New log splitter pics

[Dougw133]

Have lurked and posted but felt compelled to share some quick thoughts on my recent purchase of the tractor supply Huskee(Speeco) 22 Ton Log Splitter. I have been in the market for over a year, pretty much having my heart set on the 35 ton model. I like being more capable than what I need, just do. Budget became an issue as always and after doing a lot of research and reading on here I decided that for my NEEDS the 22 ton should suit just fine. I split just for myself and to hat my home. I don't sell cords or anything like that. I grabbed the toy at 1000 with the 100 dollar off sale. I towed it home very impressed that at 50mph it didn't jump or shimmy at all. I was nervous because the profile of my vehicle doesn't allow me to see it at all.

This model has the briggs 675 190cc. Sure, I'd like a honda but the price is right. I believe the actual speeco branded splitters come in both. My initial impression was very good. Nice welds, quality milling and drilled holes, solid paint/coating. I particularly like the top of the beam with it's "built in rail/cradle". There are small details in this machine that go along way for me. The first I noticed was the safety chains for towing had clips to lock them on as opposed to the typical free hooks that you would loop through the hitch and double back through a link. Another was the "cleanout" holes at the end of the beam where a lot of wood chips collect. The holes allow you to just sweep the debris right through the beam with ease. The little things... I primed, pulled, and it fired first pull. I Cycled the ram and everything looked good. I tightened the hose clamps and checked the hydraulic filter just to be safe. Today I splid some mixed hard woods and it powered through it all with ease. That is all I could ask for especially at the price I paid. That's enough of the boring, onto the pics.

 

[Gordon Gould]

You should be happy with that deal :thumbsup:
Good photos

 

[brewdog]

That's a nice machine! Good luck and have some fun !

 

[KennyG]

Looks good except for that last photo when it's vertical. Is that hose a couple of inches short?

 

[Dano5509]

Thanks for the review and photos... I lurk over on Hearth.com and they have lots of discussions on splitters and everyone really likes the Speeco/Husky 22 ton with the Briggs.

I like to look at the bigger units too but it looks like that 22 will blast through anything!

 

[Army grunt]

Great Log splitter, I helped my son split some wood in ct. a few years ago with one just like that. It was unstoppable.
I agree with the above. your going to need to add a piece of hose. its most certainly going to fail on you an trust me it will happen on the day you have a big stack of wood to split with alot of extra help.
Army Grunt

 

[LD1]

Very nice indeed.

This is the splitter I always reccomend. Especially when people are looking at 3PH splitters that are $700. You cannot even buy the stuff and build a splitter cheaper than that. And it is a good splitter, not a homemade POS.

 

[woodchuckc]

I bought that same splitter last year from TSC. I have only split about 20 ranks with it so far, but it has been great so far. Of course, straight grained wood (oak, hickory) is like going through butter but I also split some really gnarly twisted grain elm and sycamore also and while it had to work a little bit harder, I have not found anything it will not split. It actually has enough power to cut through the twisted grain and knots. I would have preferred a Honda engine, but I really can't complain about the Briggs - it burned quite a bit of gas the first few tankfuls, but as the engine has broken in it seems like gas consumption has gotten much better. All in all, I can't imagine why you would need any more that the 22 ton, as all you would do is burn more gas due to the bigger engine.

I wish I knew what kind of paint they used on it - it is some tough stuff! I split a good 8-9 ranks before it wore off of the point of the splitting wedge, and the paint on the rest of the wedge still looks like new.

They must have shortened the hose to the valve on this year's model - mine is longer that that and isn't that tight when the splitting ram is vertical.

 

[Western]

I keep telling myself I need to get one, as I get older, I think about it more every Fall:laughing: That splitter would probably be all I need too. Thanks for posting your experience with it so far. Sometimes I get some good offers from TSC, I like the 15% off coupons, that is how I bought my Ingersol-Rand compressor, great savings.

 

[Dougw133]

Thanks for brining that to my attention
That was on the driveway with s downward pitch. It looks worse in the picture than it actually is. I set it up level today and it was fine...still. an extra 3-6 inches wouldn't have hurt.

 

[Pilot]

I've been watching for a splitter for several months. Since I have an old one I could take my time and compare.

You done good.

The best ones I've seen are the Speecos and the Ariens. Almost everything else I saw I thought were designed by someone who never split wood.

My biggest criticism was the layout, not giving enough space in the work area. On yours and the Ariens you can stand square in front of the log cradle with nothing in your way front or behind to trip over if you step backwards. Most of them have the engine or something else taking up half the space in front of the cradle. Another complaint I have on many of them is the location of the valve lever. Several brands put it toward one side or the other so you either stand on the side they want you to or you reach across the machine to work the valve. You don't want to be reaching across the log when it suddenly pops loose, you'll get smacked.

 

[dieselbeef]

i scored the 33 ton version of that for 500 bucks offa craigslist a cpl mons ago. didnt run but looked like new. seriously the decals are still unscratched. had it running in an hr after i cleaned the carb...

i was gonna buy the one you got but this one came along..mines a commercial one and its kinda old but they guy paid..2900 for it in 99 i think...even had the manual for it

 

[LD1]

i was gonna buy the one you got but this one came along..mines a commercial one and its kinda old but they guy paid..2900 for it in 99 i think...even had the manual for it

That is kinda odd, because I dont ever remember that splitter being more than $2000:confused2:

Unless prices are astronomically higher where you live

 

[dieselbeef]

oh i know he got boned..he bought it at a ford tractor dlr. but i got a good deal:thumbsup: