For several years now I liebäugele with the purchase of a machine for splitting firewood. Until recently, I myself can not bring to buy, because I need the winter relatively little wood for my stove - in mild years none at all! And I do not heating the whole house with it. But a lot has accumulated on tree trunks in the garden, which is considered to divide it. For health reasons, the good old Spaltaxt is not an option for me.
Market Analysis and Recommendation
As in almost all areas of the market for my concern presents a first immense quantity of various models of many manufacturers. In such cases, independent reviews of the guidance can be used: Stiftung Warentest 12/2011 seven lying devices and three vertical splitter analyzed in the magazine. Although the present model is not among them, but certainly two others from the German manufacturer Atika. This company was founded in 1949 in Ahlen / Westphalia and manufactures various DIY and garden tools. In "Log Splitter" segment we find horizontally solely from this company three and nine vertical working models in its range. The horizontal machines at a glance:
(1) ASP 4N, max. Wood Size 37 x 25 cm (length x thickness), 4 t pressure, 38 kg Empty weight Atika Log splitter ASP 4 N, judgment Stiftung Warentest: gut
(2) ASP 5N, max. Wood Size 52 x 25 cm (length x thickness), 5 t pressure, 43 kg Empty weight Atika Log splitter ASP 5N (our model without stand)
(3) ASP 5N UG, max. Wood Size 52 x 25 cm (length x thickness), 5 t pressure, 49 kg Empty weight (this unit)
All three versions have the same engine: 230 volt AC, 1500 Watts.
The shorter model (1) can timber sections with a maximum length of 37 cm, models (2) and (3), however, take up 52 cm length. The minimum length, however, should also be noted! If the block of wood is in fact too short, nothing happens. In the version (1) the distance between the riving knife and fully extended piston 8 cm, at no. (2) and (3), however, 15 cm. So: Our log splitter can process any tree trunk sections that are shorter than 15 cm. Of course you can use an extension pad, which then, however, tends to uncontrolled jumping out.
I chose for the device (3) with base ("UG"). It costs, you can hardly believe it, less than his brother without UG (2)! It is delivered in its original box, and in it are, would you believe it for a second time: The mounted unit (2), completed, and the decomposed base linkage. The customer can thus even after the purchase, even during equipment use at any time decide which version he wants to use in the future. Important: The UG is not available separately (at most in separate parts, and which is then very expensive!).
So if you are flirting with the larger horizontal splitter, I strongly suggest you to run incl. Undercarriage. Apart from the cost savings you do your back a lot of good.
Installation and commissioning
The previous speaker criticized the vague assembly instructions. This criticism I can not understand. The manual includes a multi-page picture book plus a booklet, in which all operations are described in detail. Of course, one has to think carefully before starting the installation, if you have understood everything correctly. And who actually caught the wrong screw times, these exchanges give out shortly. This happens even experienced mechanics.
The assembly of the undercarriage is very simple. However, must be removed on the pedestal splitter (= execution without UG) and the wheels. By then, a second person is needed to handle the heavy aggregate safely. This is especially true when the upper and lower part are placed on one another. Single-handedly manages the probably only by means of a crane or a maintenance facility. The horizontally preassembled plastic handle (= execution without UG) must be dismantled and mounted edgewise on UG. I must confess: the original arrangement like much better. But even that is no problem: you can grip at any time move to his old position.
Report from the field
It is prescribed to hedge at least 10 A. Unfortunately, our circuit breakers are at home getting old and like to jump out at times short current spikes. This happened to me several times, but only when starting the engine. By the known increased motor starting current hedging with more than 10 amperes is therefore perhaps useful.
Our log splitter is designed for safety reasons so that the engine only using a button - no switch! - Can be activated. At the same time you have to press down the lever to build up the oil pressure to the cylinder. Leaving one of these "buttons" Come on, the splitting process is immediately interrupted. I admit that the time required for operation posture is not just convenient (especially if one does not use UG), but one stands or kneels behind by the explosive danger area. Each manufacturer of such Holzquetsche must ensure that when properly operation can no accidents happen. If he does not, he must have been the longest time manufacturers. So is also necessarily required that only one person alone can operate the device. When working in pairs, but you can save a lot of time: After successfully column can not fully return the piston to its starting position, but only for a short distance, so that the next piece of wood just fits into the gap between the pressure plate and riving knife. This is controlled by the lever: as long as you depress this, the piston is driven and remains even after the column in the maximum position. Short-term release causes a piecewise sliding back the pressure plate. So you can adjust relatively accurately.
The previous speaker wants to rebuild his device, eg switch button instead. The one must not of course according to the manufacturer. But surely, the each hobbyists do to make the job easier - I was considering the self also. Always one must necessarily bear in mind, however: If the machine is unattended around and handle children from bad things can, injuries and mutilations of the worst kind, happen that are never to be undone again. The responsibility of manufacturers for such accidents is very large and you have to accept as a customer that unintentional misuse is largely impeded. Such dangerous devices must be foolproof. That is why you must m. E. not devalue the product. For example, if the two activation levers are arranged side by side, users can deal with large hands, the security device comfortable and engage with her free hand into the danger zone, to position at about the piece of wood. That will be fine for the most part, but woe if it only once goes wrong.
For possible convenient yet prescribed service I recommend a stool to sit on, which is placed behind the engine. And for a second, reliable person who stands next to (ie behind the danger zone) and the wood to be split pieces nachlegt, you can not object. But this way of working is of course from the manufacturer not propagated, but expressly forbidden. He has the safety requirements for its part satisfied.
Care and Maintenance
A wood splitter is a grobschlächtiges tool. After a few hours of beautiful yellow paint is battered and for aesthetes not a pretty sight more. Nevertheless, such a device requires ruppiges now and then a maintenance. It is ultimately on how much wood has already been shredded.
Following operations are successively due:
- (!)> Before each use of the bleed screw (wing nut) must be loosened behind the riving knife and tightened again after the work.
- Sharpen> Front edge of the riving knife and deburring (using a fine file)
-> Check the oil level (utilizing an oil dipstick)
-> The first oil change is advised after 50 hours, any more after every 250 hours of operation
Recommendations for suitable hydraulic oil can be found in the instructions on page 10 degrees.
Attributes and ratings at a glance
+ For small quantities of wood perfectly adequate in quality and performance
Lt. + Stiftung Warentest, the best of all horizontal splitter tested in Issue 12/2011
+ Surprisingly low power consumption (as with most competing models also)
+ Solid build quality, robust construction
+ Width of undercarriage = distance between the two wheels is 73 cm; which takes you through any normal (basement) door
+ Sufficiently illustrated and clearly understandable assembly and operating instructions
+ Back Gentle undercarriage. Something has mW hardly any other manufacturer, and even cheaper than the basic model!
+ Easy splitting process (guaranteed without nuclear waste!), Even in continuous operation
+ Stable Hand Apron hardly interferes with the operation of the device
+ Two-hand operation is cumbersome, but necessary for security reasons!
o The base is firmly screwed to the log splitter. This device acts expansive and requires a significantly larger storage space. Since one can unfortunately not fold.
o Falling wooden blocks can fall on the user's hand in the amount of engine button
- The bleed screw seems a bit puny and unwieldy. This should be improved.
- The replacement of the hydraulic oil is severely hampered by the undercarriage.
Summary
If you have to divide rather small amounts of firewood, save your back there and work relatively easily want, then you are very well served with this log splitter. The strict safety regulations alone are to blame, that the convenience, however, is limited and the user is forced in his work to the concentration. Stupide routine should not creep in only!
