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I have been manually splitting wood for 32 years. I split 4 cords a year, and that's not the sissy western pine that you can split with a razor blade, this is the real deal north eastern white oak, red oak, shag bark hickory, wild cherry, locust, ash, all kinds of maple, and of course, (if you know how to burn it) poplar. Much of this hard wood is stringy and when you get to knots, well, you better know how to do it.
Although I am a factory worker and therefore far from rich, it's not a question of money to buy a splitter. I call it forced exercise during the winter as I split as I use it and this is because as the weather changes, so does the size of the wood I split.
I'm 59 and have had enough. I am just hoping my 175 pounds does not blossom to 200 or more.
It's a long story so I'll save you the boredom of hearing it but a fellow worker bought this 2 years ago and as he had limited space at home, he shared this splitter with another guy down the road from me.
Both of these guys drink a LOT, and one day they went to fisticuffs over something stupid and the other guy told my bud to get it off his property.
That's where I come in. The Good Lord has always blessed me with excellent timing in most endeavors in life.
Between my bud and the other guy, they split around 15 cords of wood with it. He told me he paid $2,400 plus shipping and that I could have it for 15 Ben Franklins.
The new toy is a 42 ton with a 13 horsepower motor. Yea, much more than I need but I always did like buying the best you could afford, maintain it, and it will last you for life.-------6
Old tools of the trade
![Image](http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/image1313.jpg)
New tool of the trade. This splitter works both horizontal and vertical.
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![Image](http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/image1314.jpg)
13 horse engine
![Image](http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/image1315.jpg)
This also has a 4 way splitter attachment, which I have been using. It will cut through wood like a hot knife through butter. It's really nice when I am splitting poplar for starter wood. With the 4 way splitter, I can have a wheelbarrow of kindling in a flash. (No pun intended)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Image](http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/image1316.jpg)