Propertymaint
Silver Member
For anyone who cuts there own fire wood, I bought a "Woodsman" PTO cordwood saw last year. I spent many a winter with my father on the "catch end" when I was a kid and thought I should have one of my own. I don't do but 4 cords a year or so but I thought I would keep up tradition. The newer models have come a long way from the twisted leather belt unit we used to have. The cordwood saw works well although the pully system only uses two v-belts which slip a bit under load. I've tried tightening them a couple times but they 'still slip a bit. Going to swap out the belts with new ones and see if it solves the issue. Also, I've been searching for a log splitter for some time now and looked at a lot of models. I decided to take a chance on the Harbor freight unit mainly because of first cost. Unless it's making money everyday, I find it hard to purchase a top line piece of equipment to be used minimally around the yard. I originally ordered the 20 ton splitter with the 6 hp Robin engine, however it got backordered a couple times. Ended up going with the 24 ton unit with 8 hp Briggs. The splitter came crated and required assembly which I actually enjoyed doing (being a gear head and all). I modified the location of the control valve for better ergenomics. I have split about 2 1/2 cords so far - oak, birch, elm - and it's done everything its supposed to do. I thought about building one at first but I think it would have cost almost as much as what I paid for this one. I have purchased a few items from HF in the past - some good and some not so good - this splitter appears to be built fairly well. All the welds are decent, the pump is a two stage "Haldex" (which is made by Barnes) the unit has a hydraulic filter, holds about 4 1/2 gals of hydraulic fluid and all the fittings were NPT thread?! I admit, if I bought it to make money with I would have gone with a Timberwolf, but for homeowner use it's a decent unit for the guy who can turn a wrench.