I bought one of these a few years ago, still going great. One thing I'd like to mention regarding this splitter is one of the handles moves the ram at half the speed of the other so you have one handle that moves the ram fast and the other moves it at a much slower rate for high tonnage log spitting.

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Oh wow, good to know. Thanks so much Jimmy for that. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know that. Please subscribe to our channel if you enjoy our content. 👍🏽

@Arlong1776

Жыл бұрын

I learned this the hard way earlier today and suspected as much lol

@Boogie-Knight

10 ай бұрын

The handle in you left hand moves it fast, but is not designed to apply a lot of pressure. That's what the handle in your right hand is for...the actual splitting. Didn't it come with directions, like mine did?

@Arlong1776

10 ай бұрын

@@Boogie-Knight mine said nothing about that

@user-ey1tf2xl5x

3 ай бұрын

Ok booger. I think everyone knows how to work this splitter. 😂😂😂

I bought one today and looking forward to using it. Going to use it to start out my roadside firewood stand and be more efficient then trying to split by hand

@LifeintheNorth40

2 ай бұрын

Great to hear! Thanks for watching and for your feedback! Please like and subscribe if you enjoy our content as it helps us grow our channel. Thanks again.

Did not know a such a thing existed. As a back up to your main log splitter, I think this will come in handy. Good information and interesting.

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Pretty good alternative to having to chop using a splitting maul. Thanks for watching

I've had one of these for years now. I like it. I have abused the heck out of it and it still works. I have left it out in the rain, split logs too big for it(dia) and as long as I can get it onto the machine I can break it. I use flat pieces of wood like cut offs of 1x6's to shim out the jack part if the log is too short. If I ever finally break it will buy another one.

@LifeintheNorth40

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment! Ya, this thing is a good non fuel consuming backup. Definitely works!

@danielleterry2331

3 күн бұрын

I am 61 can I do this? I have a lot of trees that got taken down last year and cut up 16” to use in my wood stove I just didn’t have a log splitter but I can afford one of these

@lyndafjellman3315

3 күн бұрын

@@danielleterry2331 I'm 68 and use it just fine. If you can pick up the log. . .It is slow, but mighty. The two levers have different "gear ratios" so one is easy to pump and the other is harder. So I use both till I can't pump the one and then just use the easier one. We had some Eastern Washington Pine a few years ago, that my husband and grandson couldn't split with a maul, but we were able to break them on this thing.

I am 73 years old. I have had this same manual hydraulic splitter for 10 years now. I heat my house with wood in the winter but only need about 2 cords a year since I live in central Arkansas. I store it on my covered back porch and only use it when I encounter rounds too large for me to lift to get on my electric 5 ton HF splitter. It works great to break them into halves and quarters that I can readily lift. It works well on green oak as well as dry oak. And as a back up to the power being out, I have a large HF generator, also on the same porch to power my home or if I need to split wood, power the electric splitter. Always good to have equipment for grid down situation! I used to split all this stuff by hand, with a maul and wedges but my knees and bad back cannot handle that activity now, but with these tools, I can get her done!

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Great to hear Mike! You sound like you have done your homework and are prepared! Thanks for watching and for your comment, its much appreciated! If you havent subscribed to our channel please do as we have many other videos about outdoor preparedness, survival and homestead living content.

@jamesdavis1821

8 ай бұрын

At 62 your comment helped me decide to get one now.

@mikeh8228

Ай бұрын

@@jamesdavis1821 Thanks, James, glad to have been of assistance!

Went and got one. Now it is time to get busy. Going to read a little here on how to use it and tomorrow will be splitting time! TY for your suggestion. Did not know it was available out there.

Great review, great video. Thanks for posting!

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

You bet thanks for watching! Pleas subscribe if you like our content.

Great demo and great information.👍

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Nice. Great demo!

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

One other pro you didn't mention is it's much quieter. Awesome video, I'm getting one soon.

@LifeintheNorth40

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching, please subscribe if you enjoy our content.

@mikeh8228

Ай бұрын

HA HA Especially if you do not talk while doing the splitting, if you are in a SHTF situation.

I had one of those a while ago, it is a good piece of equipment. Only got rid of it when I downsized to a small place and I don't have trees around that I have to worry about

@LifeintheNorth40

6 ай бұрын

Ya it seems to be lasting a long time, definitely worth it for the price!

Came for the review stayed with a sub thanks

@LifeintheNorth40

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

Great demo

@LifeintheNorth40

4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thanks man, I was going to get the electric one, but saw this is a little cheaper. Wanted to check it out first and thanks. Sold.

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

great, glad we could help you make your decision. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Please subscribe to our channel if you like our content.

Looks like a decent design and the price is right. And if you had a helper to load the logs while you work the jack, seems like you could get a lot done fairly quickly.

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Ya, having a helper is always nice! It works really well

I've had one and used it for years. It is slow and perhaps best for making kindling and fire starters. The pistons leak and will eventually deplete all the hydraulic fluid. It's cheap, it works but it will require maintenance. D

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Ya, typical for Harbor Freight. Inexpensive items that don't have the best longevity in many cases. Although my nice gas log splitter, needs hydraulic fluid from time to time as well. Please like and subscribe if you enjoy our content.

A few comments. My splitter works good on soft logs. Sometimes you need some kind of a spacer when the logs are too short. One problems that I have is trying to split oak. I use both handles till it gets hard to work both of them. I continue with the one that keeps pushing. It's finally splits the log and pieces of the logs go flying everywhere at a high speed. What am I doing wrong?

@LifeintheNorth40

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment @petecruz2281. Oak is such a hardwood, it makes sense that this basically bottle jack has a harder time building compression on a hardwood then it just pops and breaks the wood causing splintering. I dont think you are doing anything wrong, its the nature of the mechanics of how this splitter functions. In some cases splitting with a maul may be better. Go with whichever option uses less energy. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Please like and subscribe as we are trying to grow our channel.

I mostly use an axe with thick cheeks for splitting. Sweet spot is about 4-5lbs usually. I do think that would be the best way to go through this firewood quickly without electricity/gas. Mauls can be cumbersome. This is a cool little device though. Wonder how it would go through difficult knots. Instead of pulling out splitting wedges this could be good for those gnarly pieces if it works for them.

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Very good info and pro tip Ethical Axe! Thanks for sharing and for watching the video.

@Phiyedough

Жыл бұрын

It is a strong machine but hard work on knotty stuff. Those levers are only thin tube so they do bend on jobs like that but the rest of it copes OK.

I've had one for 10yrs. Good workout.

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

good to know it lasts a long time! Definitely physical exertion!

Good video, very informative. A camping neighbor bought one and let me try it.....way cool!

@LifeintheNorth40

9 ай бұрын

Awesome! It’s a good piece of equipment to have in hand, thanks for the comment!

Looks like more fun if it was an elyptical machine that also crushed firewood

@LifeintheNorth40

8 ай бұрын

Yes sir, a bit of a cross country skiing motion. You can stand it up and go up and down for leverage as well. Thanks for watching, please subscribe if you enjoy our content.

It’s pretty good from my experience

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Good to know! Have you had it awhile?

@benjaminanthony5201

Жыл бұрын

@@LifeintheNorth40 yes two years

No offense but you should have read the directions first. And explained the different handles uses. The splicer isn’t supposed to be used like a cross country ski machine. I’ve used mine and split rounds up to 3 feet in diameter. The machine works good but it works even better when you use it correctly.

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

No offense taken, I don't believe I saw that in the directions or any actual how to on the operation. Makes sense, It didn't seem like my technique was very efficient. The splitter does work well, and Im sure when I can no longer use my gas powered splitter I will use this one frequently until I am good with it! Thanks for watching and for your comment.

@rickrolls3786

Жыл бұрын

Show us how it's done, soldier boy.

@Platoon3090

Жыл бұрын

@@rickrolls3786 I already have a video. On my channel, that I made about 3 years ago.

@rickrolls3786

Жыл бұрын

@@Platoon3090 .... I watched. It's a video just as much or more about you berating other people and presenting yourself as superior than other people while calling them names as it is the splitter. It's not necessary to cut other people down in order to make yourself look big or give instructions.

@Platoon3090

Жыл бұрын

@@rickrolls3786 thanks for watching. Yes I did berate because so many people do reviews and have now idea what they’re doing. I actually used my splitter for a few years before I did the review. And I’ll assume you got more information on using this splitter than you got on most other “out of box” reviews.

Could you potentially put on a larger bottle jack - like 30-50 ton to give it more 'torque' especially if you want to split something much larger/ dense? - ie 14-18" oak

@LifeintheNorth40

6 ай бұрын

I would say yes, since basically that is what the Harbor Freight splitter is using is a bottle jack style actuator. So I believe you could try that and it may work. We appreciate your watching and commenting on our video. Please subscribe if you enjoy our content.

@mikeh8228

Ай бұрын

I have been using mine to split up to 22 in diameter red oak, with the stock set up. When a round gets that diameter, an 18 to 20 inch long piece weighs too much for me to lift to put on my electric 5 ton splitter, so I use this machine to break it into halves or quarters so I can then lift it!

The handles have different size hydraulic pistons. The left handle moves the ram faster, the right handle is for when the going gets tough. I split logs way larger than specified with no problem. Knotty wood can be difficult, but still way easier than a maul and wedge.

@LifeintheNorth40

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Tobie, ya this is way tougher than it looks, definitely works with larger rounds than it says it can!

I have had one of these for 11 years and it it is pretty much worn out but still kind of works. It leaks so bad I've been topping it up with chainsaw chain oil but I don't know what grade of hydraulic oil it is supposed to take. The instructions don't say what grade to use.

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

I would just get some hydraulic fluid and top it off with that. Jacks use that too I believe. Thanks for watching and for your comment. If you like our content please like and subscribe👍🏽

Thanks for sharing. What was the diameter of that log? It looked bigger than 6 1/2 inches . Do you think you could split bigger one?

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Rick it was probably bigger, not sure now. I will tell you that this log splitter will easily split bigger as well. I was surprised how much hydraulic power it actually has. Thanks for watching and for your question. Please give us a like and subscribe if you enjoy our content.

@rickrolls3786

Жыл бұрын

@@LifeintheNorth40 ....Yeah, I watched a couple others and the logs all looked much bigger than 6 1/2 in. I don't even bother splitting logs that small unless it's for kindling.

@mikeh8228

Жыл бұрын

I split rounds up to 18 inches in diameter with it, mostly straight grained wood like oak, and it works fine. I just quarter them and then use my electric to get them to the size i like to burn.

Recently found your channel and am bunge watching your build. I'm a 46 yr old woman and wondering how well it works for your wife? Or a woman in general vs you, Mr Muscles.

@LifeintheNorth40

5 ай бұрын

Very cool thanks for watching our build series. Are you watching the offgrade cabin or the offgrade bathroom build? Hopefully both ha. My wife can definitely actuate this harbor freight log splitter. It’s basically just a hydraulic bottle jack my wife does work out but if you’re capable, you should be able to pump this Hydraulic bottle jack actuator no problem. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Please like and subscribe if you enjoy our content.

the metal pin keeps coming out of mine... not sure if ill keep using it

@LifeintheNorth40

8 ай бұрын

Can you drill a hole in the pin and attach a cotter pin through it for retention? Please like and subscribe to our channel if you enjoy our content.

What type of wood are we splitting here?

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

I had a combo of white and black pine as well as various firs. I apologize I am not sure which I was splitting in the video. Please subscribe if you enjoy our content.

Is that how you use it? LOL, I thought it had two handles so you could work it from either side. Put on some skis before you split wood and you can practice cross country skiing.

@LifeintheNorth40

22 күн бұрын

You can use this either laying on the ground or standing up, whichever is best for your splitting needs. It is a bit of a work out, less than splitting with a maul though. Please like and subscribe if you enjoy our content.😁

Did you need to purchase oil separately?

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

I assume your asking about hydraulic fluid? Great question, no sir. Came with hydraulic fluid in it.

@mikeh8228

Ай бұрын

hydraulic fluid is in the jack, unless it starts leaking, no need for more....this has no motor so no lubrication is necessary!

Can you cut the log perpendicular with that chopper?🤔

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I believe you can. Have not tried that yet. It has wheels on one end to move it around. Thanks for watching and for your comment, please subscribe to our channel if you enjoy our content!

@mikeh8228

Ай бұрын

What do you mean perpendicular??? No wood splitter is made to split wood perpendicular to the grain. You use a chainsaw to do that!

i can get the same result using my hydraulic shop press. and split it vertically. then press bearings and other mechanical needs. that one can't

@LifeintheNorth40

3 ай бұрын

You are correct, why not. All this is really is a bottle jack with a frame. Thanks for your comment.

@willwarro4054

2 ай бұрын

somebody stole the idea from one of those ski exercisers that dude was selling back in the 70,s - 80,s. @@LifeintheNorth40

It says 6.5 inch diameter logs. None of your pile is that thin

@LifeintheNorth40

7 ай бұрын

I have split larger than what they say with no problems! Hope this helps. Please subscribe of you enjoy our content. Thanks for watching.

@mikeh8228

Ай бұрын

The manufacturer always understates the capacity because wood varies dramatically in how tight the grain is, whether the grain is straight or curly or twisted.

you could put mirrors up, advertise as a "back to nature" gym, and charge yuppies $50 dollars a month to come split your wood

@LifeintheNorth40

6 ай бұрын

Sounds like a good deal to me!

@mikeh8228

Ай бұрын

You mean $50 an HOUR!

a 10 year old could split that entire stack by himself with a medium axe. try that splitter on some knotted up, gnarly trees and it will pop like a fat girl 9 months after prom.. you're lucky you have such straight and limbless trees there.

@viktorfalstadt4946

9 ай бұрын

try it with some juniper or siberian elm. i have tried a few pieces in a 20 hydraulic shop press and multiple splitting wedges and the 20 ton ram just hits it's limit.

@LifeintheNorth40

9 ай бұрын

Ya we do have pretty good trees on our property and use our gas log splitter for gnarly stuff, we don’t have any hard elm!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too slow. It would be acceptable if the split point could move to the edge of the log.

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Its a good back up for when my gas powered log splitter breaks or I run out of fuel. Thanks for watching and for the comment @No BS! Please subscribe to our channel if you enjoy our content.

Takes too long - I will try a good maul

@LifeintheNorth40

7 ай бұрын

I have one of those and am good swinging it. This is a good less fatiguing option for high volume splitting when and if the gas powered log splitter goes down. Thanks for watching!

I didn't buy one for sure! I went Electric 6 ton. I don't buy any thing from HF or NT> Its like a slow boat from China. It takes for EVER for my stuff to get here! from them

@LifeintheNorth40

Жыл бұрын

Just a good backup.Please subscribe if you enjoy our content.

@426superbee4

Жыл бұрын

@@LifeintheNorth40 I drink to that! Cheers

@mikeh8228

Ай бұрын

That's odd, because Harbor Freight always has in stock what I am buying!!

@426superbee4

Ай бұрын

@@mikeh8228 It a Texas Longview Store. THERE SLOW

SKIP TO 3:10 your welcome

The way you are doing seems much more energy drainer than using a swift AXE.

@LifeintheNorth40

7 ай бұрын

That is my poor demonstration, it is actually less taxing than using a splitting maul over time. Thanks for watching, please subscribe if you enjoy our content.