Posted: 7/28/2012 5:03:02 AM EDT
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I just bought one of these: Task Force
I have to admit I was a little skeptical, but I read some great reviews, and decided to give it a try. I brought it home, and unloaded it from the back of the truck. It was surprisingly heavy for an electric appliance, so that was encouraging. Its rated for a 10" diameter log, and 21" long, so I unpacked it and gave it a try. The first log I tried was a 20" long and about 15" in diameter piece of red oak. POP! That sucker split so quick it was a little startling. I quickly made short work of getting that log into stove-size pieces. There are two things I dont like about it, and prehaps I will make some mods. First of all, you need two hands to operate it. You need to press a momentary button with your right hand, which also starts the motor. With the other hand you operate the lever to start the ram, driving the log into the wegde. Its quick, but It would be nice to use the lever and keep a free hand to steady the log, or keep it in position. Release the button, and the motor stops, and the ram comes back to home position. Not a huge problem - I can get used to it - but I think in the future I may install a momentary foot pedal. The second annoyance is the height. Its low. I may have to whack-together a sawhorse to set in on, giving my back a break. I'm impressed. for $299, I think I did all right. I have about 11 cord-worth of oak and maple to split up, so I'll come back with an update if it dies or something. I think next I will try it powered with my generator (6000-watt Multiquip). |
| I'm the type of guy who has always said, "Go big or go home." I've wanted a decent gas-powered splitter for ages, but there was always one more gun to buy, a new boat, a new truck, a new whatever, and a splitter never took center stage. Its still on my list, but for now this little one will do the trick. |
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I've used one like that up at the cabin for the last 3 yrs. & it works fine for me on Red Fir & pine. I will have to say though that I only do about a cord a year, as I do not spend that much time up there in the Winter!
I suppose that if I was doing 7 cords of BIG rounds, then a gas splitter would be the way to go! Still, stores nice - vertical in a small place & super fast to get into action or throw in the back of my little Sidekick (used as an ATV!) to take somewhere.. |
| Nice! I've got one of those on my wish list along with a Makita UC4030A Commercial-Grade 16-Inch 15 amp Electric Chain Saw that I'd use with my paralleled Honda EU2000's. Interested to see how it holds up for you. |
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I split with a maul
Knowing that I cut my wood with that in mind. I leave a few odd nasty chunks lay in the woods A few odd nasty piecies that get brought home just get a couple extra cuts with the chain saw Different wood needs different technique. Some split best green,some with a bit of age,some will go best with a bit of frost in them. The real beauty of a maul is you are working from the groung and only lifting the stovewood when you are stacking it. Any splitter I have used (helping friends) was a nightmare of lifting. Been heating my house in southern New England for 35 years |
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Be interesting to see how it handles 11 cords, post pics Yep, will do. The thing that started me on the whole electric splitter kick was a craigslist deal I made a couple years ago. I went to some guy's house to pick something up, and he had some very huge impressive stacks of perfectly-split firewood. If I had to reckon a wild guess, I'd say 20+ cord, all split and stacked - way overkill for what a small house he had. When I complimented him on it, he showed me his setup. It was a little ryobi electric splitter - thats it. Pretty tiny. He said its what he does to relax - drink beer and split wood. Looked more like an obsession to me. Anyway, thats what got me on about it. Raining today, so I wont be doing anything outside most likely. 
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Be interesting to see how it handles 11 cords, post pics Yep, will do. The thing that started me on the whole electric splitter kick was a craigslist deal I made a couple years ago. I went to some guy's house to pick something up, and he had some very huge impressive stacks of perfectly-split firewood. If I had to reckon a wild guess, I'd say 20+ cord, all split and stacked - way overkill for what a small house he had. When I complimented him on it, he showed me his setup. It was a little ryobi electric splitter - thats it. Pretty tiny. He said its what he does to relax - drink beer and split wood. Looked more like an obsession to me. Anyway, thats what got me on about it. Raining today, so I wont be doing anything outside most likely.
Feel free to send some rain this way. I have the Ryobi version, and have been using it for about 4 yrs. No real problems so far. Have I run into logs too fat to split? Yes, not very many, though. Those go to the bonfire pit for parties. I already have gotten my $300. Bucks worth. I realize that ARFCOM tradition dictates that you need a 5000HP diesel combination log splitter and well digger, But this thing works fine for keeping the BBQ, chiminea and wood stove going. Course, we have live oaks here, no redwoods or anything like that. |
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Be interesting to see how it handles 11 cords, post pics Yep, will do. The thing that started me on the whole electric splitter kick was a craigslist deal I made a couple years ago. I went to some guy's house to pick something up, and he had some very huge impressive stacks of perfectly-split firewood. If I had to reckon a wild guess, I'd say 20+ cord, all split and stacked - way overkill for what a small house he had. When I complimented him on it, he showed me his setup. It was a little ryobi electric splitter - thats it. Pretty tiny. He said its what he does to relax - drink beer and split wood. Looked more like an obsession to me. Anyway, thats what got me on about it. Raining today, so I wont be doing anything outside most likely.
Feel free to send some rain this way. I have the Ryobi version, and have been using it for about 4 yrs. No real problems so far. Have I run into logs too fat to split? Yes, not very many, though. Those go to the bonfire pit for parties. I already have gotten my $300. Bucks worth. I realize that ARFCOM tradition dictates that you need a 5000HP diesel combination log splitter and well digger, But this thing works fine for keeping the BBQ, chiminea and wood stove going. Course, we have live oaks here, no redwoods or anything like that. Thats Quoted:
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Be interesting to see how it handles 11 cords, post pics Yep, will do. The thing that started me on the whole electric splitter kick was a craigslist deal I made a couple years ago. I went to some guy's house to pick something up, and he had some very huge impressive stacks of perfectly-split firewood. If I had to reckon a wild guess, I'd say 20+ cord, all split and stacked - way overkill for what a small house he had. When I complimented him on it, he showed me his setup. It was a little ryobi electric splitter - thats it. Pretty tiny. He said its what he does to relax - drink beer and split wood. Looked more like an obsession to me. Anyway, thats what got me on about it. Raining today, so I wont be doing anything outside most likely.
Feel free to send some rain this way. [red]I have the Ryobi version, and have been using it for about 4 yrs. No real problems so far. Have I run into logs too fat to split? Yes, not very many, though. Those go to the bonfire pit for parties. I already have gotten my $300. Bucks worth. I realize that ARFCOM tradition dictates that you need a 5000HP diesel combination log splitter and well digger, But this thing works fine for keeping the BBQ, chiminea and wood stove going. Course, we have live oaks here, no redwoods or anything like that. Thats encouraging, WB. I also like what Billy2 said, "Best part about it being electric. If its raining just split some wood in the garage. No worries about CO." I never thought of this, but it really makes good sense! |