Another Ariens Log Splitter Writeup

[Pilot]

My splitter was about 30-40 years old, the valve was tired and the cylinder seemed to be leaking so I decided to treat myself to a new splitter.

After all the good comments from RedNeckGeek's writeups and seeing what was available in the local area, I decided on the Ariens 22 ton unit. My old unit didn't say how many tons it was rated for, but the cylinders were the same size, so I figured if the old one was big enough, the Ariens should be, too. But first, I sold the old splitter. Told prospective buyers about the valve and had 2 potential serious buyers in 3 days, plus an email low baller. First one to show up, I demonstrated the unit, put a chunk of Douglas-fir on it with a 3" knot and the old thing plowed right thru it. Hmmmm, it used to slow down for knots like that. Anyway, the guy took it and I got $50 more than I expected, $50 less than asking (I love Craigslist!).

Called 3 Home Depot stores within a reasonable distance to confirm they had splitters assembled, in stock & ready to go. Off I went, to find, yes, they had some in stock, but not assembled. It was a Saturday & their "builders" had the day off, but a couple guys assured me they could have it ready in about 15 minutes. Would have helped if they had known what they were doing. About 45 minutes later and it was on my trailer & off I went.

Checked the fluid levels, added gas & fired it up & cycled it as instructed to eliminate any air and found 2 hydraulic fittings were loose & leaking, lost maybe a quart of fluid. Air in the system plus the loss had the fluid in the tank down about a gallon. Local NAPA store had the recommended Dextron ATF, 4 quarts, $18, same price with or without a veteran's discount.

Fittings tight, fluid at the right level & fired it up. Put a DF log on it with about a 3" knot and to my dismay, when the wedge got to the knot it stopped. Backed it off, tried again & it split it reluctantly. Hmmm...did I blow it? Should I have just kept & fixed up the old splitter? Split more pieces, it seems to be OK, but haven't found any more large knots to test it on. I'm hoping that when it pooped out on that first knot it was just due to air I hadn't purged.

The Subaru engine fires up OK, but it seems to "hunt" now & then, slowing down for half a second or so, then running normally. Have others experienced this on their Subarus?

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Fittings tight, fluid at the right level & fired it up. Put a DF log on it with about a 3" knot and to my dismay, when the wedge got to the knot it stopped. Backed it off, tried again & it split it reluctantly. Hmmm...did I blow it? Should I have just kept & fixed up the old splitter? Split more pieces, it seems to be OK, but haven't found any more large knots to test it on. I'm hoping that when it pooped out on that first knot it was just due to air I hadn't purged.

The Subaru engine fires up OK, but it seems to "hunt" now & then, slowing down for half a second or so, then running normally. Have others experienced this on their Subarus?

What's the diameter of the log with the 3" knot? I've only split oak with my Ariens 22T, and find it does bog down in 12"+ wood crotches and knots. I get around it by offsetting the wedge so there's only 3"-4" of wood on one side of the wedge to take it off in slabs. But that's oak, not pine, and I wouldn't expect it to slow at all in the softer wood. The pump will "down shift" when it encounters resistance, causing the wedge to move slower and the motor RPMs to fluctuate. My guess is that there's still air in the system somewhere, and fully cycling the ram several times will purge it if that's the case. But if I'm wrong, you can always take it back to HD for a refund and try to find something larger. I just don't have any experience in anything but oak.

Are you sure about the fluid level? I use ISO32 hydraulic oil, and it's difficult to see the level on the dip stick, but that shouldn't be an issue with red ATF.

I don't notice any hunting with the Subaru engine, other than the down shift behavior described earlier, or when it's running out of fuel.

Hope that helps.

 

[joeyd]

I also have a 22 ton and I noticed the hunting you describe but it has never stalled out. I split mostly pine, some white some red and have not had it bog down, it splits everything I put on the table. I did compare HD and the local Arien dealer and bought it from the dealer even they were a little higher priced. When I checked HD said they take warranty issues to the dealer for repair, I just figured I would be ahead of the game by purchasing from the dealer. The also know how to assemble the splitter. It started on the first pull and was a splitting machine. (pun intended)