wood splitter DHT 22 vs Champion 27

[yomax4]

If you're getting old and your shoulders are giving you problems you might consider a splitter with a log lift. Or you can cut the rounds down with the saw to get them to a manageable size.

Splitter ton ratings are often inflated. Some of the high quality splitters don't inflate their ratings making them look weak if you don't know. If you assume they're all running about the same relief valve pressure you can compare by hydraulic piston size.

I built a log lift to help with my 10-12 cord per year project. Can't say enough good about it.

 

[shooterdon]

I built a log lift to help with my 10-12 cord per year project. Can't say enough good about it.

Therein lies the rub.

Doing 3 cords a year makes it more difficult to justify especially if someone does not have the skill to make one and needs to purchase a machine with one.

 

[dasranger]

You don’t need a log lift. All you need is a stool to sit on while you split vertically for the heavy ones.

 

[ericm979]

I find it difficult to split large rounds with the splitter vertical. The round doesn't slide well when it's on end and you have to get it up onto the splitter's "foot" (the end of the splitter that's on the ground when it's vertical) so the wedge can get a clean shot at it. Making a steel platform to go around the "foot" would help a lot. There's no way I could slide a 100+ lb round under there while seated on a stool. The leverage is all wrong.

I use the splitter in horizontal mode and cut up rounds that are too large for me to pick up. It wastes a bit of wood but I have so much of it.

 

[Persiman]

Well, I got the DHT 22. 90 minute drive on twisty roads in high winds and flurries, just to find that the "excellent, only used once for 10 cords" was weathered from setting outside and was certainly used more than that. Sticker has July 2014 punched out, which I interpret as the Lowes sale date. Owner had tried for 2 hrs to get it started. Blowing gas out the muffler. He kept going on about how all it needed was to have the needle freed up, and how it was in brand new condition. "never even ran it long enough to have to change the oil!" He is a person with a very positive attitude. He took the bowl off, gas all over his hands, incredibly windy and very cold, and he was just so sure it would start on the next pull. Eventually I got it for $600 and he helped me heave it on the trailer. I thought that was cheap enough I can replace the engine if needed.
I took off the carb and sprayed everywhere with carb cleaner. Put some new gas and B12 cleaner in the tank, cranked for an hour, and it started. First time ran for 10 seconds, then 50 more pulls and it ran for 30 seconds, then again for 90 seconds. Last time I tried it started on the first pull, and ran over 5 minutes. It runs okay at first, full throttle and no choke, then it gets rougher and rougher and finally quits. Trying the hydraulics kills it quickly. I made sure the ram wasn't frozen up. Dunno if there's a hyd issue or the engine just doesn't have power. I replaced the hyd filter real quick to make sure it wasn't blocked with ice or rust. Fluid was clear and looked perfect. Maybe it's still getting too much fuel. I think I'll clean out the gas tank and replace the gas line. Will an engine run on 50% B12 cleaner? I see replacement carbs aren't very costly. The spark plug is sooty black, but the gap was correct.
I did a little checking on replacement engines, and only see an identical replacement (SH265). Whenever I replaced engines on my mower and tiller I always moved up a notch or 2. If I end up needing to replace this engine, I would like to know how to get the next size bigger / better. Any suggestions?

 

[Persiman]

I bought a dht splitter refurbished off ebay. It was right from them and practically new not a scratch on it. Only $900 shipped to my door.

Thanks for the suggestion. I would have done that if they were still available. Currently they're only selling the bigger models. Pffft.

 

[shooterdon]

Buying anything that will not run is a crap shoot. Hope you make out ok with just a new carb. That should do it. Having to get a new engine would suck. I have an Amish place that is fair and would take it to them if a new carb did not cure it.

 

[ericm979]

It sounds like it is not getting enough fuel. Check the fuel filter or just replace it. Make sure the gas cap is venting properly. You can test the cap vent by running the engine and loosening the cap (carefully, we don't want to hear how you went up in a ball of flame). Running for a while and then running lean and dying is a classic symptom of a clogged gas tank vent.

 

[goeduck]

I find it difficult to split large rounds with the splitter vertical. The round doesn't slide well when it's on end and you have to get it up onto the splitter's "foot" (the end of the splitter that's on the ground when it's vertical) so the wedge can get a clean shot at it. Making a steel platform to go around the "foot" would help a lot. There's no way I could slide a 100+ lb round under there while seated on a stool. The leverage is all wrong.

I use the splitter in horizontal mode and cut up rounds that are too large for me to pick up. It wastes a bit of wood but I have so much of it.

You don’t need a log lift. All you need is a stool to sit on while you split vertically for the heavy ones.

Oh, poo. You mean this round of mine was hard to get into position?

 

[DarkBlack]

Oh, poo. You mean this round of mine was hard to get into position?
View attachment 641091

The older I get , I think I actually have an easier time getting pieces like this in place. It Is the old saying- work smarter, not harder. I used to struggle to muscle them into that position. Now after years of getting old, I know it is about running it on its balance edge until it is just the right distance from the splitter, and letting it fall forward just right.