Ryetec Contractor CV16 PTO Vertical Log Splitter with optional hydraulic winch, £3,745 (Winch adds £1,650) main pillar with plenty of capacity to prevent overheating during continuous use.
Mounting to the tractor The splitter stands on a substantial flat base with two adjustable legs at the front. Its weight and height mean it is used mounted to the tractor and stored on a hard surface. The linkage mounts are well spaced and solid, which means attaching to the tractor is as easy as most other implements. There is plenty of space to attach the PTO shaft which is supplied with the splitter.
In use ...More on previous page The Ryetec CV16 splitter was the most powerful of the machines tested and is designed for professional use. An optional winch makes it easy to handle cordwood and load heavier logs, dragging it to the splitting platform with ease.
Ryetec’s Contractor log splitters are available with an integral PTO pump, 3-phase electric pump or simple hydraulic hose connectors utilising the tractor hydraulic system with at least 50 litres/min flow rate required. The range includes models from 12–22t; models up to 16t capable of handling wood up to 125cm length. The model selected for the Farmers Guide test was the CV16, 16t model with the optional tractor PTO-driven pump mounted on the machine and driven by conventional PTO shaft. The CV16 is designed for professional use and with its topmounted splitting ram it stands almost as high as the tractor cab, making it unsuitable for use in low buildings. Hydraulic oil is stored in the
The Ryetec machine is easy to use, and can be adjusted for optimum work rates. PTO speed had a big effect on splitting speed but we found that with the tractor running at an idle for minimum fuel use, and the PTO drive in Eco position, the rate was more than adequate. For most logs the splitting table is swung into position below the splitting wedge. This provides a comfortable splitting height. Two hand levers activate the splitting ram, both above the level of the log so hands are kept well clear. The left hand lever incorporates a prong to hold logs in position until the wedge makes contact. This is ideal for irregular-shaped logs, which won’t rest upright on the table. The rate of work is high and the splitting head returns to the raised position rapidly as soon as the levers are released. When logs of consistent length are split, the rate of work can be increased by adjusting the return position of the splitting head. A movable bolt on a metering rod at the side of the machine marks the extent of upward
Winch loading The splitter supplied was fitted with an optional winch for easy loading of heavy logs and cord. This is hydraulicdriven and mounted above the splitting table. A swivel pulley allows the 20m cable to feed out to the rear or sides and a log clamp proved capable of gripping even smooth, even-shaped logs. The test involved splitting heavy oak cordwood from a field-edge pile and the winch made it easy to extract lengths for splitting which would have been awkward to move by hand. Logs are dragged to the splitter and onto the base splitting table, after which the clamp is moved clear and the wood is split. Winch control is by a small hand lever and a safety latch prevents accidental cable tensioning. A bracket is provided to store the clamp when the winch isn’t used.
Verdict The Ryetec CV16 is made for professional users to withstand heavy and frequent operation. Everything about it is heavy duty and the toughest logs, which the two smaller machines had failed to split, were dealt with in seconds. There is plenty of scope to optimise performance through the many possible adjustments but we found that for typical farm use chopping logs and cord of assorted
The CV16’s height and weight means it must be tractor-mounted when operating, especially with the winch fitted. A standard PTO shaft drive to the hydraulic pump means it can be used with any PTO-equipped tractor.
lengths and sizes it coped easily and quickly with whatever was asked of it. It’s a beast of a machine, but part of the test involved chopping logs for kindling and this was carried out easily using the standard splitting head on the waist-high table. The winch proved a great help in the field, handling heavy cordwood and loading thick branch sections. For those chopping prepared logs this would be an unnecessary luxury but for heavier material it saved considerable backache. Prices for the CV16 start at £3,040 for a model using tractor-supplied hydraulic power and for those needing to maintain a considerable supply of wood for holiday cottages or a number of farm households it should last many years and easily justify its investment.
ANGLIAN WILLOW SERVICE LTD
LOG SPLITTERS 11–50 ton 2 Speed hydraulic c/w auto return Heavy duty adjustable table
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Easy change 4 way splitter
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Designed for continual use
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01844 281349 | 07899 965471
01245 349811 or 07974 575431 Email: gwatling@anglianwillow.co.uk
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ZAGA UK • Tetsworth • Oxfordshire • OX9 7BX
travel. Downward travel limit is also adjustable.allowing setting to suit splitting on the table or base plate. The CV16’s splitting capacity is impressive and knotted logs were no challenge. Placing branches across the table to split across the grain where occasional shortening was needed was also successful but sometimes beyond the working limit causing the relief valve to activate.
09R13B
Splitting force: 16t Log capacity: 125cm length Tractor mounted: Cat 2
09R06B
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