endings! Is it cost effective?

[@homesteading]

I think so - it certainly makes life a lot easier!

[@aussieearthmoving392]

Nice video mate. I have the same splitter. They are a good bit of gear. I think a hydraulic splitter would last longer though

[@SmallWonda]

How is yours going? Have you had to go hydraulic? Interested as on the verge of getting this one off eBay. Jan '23.

[@TheRuralProject]

Hey, good to see this splitter tested on some knotty wood. I’ve thought about a kinetic splitter, also thought about. 4 way wedge on my hydraulic splitter to speed things up but I have a variety of wood So I think I’d end up with a pile of “unsplittable” and have to use the hydraulic single wedge for it and then I’m loosing time swapping wedges. Chris TheRuralProject

[@bigdogg361]

I know this videa is over 2 years old but I've been researching these kinetic splitters and was wondering what oil are you using to lube it? Seems to be the most important maintenance on these. I searched comments but didn't see it mentioned. Great informative videa!!! Thanks

[@homesteading]

I use chain oil...based on the reasoning that it is sticky!

[@apb71]

great machines those!

[@karenrosser]

I split firewood using a chopping block and an axe for years for my Mum, I would have loved one of these 💕

[@YoureNowOnTV]

Thanks for making and sharing this one. 😀👍 Where’s a good place (In Tassie) to get the thick plastic sheet you use to cover your wood piles?

[@homesteading]

The greenhouse plastic that I am using - has been used before by my father-in-law and been in storage for the last 25 years! So I really can't answer your question. For greenhouses I recommend "Duratough" plastic sheet - but it's bit a expensive for wood piles!

[@ErgonBill]

Any hardware store will sell visqueen or similar product in 50m x 4m rolls for around $120. Will last a few years under UV.

[@Huzzunga]

Do you know if your rack and pinion are machined from billet or cast? I noted the ones sold at big box stores here in the USA have had gripes on more than one loosing a tooth on the rack. They are reported to be cast iron.

[@CoryLievers]

We have a 10 ton kinetic electric splitter and it works quite well on trees like Birch, Tamarac, Poplar, Spruce. The issues we are finding on some Birch and a lot of Spruce though is in fact the real Knotty logs, lots of those knots it has a tough time getting through, often needing anywhere from 2 - 8 tries to split it - which makes me worried it's going to kill the machine. I wonder if a larger Ton kinetic splitter (like 20 or 30 ton?) would have the same issues, or if it would work better, or would you really just need a hydraulic splitter?

[@homesteading]

As I have different timber and haven't used the smaller splitter it's hard to make a good judgment. But I you should have a lot more force with the heavier machine and the wood that stops it is REALLY hard! Often it chops through knots like an axe would (I keep the edge fairly sharp.)

[@elenidemos]

Could you "turn" or "lathe" from timber to replace the handle? Could possibly also use a butterfly bolt to secure it on & off?

[@homesteading]

Could do, but it would be good if it was made from something soft (as it currently is) as when it jumps back it can deliver quite a kick!

[@Chucky-b7v]

That is pretty knotty John, I’ve just finished doing our firewood. We have a BlackDiamond also (Hydraulic) mate. The good old chainsaw helps to sort them out as you said.

[@jimpann]

Great job. How many tons is the splitter?

[@homesteading]

It's sold as a 30 ton.

[@davekana8388]

Hi, you just came up on my KZbin feed, I’ve been checking out kinetic splitters. What are the details on yours. Thanks, liked and subscribed!

[@mlbeaumont]

what sort of splitter are you using

[@homesteading]

It's a Black Diamond (Chinese made) kinetic splitter.

[@gerrybrown]

Was not expecting it to break that massive log tbh

[@GR8Tmate]

I just found you today, great channel , look forward to watching more of your stuff, subbed. I was wondering what you think Olof the electric log splitters? I understand electricity might not be for everyone but if your log pile was set up near an electricity supply, would you consider one of those?

[@homesteading]

I have no experience with electric splitters, but if electricity had been available I would have considered an electric powered kinetic splitter. The advantage would be less noise and smell!

[@GR8Tmate]

@@homesteading Thankyou for your reply. I wondered if the Electric ones lacked oomph……but I guess just because it’s electric doesn’t mean it’s weak. My thoughts exactly about the fuel one being smelly & even more expensive to maintain, not to mention my future off grid place will mostly run off the sun …… except for when the sun don’t shine in Tasmania 🤦‍♂️😂. I know what you’re going to say. Thanks for your content, I’m really enjoying it and the days are drawing closer when I’ll be joining you down there somewhere & I can’t wait.

[@homesteading]

@@GR8Tmate With a kinetic splitter the real power come from the flywheel, not the motor. My petrol one is only a 3 1/2 hp motor! So electric should still work fine. That said, it would take a fair amount of solar power to run one,...I'm not sure if the cost/benefit would work out...of course I haven't tried to do the math, so could be wrong!

[@GR8Tmate]

@@homesteading I haven’t done the math either but I will be building a reasonably significant solar system as my wife will work from home & needs to run her equipment. We were offgrid once before for 7 years, it’s easy enough to adapt to that style of living and the technology has improved significantly too. Then today I saw the log splitter of all log splitters. Have you seen the Eastonmade Log Splitter from the USA? Wow 😍 As a timber guy you might appreciate this one. I’ll attach a link for you. The new wood splitter starts at 06:40min kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZKzdH9jq82Zjs0

[@mynameismud4568]

You dont look like you have a shortage of timber around you, i would be putting that notty stuff on the newyears bonfire.😁 to much time effort and wear on machine and body good demo of machines capabilty tho. Was that a chinese tractor? Any feed back on that? Thankyou for sharing im learning alot from your vids. Cheers

[@homesteading]

Yes, I wouldn't want to waste time on logs like that very often. No, it's not a Chinese tractor, but close - it's a New Holland Boomer - South Korean! But the loader is a Challenger.

[@John-cj3ve]

How many ton is this splitter?

[@homesteading]

It's marketed as 30 ton...

[@logginwiththezeeman3302]

Have you ever used it on bluegum ?

[@homesteading]

I only have stringy bark and wattle.

[@martinwinlow]

I have a '26T' *mains electric* (Chinese 'ForestWest' brand) kinetic log splitter in Scotland, UK and have to say, every time I see people using ICE-powered splitters (let alone totally archaic hydraulic ones) I wonder why on earth people use them. Aside from the racket (necessitating ear defenders - not pleasant in hot weather and a general PITA at the best of times) the cost of running even a small ICE for hours on end is probably 10 times what the electricity bill would be for an equivalent electric one. As a very rough guide I'd say my splitter can do about 8m3 for less than £1-worth of electricity (based on about 20p/kWh). And then there's the emission's / environmental and potential safety issues of using petrol/diesel... I know you will say "Well don't have mains power in the middle of a field!"... and I would reply, why process the timber in the middle of a field in the first place? It's not like the logs are going to be used there. They'll all have be brought to your residence in due course. So, why not cut the logs into a transportable size in the field (ideally using a battery electric saw), move them to your base where mains power is or could relatively easily be, cut the logs into rounds using mains electric saw and split them using an electric splitter? I appreciate this won't suit everyone but worth thinking about before immediately opting for the fuel-based system without even thinking about it... I have to say the '26T' machine I have has never failed to split anything I've chucked at it and I do a lot of very knotty evergreen trees up here on the west coast of scotland. (Not entirely sure where the 26T comes from but it has 2 20kg flywheels if someone fancies doing the maths!). We must have put at least 200m3 through the machine thus far. The motor over-heated and failed after about 150m3 (due to some unsympathetic use by an inexperienced user) but that was relatively easily replaced with a UK sourced - and genuine 3HP - motor (I suspect the original was no-where near the plated 3.5HP, probably nearer 2.5HP as it ran happily off a 13A plug whereas the new one has to be 16A or it blows the 13A fuse every time). A note on safety: I'm and not any sort of 'elf'n'safety' nut but I 100% agree on the safety points you make. These machines should *NEVER* have one handed operation and the two handed ones (such as the one in the video and mine) should - equally - *NEVER* be operated by 2 people. The action is just too quick to get hands out of the way if the ram activation timing goes awry. The results of an accident could be catastrophic. Thanks for posting the video of your experience.

[@tuskaghe]

Hello from Europe! Totally agree with what was written. I have a 12-ton hydraulic electric house on paper, actually measured 7.85 tons. However, a truckload of wood per year is a comfortable price. I would prefer kinetic, but to break equivalent in force tons, it should be about 2 times stronger for the same mechanical power as hydraulic and the price to match. No comment on a kinetic one of 26 tons. For such force, with hydraulics, a maximum of 15 tons would be enough to break the same log. Of course with the sacrifice of speed and consumption.

[@shameelali2549]

Have u smashed any teeth yet on the rack or pinion yet? Cheers for the vid and a good tip is don't keep hitting the lever,wait 5 seconds for the flywheel to build up inertia/energy.

[@homesteading]

No breakages....yet!

[@anthonyr5869]

Not bad nice log splitter much faster than my ariens 22 Ton Subaru powered unit

[@paulkavanagh5393]

Are you still making firewood videos

[@homesteading]

Haven't made any for sometime. But plan to make one or twp when start with the firewood season in a few weeks time.

[@kdegraa]

Some of those rounds needs to go on the bonfire.

[@paulholyoak]

I was considering a kinetic splitter due to their speed but after wating this I think i'll get a hydraulic.

[@illusion005]

I think you'd find a hydraulic splitter would also struggle. Ive been hit in the face by a knotted piece flying out of a hydraulic, theres alot of pressure at work, and if it doesn't wanna split, it wont.

[@kdegraa]

@@illusion005true with the pressure hydraulic splitters creating huge pressure on timber. I only have a little electric hydraulic log splitter. Sometimes it pushes a log into the blade and the log splits in a second, shooting out at speed. I’d recommend wearing a chainsaw helmet with face guard to protect yourself when splitting wood.

[@cougarkneebone]

Hi! Great video thank you! May I ask what tonnage this splitter has? Also what type of tree was that? …I have a couple of big red gums down on our new property and I feel like I’m ready to tackle them after seeing you do this! Thanks!! 😄

[@homesteading]

That splitter is labeled as 30 ton...but identical looking machines are also sold as 20 ton, so I'm a bit doubtful on that front. But it still performs pretty!

[@cougarkneebone]

@@homesteading yeah looks good though… and that amazing pile of firewood is seriously enviable!! 🤩