Brave log splitter

[Ridgewalker]

My cousin and I have split a splitter! We are the proud owners of a Brave 22 ton V/H splitter. It's got a 6.5 HP B&S Vanguard engine with a 14 second cycle time. We are putting it together today and hope to try it this afternoon.

Anyone here use a Brave? We researched a ton and this seems to be the best bang for our buck. It's American made which was important to us for this purchase, we both really like Honda engines but went with B&S for this tool. Seems like the Vanguard line has a good rep.

 

[SnowRidge]

I looked at those. The same company makes the Iron and Oak commercial splitters. Best I could tell, the Braves don't have a hydraulic filter. Can you confirm that?

 

[Ridgewalker]

It has a spin on , 25 micron filter on the hydraulic system.

 

[waynokakid]

I bought a used 20 ton Brave splitter 2 years ago. I have been pleased with it. Split about 5 cords a year with it. And mine does have a hydraulic filter. Mine has a 5hp B&S on it.

 

[maxny]

I've had a Brave 8hp splitter for many years. Works every time. Never had anything break on it and it does have a filter. It's built like a tank.

 

[Dunham Farm]

I have the Iron and oak BH 4003 splitter and it's great well built.
Iron & Oak Commercial Log Splitters - PRODUCTS

Brian

 

[SimS]

I have a Brave splitter with an 8hp motor. Works great, has a hydraulic filter. The only problem I have had is a slow leak in one of the tires. Slimed it and no more problem.

SimS

 

[Ridgewalker]

Update, we got it together yesterday. The hardest part was getting it out of the crate. The splitter was in 3 big pieces and went together pretty quickly. We bought the optional log dis-lodger and that was a bit of a pain to bolt on.

We followed the instructions on how to prime the hydraulic system, gassed and oiled the motor and were ready to go. The B&S started on the second pull.

We had some old elm and cherry laying around that was too knotty for our maul and tested with that. It worked just fine, one piece did make it grunt a little but it got thru it.

As best as I can tell, it's AMERICAN MADE! Brave is in Streator, IL and I am hoping B&S still makes the Vanguard series in the U.S. I checked their website and it's hard to tell what is made where.

This coming weekend its getting a full workout, weather permitting. I need some wood!

We paid $1,400 with taxes, hyd oil, oil, dis-lodger; and plan to try to sell that much firewood so the splitter pays for itself. After that it will only used for our personal needs.

So, anyone need a rank of Saint Francois Mountain White Oak? I am thinking I can sell it for $65 to $75 per rank, delivered and stacked. I will have a VERY limited delivery zone.

 

[IXLR8]

So, anyone need a rank of Saint Francois Mountain White Oak? I am thinking I can sell it for $65 to $75 per rank, delivered and stacked. I will have a VERY limited delivery zone.

Silly question.. what is a "rank"? I have only heard of wood being measured in "cords".
Does your 'limited' delivery zone include Maine??

 

[KentT]

Silly question.. what is a "rank"? I have only heard of wood being measured in "cords".
Does your 'limited' delivery zone include Maine??

Think he's talking about a "rick" or a "face-cord" -- i.e. a 4' x 8' stack of the cut firewood ... where a full cord is acually 4' x 8' x 4' cube.

For example, if your firewood is 24" long it takes 2 ricks to equal a full cord, or if cut at 16" long, it takes 3 ricks to equall a full cord.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Kent nailed it...it's kind of funny how the name varies from region to region.

A rank is half a cord, 4'x8'x (16-18"). A cord is two ranks. Note that we do cut shorter than Kent said, most suburban fireplaces in this area like 16-18 length.
I think we are cheating a bit on the total lenght according to Kent's comment.

My cousin has an outdoor Hardy stove, I have seen him toss 24" chunks in it that I couldn't come close to burning in my fireplace.

I am hoping my delivery zone is my street and maybe the one down from it.
I don't really want to sell firewood but I am determined to make this thing pay for itself. Plus hurricane Ike knocked down a LOT of trees on my 50 that need cleaning up. I lost some huge white and black oaks.

 

[Highbeam]

Kent nailed it...it's kind of funny how the name varies from region to region.

A rank is half a cord, 4'x8'x (16-18"). A cord is two ranks. Note that we do cut shorter than Kent said, most suburban fireplaces in this area like 16-18 length.
I think we are cheating a bit on the total lenght according to Kent's comment.

QUOTE]


Obviously, a "rank" is not half a cord if it is 16" long splits. It is 1/3 of a cord. It is illegal to sell wood by any such hokie measurement method in our state. A cord is a measurement of volume and is the only legal way to sell wood here. Maybe we can start selling wood by the bananna? That said, some local regions have even stranger traditions than this and when in Rome....

Oh and congrats on the splitter. Your wood splitting chores will go much faster and your body will ache much less.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Kent nailed it...it's kind of funny how the name varies from region to region.

A rank is half a cord, 4'x8'x (16-18"). A cord is two ranks. Note that we do cut shorter than Kent said, most suburban fireplaces in this area like 16-18 length.
I think we are cheating a bit on the total lenght according to Kent's comment.

QUOTE]


Obviously, a "rank" is not half a cord if it is 16" long splits. It is 1/3 of a cord. It is illegal to sell wood by any such hokie measurement method in our state. A cord is a measurement of volume and is the only legal way to sell wood here. Maybe we can start selling wood by the bananna? That said, some local regions have even stranger traditions than this and when in Rome....

QUOTE]

A rank is half a cord in this area, I can't help if it everyone assumes that 16-18" length is the standard, it is what it is. Put that banana in your pipe and smoke it! Hokie my foot! Dang Norwester, who asked for your opinion anyway?