Ariens log splitter--should'a kept my old log splitter!

[Pilot]

My splitter was probably 30+ years old; was a rental unit before I bought it. Brand unknown. 5 hp Briggs engine unknown tonnage rating for hydraulics. The valve was getting tired and the cylinder was leaking.

Sold it, got a new Ariens, 6 hp, 27 ton. Looks prettier, but otherwise I'm not impressed. Old one started on 3rd pull every time. Ariens, not so good, gotta have the throttle set just right and the throttle arm needs to be an inch or two longer for better leverage; it's really tight. Takes 4-6 pulls. Ok, got it running and it doesn't split better or faster than the old one & doesn't handle large logs as well. When it gets a tough piece it slows and almost gives up, while the old one just slowed down a little then plowed right on thru. Biggest peeve is splitting kindling. I like to split thin pieces about 3/4 inch thick or less, usually 16-18" long, best if the pieces come off shaped like a shim so the thin end lights right up and burns into the thicker portion. No problem on the old one. But on the Ariens the wedge is so wide (4.5") that half way along the log the proposed kindling breaks in 2. I'm splitting Douglas-fir and cherry.

Some one posted a positive review of the Ariens which influenced me a little in making my purchase. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Dftodd]

I bought a 27 ton dirty hand tools brand. Had the 6hp koehler engine. And had the same issue as yours with bogging way down.

I ended up doing some horse trading and got a hold of a 4.5hp yanmar diesel with electric start. It took about two hours to stuff it in place of the koehler. That made a huge difference in performance. :thumbsup: Plus it only uses1/3 of a gallon of diesel per 6 hours of use

 

[5030]

Most older things are better.... Including myself.

 

[s219]

The Ariens splitters are just a different paint job on the low end splitters available under a lot of other brand names at Lowes and HD. I had hoped for more, but they aren't any better. Some company cranks out the same splitters for Ariens, Cub Cadet, MTD, Troybilt, etc....

 

[turnkey4099]

The "bogs way down" is just the pump shifting into the hi-power mode.

I have a Troy Bilt with Honda motor. Only complaint I have is the recoil spring isn't wound tight enough, doesn't like to retract in cool/cold weather.

Harry K

 

[LD1]

Without knowing the tonnage rating (pressure and cylinder diameter) and flow (speed) its hard to compare the speed or analyze the bogging issue.

But, how you describe splitting kindling, it seems like your older splitter had more of a knife edge wedge where as the new one has a wide wedge to pop the pieces apart faster. Those wider wedges do require more power to push through stringy nasty stuff.

I prefer the knife edge style. Which is what I used when I built mine. Is your wedge on the ram or on the beam? If on the ram, perhaps make a new one knife-edge style and see if its any better.

Hard starting...not much to do about that. I think small motors all have their own temperament. And no 2 are alike. Some like no throttle and full choke, some full throttle and full choke, some 1/2 throttle, and full choke. Then when to back the choke down? After it pops off once, choke clear off or just back it down half?

Old tractors with gassers were similar. It takes time to figure out the start sequence the engine likes best without flooding.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Old one started on 3rd pull every time. Ariens, not so good, gotta have the throttle set just right and the throttle arm needs to be an inch or two longer for better leverage; it's really tight. Takes 4-6 pulls.

I've seen quite a few complaints on those "Chinese" made Kohlers being hard starting, in fact some wouldn't start at all IF they were left out in the cold. Seems they are sent out with the carb so lean, they start hard when cold.

The fix is, using the right size drill bit to let more fuel in...

SR

 

[JMER817]

I recently purchased a 27 ton Troy-bilt with a Honda motor. So far no complaints. Has split everything I put on it and starts first pull.

 

[JMER817]

I recently purchased a 27 ton Troy-bilt with a Honda motor. So far no complaints. Has split everything I put on it and starts first pull. Got a great deal on it as well, regular price $1399, got the manager to sell it to me for $999.

 

[EddieWalker]

When looking at log splitters, I compared all the different brands in the similar price and tonnage range and decided on the Troy Bilt sold at Lowes for the very simple reason of it having a Honda engine. I'm sure there are other differences with the hydraulics, but overall, I felt that all of them where pretty much similar in everything except the engine. For me, getting a small engine to start is what makes my day, or ruins it. Honda is the standard that every other small engine is compared to in the reviews. A good review of another brand will say something like, it's just about as good as a Honda, or they like it as much as they did their Honda, or for the money, it's a better deal then paying for the Honda. After awhile, I realized, Honda is at the top of the mountain for a reason!!!!