Log Splitter Opinions

[Greg mgm]

Saw these 2 splitters online-

Troy-Bilt at Lowe's: 27 Ton, 160cc Log Splitter

Cub Cadet Gas 160 CC, 27-Ton Towable Log Splitter - 24BF572B756 at The Home Depot

I'm leaning towards the Cub Cadet simply for the cycle time. Cost isn't really an issue. Anyone have experience with these 2 brands? I assume both are decent quality. Comments appreciated.

It's hard to compare build quality when nobody has them in stock locally.

BTW, I'm splitting wood for occasional home use.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Neither, find a Speeco same brand as the TSC Husky. Cub Cadet and Troy Bilt are both owned by MTD so there will not be alot of difference other than Cub Cadet is their Higher line of equipment and may have a full beam. Have a 7 year old Speeco 33 ton and it still runs strong and have split 44" plus rounds with it.

David Kb7uns

 

[Greg mgm]

The Husky splitter I saw on TSC does look well built. Their 35 ton unit looks the most heavy duty I've seen online (for homeowner use anyway) but Id be interested in their 28 ton splitter with the Honda engine. Too bad their closest store is so darn far from me.

Thanks for the reply. I'll be looking more into this.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Have an older one with the 8Hp Briggs, at the time it was the best because the other choice was a Tecumseh engine. Now they have the 10Hp Briggs that is fine unless you are doing commercial work. The base plates are real strong and the beam is good compared to the half beam MTD models and the wedge has a welded hardened part instead of being cast. They changed the tank a little and went to a tube instead of the offset hitch that dropped down lower making it great to tow behind the lawnmower. Just beware that none of the splitters are good for towing much over 45-50Mph because of small tires and no springs. I could not justify the added cost of the Honda engine with the lower power, I use my splitter less than 15 hours per year so it will take along time to wear the Briggs out. I also like the layout of the vertical shaft as the pump is more protected then on the horizontal as logs do fall off as they are split but you can now get log craddles to catch them. They are definatley worth looking at closer though.

David Kb7uns

 

[montanaman]

If cost isn't really an issue, get an Iron & Oak, or a Brave. No junk made in China cast scrap metal splitting wedge, larger hydraulic tank, much better grade of engine, much better grade hydraulic components, actually made in USA.

They just started making half beam designs so they could compete with all the box store junk out there.

YES, they cost more.

 

[waynokakid]

I'd have to agree with montanaman. I bought a used Brave, 20 ton, a couple of years ago. Have been well pleased with it! No China cast scrap metal on this one. I had to do some work on the 5hp briggs motor. But other than that it is one fine log splitter.

 

[paulyny]

I am a serious wood splitter. This is the 2nd year i am heating my house on wood without any other heating source. My current stockpile is partially pictured here 30 cords that i have split entirely with a swisher log splitter from Lowes for about $1200. Its only 22 ton and has split everything that has ever been throw into it. There are faster and beefier machines out there but i believe they are cost prohibitive unless your doing business with them ($3,500 and up,up,up) Iron and Oak, Timberwolf, American logsplitters are the Cadillacs of HYDRAULIC splitters but i personally recommend the Honda of splitters, mid priced box store ones work great. Theres other types that are much, much faster than hydraulic (super split is one) They all use 3 different brands of engines and all use haldex pumps in all fairness there are other factors, log lift etc.. I HIGHLY recommend you go to Arboristsite.com for advice. Look for the woodburning and equipment forum. Lots of useful info. Good luck and be careful with your splitter.

 

[jgrinn]

I bent the wedge (yes bent the wedge itself, not the weld, it cupped and bent to one side), on a speeco 22 ton. Yes I was splitting some knotty stuff, but it should have never bent like it did. The thing runs good and splits good, but don't get the 22 ton. The higher ton ones are built heavier!

 

[Gomez]

Since you say you are only talking about occasional use, either should be fine.

What kind of wood do you anticipate splitting?

I have a ~20 year old Duerr, 20 ton unit that has held up very well.
Only a real knotty piece of hickory would stop it. But that's more operator error
that anything.
It needed a new hydraulic hose last year.

It sounds like the wedge on the models you are interested in is cast, that
would concern me.

 

[Shmudda]

BTW, I'm splitting wood for occasional home use.

If this is the case save yourself a pile of $$$ and buy yourself a $25.00 splitting maul and do it by hand. If you are in half decent physical condition and you consume less then 6 cords/year a splitter doesn't really need to be part of the toy collection......of course this is my opinion.....

Honestly though, I was looking a Lowes and I see they had a 33 ton Troy Bilt unit for just over $1,900.00. If I was buying that would be the beast.

Craig

 

[Youare]

If cost is not a big issue and speed is a factor then I would suggest you look at the SuperSplit. They cost about the same as a mid-grade Timber Wolf.

I purchased a SuperSplit 3 years ago and like it very much. This fall I helped a friend split a pile of fire wood he had chunked in 18" lengths. We were able to process 4 full cords in 3 1/2 hours. The cycle time is around 4 seconds.

Before I purchased mine I talked to several people who have used a SuperSplit for an average of 10 years. Two of them sold between 75 and 100 full cords of fire wood per year.
They are a very reliable splitter.

Randy

 

[Greg mgm]

To be honest, I expected maybe a reply or 2....but that's a lot of great info.

My comment about cost wasn't clear, but I'd be willing to spend $2000 on a splitter, which should get us something very decent. The wood we're splitting is mostly cedar and pine, and we've built a big pile of logs to split ! So at first, it'll be a lot of work, then less often after that. I can also see possibly splitting some wood for our neighbor, so considering all this, the idea of using a $25 maul wouldn't work.

No hurry on this, but the $$ is sitting on my desk!! (a check)
I'll be looking more at the machines you all have mentioned, and I sure appreciate the replies!

 

[studor]

If you are splitting mainly cedar and pine you do not have to spend 2 grand for a log splitter unless you want a two way like a Split Fire for speed. A Harbour Freight 22 or 24 ton would work just fine at half the price. I split cedar kindling by hand just cause its faster.

 

[fish6942]

How many cords do you go through in a year? Could it all be split in one or two long days? If so, have you considered just renting one once or twice a year? Our local rental place charges $55 per day. At that rate for two days a year, it would take me at least 10 years to break even on a low cost $1,200 splitter.

 

[Mustangous]

How many cords do you go through in a year? Could it all be split in one or two long days? If so, have you considered just renting one once or twice a year? Our local rental place charges $55 per day. At that rate for two days a year, it would take me at least 10 years to break even on a low cost $1,200 splitter.

wow, not here, last checked was over $120 for a 24hr rental...

 

[Dill]

I use a 3pth splitter on the tractor. Its quite a bit cheaper than a standalone.
I have a Northern Tool horizontal model and my father has a American (something) vertical. Overall I perfer the horizontal I can drop it to the ground for big stuff and roll the rounds on or split at waist height for smaller stuff. The vertical is great for really big chunks since you can back the splitter into the piece of wood.

 

[Youare]

I have a SuperSplit wood splitter. I cut and split around 10 full cords of wood a year plus help a few others with thir splitting needs. The SuperSplit units are around $2,400 which makes them a little pricey. However considering the 4 second cycle time and the length of time you will not spend splitting on a 10 cord pile it makes a big difference.

When helping a friend of mine this fall split a full 4 cord pile of hardwood it took us 3 1/2 hours to split it all. In the past he would rent a hydraulic splitter that had a 12 second cycle time and it would take him over 10 hours to split the same volume of wood.

The other nice feature is I didn't even go through a full tank of fuel on the splitter's 6 hp engine. The SuperSplit is much quieter to operate than any hydraulic splitter I have heard.

Randy

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Northern is now selling some splitfire style machines at a good price. Says Made in USA.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Like to see you bring one of the SuperSplit machines to Oregon and split some of the stuff I have to split.

David Kb7uns