Videos

A log splitter without a log lift is like a pickup truck without a cup holder. You can still drive around town without one, but a cup holder sure makes drinking your coffee a lot easier.

If you're serious about log splitting, a hydraulic log lift makes things easier by saving you lots of time, aggravation, and a sore back. That's why at RuggedMade, log lifts are standard equipment on all of our horizontal log splitters. Check out the video to see one in action.

The FC205 checks all the boxes for what you need in a versatile forward-only plate compactor. Powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine, the FC205 can create 4,451 pounds of compaction up to 12" deep. Weighing in at 205 pounds, the FC205 is still a breeze to transport, with four handles that are perfect for loading the machine onto a pickup truck or utility trailer. The flip handle allows you to easily reverse your direction. By flipping it to the opposing side, you can re-position yourself and begin pushing the compactor in the opposite direction. Watch the video to see it in action.

Are you searching for a cost-effective plate compactor that offers more power than lighter models while still being easy to transport to job sites? Weighing 185 pounds, this machine can compact material up to 12 inches deep and is equipped with a reliable Briggs & Stratton XR series engine. Featuring a 21-inch plate, the plate compactor covers a large area and is nimble enough to operate in tight spaces. Check out the video for more details.

The FC140 plate compactor from RuggedMade is a must-have for any sidewalk, patio, or other hardscaping project. Weighing in at 140 LBS, this versatile compactor can be easily transported to and from job sites. Want to learn more? Watch this video as Jared gets you acquainted with all the features.

Jared and Nick are in the woodyard seeking to reduce the cycle time on a modified RuggedSplit 300 Series log splitter. Don't miss the results when they combine a Honda GX390 engine with a 28 GPM hydraulic pump.

Ever wonder what's inside a hydraulic cylinder? Well, we sliced one open to give you a look! Listen in as Jared takes you on a tour of the inner workings of a hydraulic log splitter cylinder. 

To choose the correct cylinder for your hydraulic system, you need to understand how to determine a number of critical measurements. Get your calipers ready, as Jared covers all the basics.

The darn pull-start doesn't pull? Don't bother trying to fix it. Your best bet is to replace the pull-start recoil assembly. Join Jared and Nick in the shop as they walk through how to do this on Honda GX series engines and clones.

If you're looking for speed, then catch the new modifications made by Jared and Nick as they pursue a five-second cycle time on a souped-up RS-322 log splitter.

Learn how to fine-tune the relief setting on your main hydraulic valve for optimum log splitter performance.

Swapping out the suction line hydraulic hose on an already amped-up RS-322 log splitter made a huge difference in performance. Watch as Jared and Nick crush a woodpile to see how fast they can fill up an IBC tote.

Is your electric starter not working on your small utility engine? We've got Jared and Nick in the RuggedMade shop covering all you'll need to know to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

Just like a vintage muscle car, RuggedMade log splitters can be souped up by installing a bigger engine and a larger pump. Watch as Jared and Joe tackle a woodpile using an RS-322 log splitter supercharged with a 420cc (15 HP) engine and a jumbo 28 GPM, 2-stage pump.

When the carburetor is the cause of your small engine troubles, it might be time for a cleaning. Catch this video to learn how to clean the carburetor in a Honda GX engine.

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Your new concrete mixer has arrived! Watch this video to see how to get it ready for use.

Few things are more frustrating than when your small engine won't start or runs rough. Before you call it quits and bring the machine to a service shop, there are some basic troubleshooting steps you can take.

There's more than one way to split firewood. If you're new to log splitting, you'll want to brush up on some basic wood-splitting techniques to get the best results when operating your log splitter.

Are you thinking of starting your own firewood business? Watch and listen in as Jake and Jared discuss some fundamentals that will help you get started selling firewood. They cover a lot of great topics, so grab your pen and paper! 

Watch as Jared and Jake test drive the lineup of RuggedMade reversible plate compactors.

The newly felled tree is on the ground. Now, watch as Jake and Jared haul it into the woodyard for processing into sellable firewood.

Whether it's landing a jetliner, driving a golf ball, or felling a tree, it's always interesting to watch how the pros get it done. Watch as a professional arborist and RuggedMade brand ambassador, Jake Pollak, demonstrates how to properly rig, climb, trim, and drop a 40-foot black birch.

There's more than one way to stack firewood. Jared and Jake cover wood stacking techniques, including how to properly load wood into firewood drying racks to improve airflow.

We're thrilled to announce RuggedMade's first brand ambassador, Jake Pollak, from Dude Ranch DIY.

Check out these modifications to a RuggedMade RS-700 Series log splitter made at the Dude Ranch DIY.

When shopping for log splitters, you'll find there are two basic styles - vertical and horizontal. If you're not sure which is best for you, watch this video as Jared and Jake from @Dude Ranch DIY discuss the pros and cons of each style.

Watch and listen as Jared and Jake from @Dude Ranch DIY compare three popular RuggedMade log splitters. Learn about the special features of each model and gain valuable insight to help pick the best splitter for your needs.

Watch Jared and Jake (@DudeRanchDIY) back at the farm to tackle another common question: What are the best ways to utilize the different log splitter wedges?

This video shows how to use the two-way, four-way, and six-way wedges as we split different-sized rounds. Jake has years of experience as an arborist and splitting his own firewood to burn and sell, so he has all kinds of insight into how best to split green wood vs. seasoned, elm vs. oak, and how to cut down that monster log full of knots.

Want to learn the basics of operating a log splitter? In this video, we cover safety tips, starting your splitter's engine, how to operate the valves, the difference between splitting horizontally vs vertically, different types of blades, how to shut down, and much more.

Before you hitch up your log splitter, watch this video to learn how to tow your log splitter. From the basics to the finer points, we cover safety tips, towing hardware, and even a few pointers on how to back up without jack-knifing.

Learn how to fine-tune the return detent on your log splitter valve for smooth and efficient cylinder cycles.

See how to unbox and assemble a RuggedSplit 500-Series log splitter.

If you cannot stream the video where you are assembling the log splitter, you can download it to your device by clicking here: 500 Series Assembly Video Download.

If you love maple syrup as much as we do, watch how the folks at the Gateway Farm use split wood to fire the boilers in the sugar house.

Watch how the RuggedSplit 500-Series log splitter get the job done in both the vertical and horizontal positions.

Ever imagined what it would be like to work with a log splitter on skis? Winter camping gear just went to a whole new level! Check out how the RuggedMade team modified a log splitter to glide across the snow!

In case you are wondering, can a log splitter split a golf ball? Watch Mike attempt to split a bunch of different sports balls.

Watch how a RuggedSplit 700-Series log splitter tackles the tough stuff at the Gateway Farm.

It wouldn't be a road trip without a little adventure. See what happen's when a wheel falls off the RuggedMade trailer on the way to the Gateway Farm.

Who needs a Ginzu knife when you can cut fruit with a log splitter?

Pick up some pointers for attaching the RuggedMade 3-point hitch log splitter to a tractor.

Watch as the RuggedMade team lends a hand to turn fallen trees in a friend's yard into a TON of firewood.

There's always something fun to watch at the Dude Ranch, especially when Jake and Jared work with the souped RuggedSplit 700-Series log splitter.

If you're a wood-splitting enthusiast, you know there's something magical about a good-looking wood pile.

See how agricultural students at Cal Poly used a RuggedMade cylinder on a project to build a 3-point hitch hydraulic crane.

Get to know the basics about hydraulic cylinders, plus learn more about RuggedMade's cylinder lineup.

Want to learn how to install a 2-stage hydraulic pump onto a small engine? We cover all the basses in this step-by-step video.

Check out these directions for starting our RuggedMade plate compactors, built with the Briggs & Stratton Engine.

In this video, we will show you how to inspect and adjust the clearance on your intake and exhaust valves on your small engine. This is also known as valve gap or valve lash. We are doing this on a Raven R420 engine, but this technique applies to many other small lawn & garden engines, such as the Honda GX90, Locin, Lifan, and Harbor Freight Predator.

In this video, we show you a simple way to test if the electric starter solenoid on your small engine is bad and how to replace it.

We are doing this on a Raven R212 engine, but this technique applies to many home & garden small engines such as Honda GX200, GX270, GX390, Loncin, Lifan, and Harbor Freight Predator.