I know there’s a couple of guys here that know this equipment so I’m trolling for a curbside consult. I went ahead and ran grid juice to my pole barn (which is where I’d cut, stack, and store firewood) so I figured I could save some money and hassle by foregoing another gas engine and just get an electric splitter.
Any suggestions for a low maintenance, durable model?
I wouldn’t go electric myself, but to each his own. Check this out: http://www.baileysonline.com/Forestry-Woodcutting/Wood-Splitting-Power/Electric-Splitters/Oregon-6-Ton-Electric-Log-Splitter.axd
If you have a tractor, get a hydraulic one.
This is the one I use from Northern Tool…works even in an outage 
How’s your research coming along Dave? You may want to check with the Montana’s Man Club to see if electric splitters can even be imported to your state. I know Wisconsin doesn’t allow it, well I think they may make an exception for Madison. Anyway, you’re probably better off with a gas powered unit. 
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Given the lack of power and slow speed of the electric splitters, these may be a better option with the benefit of some exercise.
^^^ This or a gas model if you don’t. I have never used an electric anything that was close to what the gas or hydralic models put out.
That appears to be the problem. I can’t locate an electric unit with more than 5-7 ton capacity and by then the cost is approaching a gas powered unit. I was just hoping I could avoid a other gas engine to maintain but I seem to be SOL.
What’s so hard about maintaining a small gas engine? Especially a small air cooled 8 to 10 hp unit. Use some STABIL with your ethanol gas mixture and use a synthetic motor oil. Make sure you run it for about 10 minutes every few months.
Have you looked into the flywheel electric splitters?
http://www.supersplit.com/index.htm
If you Google flywheel log splitters you will see plans for building your own, too.
That’s a nice looking outfit. I’ll have to research that a little more.
As for the electric model, I think I figured out why there aren’t many commercial models available that have comparable splitting capacities to the gas-powered units. A 5hp engine generates around 4000 watts of power (all you mechanical/engineering types forgive me if a butcher this explanation). So an electric unit plugged into a 110 circuit would need a dedicated 40 amp breaker to work. Or a 20amp circuit for 220V. Either way, your average homeowner isn’t going to have that type of service readily available in their garage or backyard, hence not many of these units around.
I’ve used those Supersplit Flywheel type splitters before. Good for wood that is straight and doesn’t have any large knots in it. Very fast action. I’m surprised their still legal. Watch your fingers. DR is now marketing these. http://www.drpower.com/power-equipment/log-splitters/#page_no=1&src=&_=1389556201598