New woodsplitter

Bacfin · Apr 22, 2011

Ford850 said:
I have a Huskee 22 ton from TSC and it works great. I split more than the average guy I guess, and it has worked like new for several years now. The briggs engine has been perfect. I let it run dry before storing for more than a week and it starts right up every time.
Be sure to check those Honda engines before buying. They import junk from China just like some of the others, so not all of their engines are great. They made nice engines for years, and now they are cashing in on their name.

Hi Ford850,

How can I tell if my Honda is China made unit? I think it is a 160CGV, not a CX.

Thanks,

oldmech · Apr 22, 2011

Hi! I think Honda GX are a lot better than the GC engines. GX engines are OHV with solid gear camshaft. GC are over head camshaft with synthetic sprocket gear and rubber timing belt. GX are more expensive. I dont understand why we cannot make good small engine here in America. Our companies goes in China for makes more money. Soon here no more jobs and no more money for buy Americain over sea products. Very sad for me. Good luck Oldmech

Ford850 · Apr 22, 2011

Bacfin said:
Hi Ford850,

How can I tell if my Honda is China made unit? I think it is a 160CGV, not a CX.

Thanks,

I only know what I saw when I was shopping. I noticed a small Made in China tag on one and that's when I started looking closer. When I bought a mower last year, the shop suggested I stay clear of any Honda engine models, even though they sold some. They said they had many in for repairs and that they carry some only because some people insist on a Honda engine. I know Honda makes some great engines, but I am not blided by their name. I know they are producing a lot of lower quality engines now too.
I think all brands sell better and lower quality engines. IMO Briggs gets a bad rap because their low cost engines have been used on entry level equipment for years, and it gets abused more than a middle or upper end piece of equipment. They also make some pretty darn good stuff. Like I said earlier, I have a Briggs engine on my splitter and as long as I follow the operators manual it performs flawlessly.

bobholland · Apr 22, 2011

FWIW: I have a Brave 22 ton that is now the "house brand" for Bailey's. Great machine and i upgraded to the GX Honda on the recommendation of the engineer at Brave. I am splitting dry madrone oak that would be impossible to do by hand, if I was so inclined. The Honda is quiet compared to some that I used to rent. When you are splitting for hours on end, even with ear plugs, noise is a factor!

Brave Products, Inc.

Ford850 · Apr 22, 2011

bobholland said:
FWIW: I have a Brave 22 ton that is now the "house brand" for Bailey's. Great machine and i upgraded to the GX Honda on the recommendation of the engineer at Brave. I am splitting dry madrone oak that would be impossible to do by hand, if I was so inclined. The Honda is quiet compared to some that I used to rent. When you are splitting for hours on end, even with ear plugs, noise is a factor!

Brave Products, Inc.

I'll agree with your comment about the quiet Honda engines. At least some of them are very quiet. And you are right, when I run my Briggs I wear ear plugs.

dex3361 · Apr 22, 2011

I bought a 26 ton Yard Machine/ MTD log splitter about 10 years ago and it has been flawless with the exception of the 6.5HP Tecumseh engine. If you leave it setting level the oil will migrate past the valve and wet the plug with oil. I vertical aspect of the splitter because I usually split mostly large 24" or even bigger section of log. I usually sit on a section and fill the bucket full.

MiserableOldFart · Apr 29, 2011

Lots of interesting posts in this thread. I wonder if anyone has considered an electric model. Probably you need one of the 230 volt jobs to really match what the gas ones do, but you would get the advantage of being able to work in a barn or garage in the fall/winter, if you have the juice.

Do most of you move your splitters to the wood, or work mostly in a particular place? I find I move around some, but would really rather establish a permanent fixed place for my splitting work. Most of my wood, though, isn't collected in a place where I could move the splitter very close due to the terrain. In more gentle places, it might make sense to take the splitter to the wood?