wood splitter options?

[jk96]

Looking at the following options.

Brand new - Huskee 35 ton with Kohler command pro 9.5 hp engine. $1950 after tax
Brand new - Huskee 22 ton with Kohler (not command pro) engine $1100 after tax

or

Used - 2007 year Huskee 35 ton with Briggs 12.5 hp engine. $1200 no tax.

The used unit is a one owner, older couple, who used it for personal use. Looks to be in great shape and starts easily. I'm leaning toward the used unit. Anyone have any experience with these units? My main concern is the engine life and build quality. Any other brands I should be looking at?

Jeremy

 

[caver]

I would go new 22 ton as it's cheaper, it has a warranty Or haggle down on the price of the used one.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/318896-log-splitter-advice.html

 

[JRobyn]

I've been using my BIL's 35ton Huskee, probably about 2007 vintage with the Briggs. It works great AFTER I cleaned out the mouse nests inside the engine shroud, replaced all the fuel lines (rotting from the inside out due to ethanol gas), and rebuilt the carb. It's also WAY heavier duty than we really need. If you need to rebuild the Nikki carb, be very careful to not lose the little main jet that is held in by nothing but friction when you remove the plastic metering body.

- Jay

 

[jk96]

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

 

[oosik]

I have Ponderosa pine - big stuff, up to 34" on the butt. When I used to split wood I had a 25 ton Didier splitter and many times a knot or major limb fork would completely stop the splitter. The ton rating you finally purchase should be chosen with this in mind.

You will soon forget the $$ saved if the splitter can't do the job.

 

[DennisArrow]

I have pretty much that same splitter........ 2007, 35 ton B&S 12.5 hp engine..........Sounds like the one you are looking at, old folks who used it for themselves, sounds kinda
seldom used...........I have split maybe 150 true cords, 4' x 8' x 4' , of hickory and oak of all sizes with it........8" diameter to up to 36" with forks, knots, and gnarly grain......

It starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull no matter how cold outside, usually the 2nd. Have spent zero money on it for maintenance besides a plug, oil, and air filters.....The hydro parts have been flawless with zero anything to comment about......Who knows how many hours on the engine and unit.....5 or 6 hundred...........

One thing about that unit, Speeco, is that there are accessories for it that make it more useable. An ouput table and 4-way splitter head, totally make it productive.

This is with ME operating and maintaining the unit...I take care of my machinery....I would ask $1000 if I was to sell it, as I try to be honest and real with what I do and it has LOTS of hours on it, though nothing is wrong, it uses zero oil, doesn't smoke, and runs like a champ........it's just well used. So......Offer what you do......Hard choice to make but for me, even though used, if it was taken care of, there isn't much to go wrong.....God bless...........Dennis

 

[2458n]

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.

 

[Nightforce]

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® engine
2-year limited warranty

 

[Ken45101]

IDK, I had a Huskee and finally gave up on it, I was tired of constantly fixing problems. Unlike some of you, I didn't use it for months at a time and it sat unused and that's bad on them, especially with the ethanol crap that's forced down our carbs.

I went to a 3pt splitter. It works well and there are no ethanol issues with the diesel tractor! ;-) BUT I hate connecting/unhooking the splitter for a few hours of work so I don't use it like that.

It has crossed my mind to go back to a gas powered splitter but I think I would go with a Honda engine, they seem to have better reputations than B&S. YMMV. Lowes carries splitters with Honda engines.

 

[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

 

[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.