Harbor Freight Log Splitter Review

[apfaff]

One last question on these HF splitters:
What is the difference between their 'Greyhound' and 'Central Hydraulics' brands? I'm guessing its only the engine, but just want to make sure. When they call out 'central hydraulics' its usually a robins subaru or 'loncin' engine. The 'greyhound' brand seems to be their own low-cost engine. Has anyone ever heard of 'loncin'. Sounds like a cheap Chinese motor to me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[IslandTractor]

One last question on these HF splitters:
What is the difference between their 'Greyhound' and 'Central Hydraulics' brands? I'm guessing its only the engine, but just want to make sure. When they call out 'central hydraulics' its usually a robins subaru or 'loncin' engine. The 'greyhound' brand seems to be their own low-cost engine. Has anyone ever heard of 'loncin'. Sounds like a cheap Chinese motor to me.

Thanks in advance.

I'd opt for the Robin engine if you had a choice. Those are not quite up to Honda standards but are competitive with Kohler etc.

 

[2smart4me]

I don稚 see any posting of anyone who has had a HF 30 ton log splitter that is several years old.
I would like to know how it has held up and what if any problems thy have had and would they recommend it?

 

[woodsroad]

Hearth.com Wood Stove and Pellet Stove Forums....and much more! | My Harbor Freight 30 ton splitter experience...

I have had my HF 30 ton splitter since February of 2007, have split about 15 cords with it, then the unit had a major cylinder leak. Gusher. Read the posts on hearth.com all the way through...if anyone has had a similar experience, I'd like to hear about it. Upshot is that the cylinder design may be faulty.

 

[2smart4me]

It's true I got a HF add today and it has the 30 ton splitter stating ( fluid capacity : 2.5 gallons) now what damage could hot hy. oil do??

 

[woodsroad]

It's not the hot hydraulic fluid that will hurt you, because it will not. The danger is that the ram is no longer held inside the cylinder and can be shot out under 2500 PSI of pressure.

Can you say loss of fingers?

 

[Trafficman]

I got mine in 2002, B&S motor died about 3 yrs ago, Converted over to a hydraulic hookup for my BX22 & haven't looked back. Never had any problems with the Ram. The reservoir yes, multiple leaks, at the return fitting, seams, suction fitting. Welded until removed for the BX hookup. Replaced all the hoses twice.
Central Hydraulics is made by 51% owned Chinese Government. Greyhound 49% loncin is a motor made for China by a contract manufacturer, origin unspecified. Good luck getting parts. DAMHIKT
HTH, T-Man.

 

[MISSOURI1]

new to the site 1st post, I have a central hydralics 24 ton splitter, with briggs , works good currently has small leak near filter(havent diagnosed yet) I have had it about 5-6 years spends most of its time stored outside tarped and has split about 10 full cords, this was given to me but for the reccord I refuse to buy anything besides plastic wire ties form harbor freight china job tool company, ohh and the wedge is fastened to the ibeam with a flat plate that binds up even under no load

 

[Mudfarmer]

Speaking of Harbor Freight logsplitters, anyone tried their 3 point mounted 14 ton hydraulic splitter (see link)?

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[ayelvington]

I have one and I like it. It's on the back of my Kubota BX-24 and it works just fine. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/158895-harbor-freight-3-point-log.html

Speaking of Harbor Freight logsplitters, anyone tried their 3 point mounted 14 ton hydraulic splitter (see link)?

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[rambler]

The manual states not to split anything larger than 8".

Huh? My furnace door is 9x11 and 27 inches deep firebox. The closer to that size the wood is, the longer it burns over nite.

I wouldn't even consider splitting wood under 8 inches.

What a stupid line in the manual. I'd have to return the thing!

Around here we have a lot of dead elm wood. 30 ton doesn't sound like too much when you are splitting a 2-3 foot elm log 27 inches long.

--->Paul

 

[woodsroad]

The HF 30T splitter rips right through crotch Elm. Lots of power, a well designed wedge...too bad some of the other crucial parts of the splitter are pure crap.

So I'm in the process of rebuilding it. I've repaired the cylinder, replaced the hoses and replaced the bootleg valve with a genuine Prince unit (LS-3000-1). I also replaced the undersized return filter, added pressure gauges and took off all the stupid HF stickers.

I'll post pix as soon as it it is all finished...I can't wait!

 

[2smart4me]

I hope some one can help me, I bought a 30 ton Harbor Freight Log Splitter, awesome machine, rips right thru cottonwood, but has blown the return hose off several times, I spent the bucks to make it a high presser hose, now it blows the filter off. After blowing the filter off 3 times in less then a hour and at 3 gallons of hydraulic oil each time I have a blow out, I removed the filter to finish my wood splitting job with out any other mishaps.
I cut the first filter open and there was some orange paint in it but not enough to plug it. Inspecting the set up the return hoes comes out of the directional valve at 1 inch, goes thru a 1 ｼ inch hose goes into the filter housing at 1 inch and out of the filter housing into the hydraulic reservoir at ｾ inch, this is where I think the design error is, it痴 restricting the flow. I have looked at others and see they have put the filter on the pump inlet side. Also how do you remove 15 gallons of oil from my work area? Any advice would be helpful.

 

[Travelover]

...........Also how do you remove 15 gallons of oil from my work area? Any advice would be helpful.

Lots and lots of kitty litter?

 

[IslandTractor]

Also how do you remove 15 gallons of oil from my work area? Any advice would be helpful.

Call BP, they have been brushing up on available technologies.

 

[Travelover]

...........I have looked at others and see they have put the filter on the pump inlet side. .............

I think this has been discussed here before - you may need to do a search. It seems like filtering on the intake side makes more sense.

 

[merlintractor]

Another POS HF splitter story...

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=74412

 

[carpenter383]

30 ton Harbor Freight Log Splitter, awesome machine, rips right thru cottonwood.

I've never heard of cotton wood being much of a feat to split lol
Throw some sycamore on it for a real test
Take a look at other brands of splitters and see where the filter's are located then copy the design. You might wanna check your pressure too, maybe the relief valve is sticky?
Hot hydraulic oil under high pressure is very dangerous, be careful!!

 

[Charlesaf3]

So update - still using it, it's been outside for 8 years plus now, still going strong, with a couple of carburetor cleanings. Wouldn't really change anything I put in the first review. My valve auto return stopped working, actually came on here to see if anyone had any ideas, but I won't cry if I have to replace it.

 

[big bubba]

Call BP, they have been brushing up on available technologies.

nice touch w/the humor yup, they're the ones