Need a new log spliiter... thinking 37 Ton NorthStar?

[JohnTso]

Have you looked at ramsplitter? You are not far from Rockford where they are made. I can't speak to the style you are looking at but I use the skid steer version on my Toolcat and am happy with it. Price was right too.

dsb

Yes, I have, but they want to refer you to a dealer. Their dealers want $1,300.00 more for the 30 Ton Ramsplitter over the 37 Ton NT model.

 

[dieselbeef]

I HAVE THE SPEERCO 35 ton...at half throttle it will split rounds over 25''. easily. the hardest meanest strigyest oak ya can even saw..it will split. easy filter access. tows good...unstoppable..i havent found anything it wont split yet..if it wont split it it will shear it in half.

 

[JohnTso]

Yesterday I picked up my NorthStar 37 TON splitter from the Wisconsin NT store. Today, I filled the reservoir with fluid and engine with oil. Started on the first pull. I cycled the ram a dozen times to fill the cylinder and purge the air from it and all the lines. I'm going to let it sit overnight and check for leaks tomorrow morning.

I lucked out and purchased the last one they had. It was completely assembled, except for fluids, and they waived the $150.00 assembly fee. Actually it was a great deal, because these come pretty much broken down. save me a lot of heavy lifting and time. I did check all the hydraulic connections to make sure they were properly assembled and tight.

This unit is their latest version. It has the exhaust pointed away from the operator station and it now has 3/16" steel shield in front of the engine and gas tank. The shield also extends part way over the top of the engine and gas tank. The idea behind this shielding is to prevent logs, stuck on the splitter head, from damaging engine and gas tank during retraction. This had been a problem reported by owners, so they must be listening to the their feedback.

The Honda engines are sweet. The auto idle feature works slick. The ram retracts at full speed (i.e. RPM) and once the splitter head enters the dog house the hydraulic control shifts from reverse into neutral and engine goes to idle.

FYI - while I was there the manager mentioned they had just received a price increase for their entire line of log splitters, but I didn't think to ask how much. Based on competing product pricing, I'm sure the increase will be a couple of hundred bucks. It was a very good deal at $1800.00

 

[jpm1]

Congrats on your new splitter! Rules state you must put up pictures or return splitter!
Before you go to far check the wheel bearings and it would be best to repack them with bearing grease. The come with a thin film like a rust prevenative on them.
I will be home all weekend, bring your splitter over and break it in. I've got a bunch of dried 30" hard maple you can split. . . . Well i think you made a good choice anyways. . .John

 

[SPYDERLK]

I HAVE THE SPEERCO 35 ton...at half throttle it will split rounds over 25''. easily. the hardest meanest strigyest oak ya can even saw..it will split. easy filter access. tows good...unstoppable..i havent found anything it wont split yet..if it wont split it it will shear it in half.

Yeah. But then my 18T home built does that just fine - even Ys and knotty stuf. I have done up to 40 inch diameter regular logs. Its the 4 way split function that requires the high forces and that mode isnt for the big stuf anyway.
larry

 

[JohnTso]

Congrats on your new splitter! Rules state you must put up pictures or return splitter!
Before you go to far check the wheel bearings and it would be best to repack them with bearing grease. The come with a thin film like a rust prevenative on them.
I will be home all weekend, bring your splitter over and break it in. I've got a bunch of dried 30" hard maple you can split. . . . Well i think you made a good choice anyways. . .John

How about I take some pictures when I get into some of the more interesting stuff (e.g. crotches & big rounds).

I did give it trial run yesterday. Largest log was 18" diameter oak and it was split with ease. I split more than a weeks worth of wood in less than a hour. Cycle time is quick. If you have a log 16" or under you better watch were your free hand is when you engage the splitter.

I left the log splitter attach to my Polaris Sportsmen 800 X2. Made for a stable platform with a slight slope to the foot of the splitter. I'm 6' 2" and the work height was perfect for me. Too many of the log splitters I looked at were far to low for me.

The Honda engine just starts and runs sweet. They've got a good muffler to begin with and the engineers at NT were smart to have pointed it and exhaust 180 degrees away from the operator station. I can't say enough about the auto-idle feature. Makes for a far more pleasurable wood splitting experience. No doubt it save big on fuel operating costs along with wear and tear on all components.

I've got it back in the heated shop and will give it a good check out. First impressions are a big thumbs up.

 

[dieselbeef]

doesnt the table tilt vertical...mine does..best feature..no lifting

 

[JohnTso]

Yup, it goes vertical. I just haven't go to any really big stuff at this point.

 

[jpm1]

Ok John, Parties over, you did a trial run and everything so wheres the pictures? Rules are rules ! . . .John :laughing: :laughing: