wood splitter options?

[JRobyn]

Speaking of ethanol, are the newer engines built to handle the ethanol requirements any better than years past?

I do NOT really think that anyone has made any changes to better handle ethanol. The problem with it in smaller engines is the SIT time where they are unused, and the ethanol absorbs moisture from the air inside the tank. The ethanol/water mix is the problem. Best just to leave things either totally empty or totally full when they will not be used for more than a few weeks.

- Jay

 

[jk96]

I would approach them with ten new 100 dollar bills and tell them it will have a good home. Let them decide it is your offer and their choice. I have had grumpy old farmers tell me that is not what I was asking. Well you will learn that there is not a shortage of grumpy old farmers with stuff to sell. At a 1000 you both should be happy.

I talked to the gentleman yesterday and he would not budge off of the $1200 price. Didn't seem to care if he sold it or not. I went back out to TSC and ended up buying a 28 ton unit that just came in. Price for it was $1299 so for an extra $100 I ended up with a new unit. It was fully assembled and ready to use which was also a plus. Ran it for a short time late last night. Seemed to have plenty of power and no issues splitting even the larger 20-24" logs I had.

I do NOT really think that anyone has made any changes to better handle ethanol. The problem with it in smaller engines is the SIT time where they are unused, and the ethanol absorbs moisture from the air inside the tank. The ethanol/water mix is the problem. Best just to leave things either totally empty or totally full when they will not be used for more than a few weeks.

- Jay

When I picked up the splitter I chatted for a bit with an older gentleman who was looking at a mower. We started talking about small engines. He was an aviation mechanic and recommended running a small engine dry when not in use for a long time then running and storing with a small amount of aviation fuel. Said it won't go bad, draw moisture, or gum up in storage like regular gasoline. Anyone have any thoughts on this.

 

[QueBota]

Have the exact same unit, Honda GS power, has split everything I threw at it. Honda engines are top notch, sips fuel, relatively quite, starts on first or second pull, doesn't seem to mind Ethanol. Only minor complaint, cycle time is a little slow. Lowes had them for no payments/no interest for one year, I paid it off in month 11 to make sure I didn't incur the outrageous penalites that result if you go beyond 1 year.Would by another one.

Q

My youngest daughter bought me a new log splitter for Fathers Day, bless her little heart! :laughing:

She bought me the 27 ton Troy-Bilt over to Lowe's. It was in a crate and although all the important stuff was pre-assembeled, I had to put all the major parts together in order to use it......

It's split everything I've thrown at it so far up to 30" in diameter.....:thumbsup:



27 ton ram force
25" maximum log capacity
Heavy duty, 2-stage pump
3 gallon hydraulic reservoir
Easily changes from vertical to horizontal operation
Hitch and jack stand included
190cc* Vertical OHV/OHC Hondaｮ engine
2-year limited warranty

 

[DennisArrow]

I do NOT really think that anyone has made any changes to better handle ethanol. The problem with it in smaller engines is the SIT time where they are unused, and the ethanol absorbs moisture from the air inside the tank. The ethanol/water mix is the problem. Best just to leave things either totally empty or totally full when they will not be used for more than a few weeks.

- Jay

+1 and..................The stuff eats...EATS.....eats up rubber O rings, gaskets, and fuel lines........In addition, on Honda small engines I have encountered twice now that it corrodes up and ruins the float bowl itself........

One can get ethanol free fuel most anywhere, instead of aviation stuff. No problem with the aviation fuel; but it is a very HIGH octane which may hurt some small engines. Those of you that are close to boating or marinas, ethanol free gasoline is really common.......For me, I just run the engine till it's dry and then use up what is left in the tank.........

In addition, each can of gas that I bring home is immediately treated with "Stabil" or that newer stuff "Startron"........I do that and put in a slug of Lucas fuel treatment........Since doing this maybe 4 years ago......NO FUEL RELATED PROBLEMS........God bless.......Dennis

 

[caver]

I'm just the opposite, I've had more trouble with bad gas on Honda engines. Those fuel effeciant main jets seem to plug up real easy.

 

[Pilot]

I have a pic of a jar of ethanol contaminated fuel a friend drained from his motorcycle which had sat for the winter. Lots of crap in the fuel, some of it looked like algae. Ethanol absorbs water from the air and I suspect the algae fed on that.

Go to Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada to find sources of ethanol free gas.

Splitters should last a long time and almost anything on them can be fixed. 20 years ago I bought a well used old rental unit. Over the years I have replaced the B&S engine (about $225) and replaced pressure hoses just to be sure it's safe (<$25). It's now due for a valve, about $100. With the new valve, I will have spent a total of about $900 on it plus gas and oil and will have split a lot of wood. Never any ethanol gas in it. Starts on the second pull if not the first. 5 HP engine, it splits anything I want, going thru 3" Douglas-fir knots--although it does slow down on those knots. Splits 24" logs, no problem. Decals saying what ton rating it had are all worn off, but measuring the diameter of the cylinder I estimated it was about 20 tons. You gotta be splitting some really big or really tough stuff to need 35 tons.

 

[MacLawn]

I loathe ethanol. Use the link above to find real gasoline.

Now, ye're not gonna want to hear my wood splitting method, but I just use my old Sotz Monster Maul. It has split everything I throw at it for past 40 years. Ye've got to understand, I ain't nary whippersnapper. I'm 65 going on 66, bad back from Vietnam days, arthritis, fibromyalgia, daily pain, but, I firmly believe the reason I can still outwork most whippersnappers on a decent day is because I still use me old body. I like splitting wood with me maul. I also just got a new, oh wha's that Finnish axe called, y'all know. I'll try it out too. My nephew got one of them gas powered splitters. I tease that boy about it. Old Unk still using me arms. Biscuit power. I told ye y'all won't like my suggestion.

 

[JRobyn]

... oh wha's that Finnish axe called, y'all know...

Fiskars X-27. Nice splitter. My wife likes the one I bought her for her B'Day!
GO biscuit power!!!
- Jay

 

[MacLawn]

That's it Jay! Haven't used mine yet. Hmmmm, got ye wife splitting for ye, eh? I ain't going there.

 

[Rford]

In the KC area, some Quick Trips now carry gasoline without any ethanol.