Yard machine log splitter engine replacement.

[jkk04]

I purchased this splitter for $100 from the local Craigslist for the fun project.....
Actually, I was looking for a splitter that can split the logs vertically or horizontally.
I was hard to lift heavy logs on the horizontal splitter that I used to have it because of age...
Total cost was less than $300 for all and works like a champion. 
I split the firewood more than 6 cords this year alone.
Jkk

 

[jkk04]

Just finished splitting the firewood yesterday.

It has more than 6 cords of live oak trees which is very hard and good for firewood.

Jkk

 

[kenmbz]

Nice job, looks great.
Thanks for the video on how you did the engine mount conversion and replacement.

Don't know if I would sit so close to the splitter though, have had some wood pop pretty hard/far.

 

[jkk04]

Nice job, looks great.
Thanks for the video on how you did the engine mount conversion and replacement.

Don't know if I would sit so close to the splitter though, have had some wood pop pretty hard/far.

Yes, that's a little dangerous when splitting the dried logs popping the piece of wood.

In my case, the trees were cut along the property fence a couple months ago by PG&E electric company.

They are still wet so not much popping when split.

Thanks for your comment.
Jkk.

 

[cholland]

Nice. That looks a lot like the live oak I split here. I usually end up with about half live oak, half black oak. I prefer the black oak. It splits better and burns a little cleaner in my opinion.

 

[WranglerX]

Did same thing on 30 year old DURR splitter.... Repairs on 5 hp Briggs were more than cost of 6.5 HP Predator from HF.... Everything bolted up just fine....

And some of the explosive "pops" are surprising specially when it spits the log out... Leaned to stand sideways to the splitter, got to protect the "boys" you know.....

 

[sandman2234]

Mom has a Poulan wood splitter, with a 5 hp Briggs and Stratton engine (if I remember correctly). I went over and got the splitter last week and it had a new engine on it. Harbor Freight model, which I know my late step father would have NEVER purchased, so that means my late brother probably burnt the motor up and got a HF motor to replace it. Probably never mentioned it to Mom, would be my guess. A 3.0 hp to replace a 5 hp is going to be interesting when I start splitting some hard oak and put the engine under max stress.
Since I will probably end up with the splitter at some point, when the HF goes, or if it doesn't perform well, I can see a Honda or other 5 hp in its future!
David from jax

 

[jkk04]

Mom has a Poulan wood splitter, with a 5 hp Briggs and Stratton engine (if I remember correctly). I went over and got the splitter last week and it had a new engine on it. Harbor Freight model, which I know my late step father would have NEVER purchased, so that means my late brother probably burnt the motor up and got a HF motor to replace it. Probably never mentioned it to Mom, would be my guess. A 3.0 hp to replace a 5 hp is going to be interesting when I start splitting some hard oak and put the engine under max stress.
Since I will probably end up with the splitter at some point, when the HF goes, or if it doesn't perform well, I can see a Honda or other 5 hp in its future!
David from jax

Actually, I was skeptical after installing the HF engine because it was sooo cheap.($99)

Now, I am so surprised by its performance that the engine has splitted more than 12 cords of very hard live oak firewood since installed.

The engine still runs like new and will last long in my judgment.

Jkk

 

[Oaktree]

Actually, I was skeptical after installing the HF engine because it was sooo cheap.($99)

Now, I am so surprised by its performance that the engine has splitted more than 12 cords of very hard live oak firewood since installed.

The engine still runs like new and will last long in my judgment.

I had to replace the ailing B&S in my 80s vintage splitter 6-7 years ago. Local small engine guy recommended the Predator. At the time was only vaguely aware of HF's existence...they hadn't expanded into this area yet, think I paid $120 for mine online. Shipping was cheap but very slow (almost 2 weeks), but not a big deal. Fit well, though I did have to put spacers between it and the pump since the shaft was about 3/4" longer on the HF.
Did have to rotate the pull-start assembly, otherwise I'd be pulling into the beam.
It's served me well, and like you expect it to last a long time.

Never heard of live oak (as opposed to dead oak?), we have mostly red here with white a bit further south. For the most part splits reasonably well.

 

[WranglerX]

Mom has a Poulan wood splitter, with a 5 hp Briggs and Stratton engine (if I remember correctly). I went over and got the splitter last week and it had a new engine on it. Harbor Freight model, which I know my late step father would have NEVER purchased, so that means my late brother probably burnt the motor up and got a HF motor to replace it. Probably never mentioned it to Mom, would be my guess. A 3.0 hp to replace a 5 hp is going to be interesting when I start splitting some hard oak and put the engine under max stress.
Since I will probably end up with the splitter at some point, when the HF goes, or if it doesn't perform well, I can see a Honda or other 5 hp in its future!
David from jax

I was thinking Honda or B&S to replace blown engine on my acquisition, but the cost were in range of $350 and UP.... Can buy 2-3, 6.5 HP Predator motors for that amount of one Honda or B&S if HF I have now does not survive well...