The old log splitter thing again

[studor]

After looking at a number of splitters last year I settled on the the HF 24 ton with the Subaru engine. I read a number of stories on here about bad hydraulics but have had no problems and I am pretty confident that whatever breaks can be fixed. It has split everything I have thrown at it so far. Getting it here was a big problem (HF does not ship to Canada and the store won't order it without the money ) Assembly was a bit of a PITA (by myself with the aid of the fel on the tractor) and if you get one buy a 3/4" pipe elbow or flexible funnel to fill the hydraulic tank (which by the way does not hold 4.5 gallons). The engine has always started on the first pull and is relatively quiet for a 6.5 hp. I have used a couple of Troy built products (including the worlds most useless chipper/shredder ) and will say politely that they work but I have never in awe of either the quality or performance of their products -- JMHO -- good luck with your shopping
Steve

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

troy bilt of today is NOWHERE near what it was before MTD bought it.....

i used to work for a troy dealer and we were VERY proud of our products! when i seem the name "Troy Bilt" now at the big box stores, i feel shamed........

if you take an old GTX20 and set it next to a 20hp troy-mtd reject, it would blow most people's mind.......there was more metal in the gtx's hydro transmission than in the eintire riding mower of today....

rant done...

After looking at a number of splitters last year I settled on the the HF 24 ton with the Subaru engine. I read a number of stories on here about bad hydraulics but have had no problems and I am pretty confident that whatever breaks can be fixed. It has split everything I have thrown at it so far. Getting it here was a big problem (HF does not ship to Canada and the store won't order it without the money ) Assembly was a bit of a PITA (by myself with the aid of the fel on the tractor) and if you get one buy a 3/4" pipe elbow or flexible funnel to fill the hydraulic tank (which by the way does not hold 4.5 gallons). The engine has always started on the first pull and is relatively quiet for a 6.5 hp. I have used a couple of Troy built products (including the worlds most useless chipper/shredder ) and will say politely that they work but I have never in awe of either the quality or performance of their products -- JMHO -- good luck with your shopping
Steve

 

[Ford850]

Acohen100,
You are researching the same models I had originally researched, and then I looked into the TSC models made by Speeco. I would highly recommend you check out your local TSC if you have one. You will save much money and shipping costs and get similar or better products, IMO. I planned on buying a 30 ton model, then the 27 or 25, but ended up with a 22 ton model. It has a faster cycle time due to the smaller cylinder (great for the ram return stroke) and has never even bogged down on tough stuff. I would say the higher ton models might continue at a faster rate when the pump goes into the second stage while splitting, but I have had no problems at all.
The 22 ton model I have has the full length beam, unlike the half beams of the Troybilt and HF that I've seen.
Also the top of the beam/platform is 30 or 32" above ground, and I can split all day without getting a sore back. I like the built in rail to hold the logs in place too.
I think they are worth your consideration.

 

[studor]

Flathead
You are right -- I mispoke -- I should have properly said MTD, yardman etc -- their string trimmers, mowers etc now all seem to be "homeowner models" -- I think that means you buy the tool and then get someone else to do the work you should be able to do with it

 

[studor]

Ford850
The HF model has a full beam -- (and a mighty heavy beam it is when you try to lift it by yourself ) Ironically I tried to buy your model Speeco at our Canadian version of TSC when it was on sale -- out of stock and no rain checks -- and the floor model was assembled incorrectly and broken so they would not sell it!! -- and you still had to buy fluids. In comparison the customer service at HF was excellent -- they even loaded the crate on the pickup . The speeco here had a Briggs engine if I remember ( but I would have bought it anyway) After that experience however I have not been back (and probably never will be to that store which is about 40 minutes out of my way. )

 

[acohen100]

What do you guys think about the engine issue. For roughly the same price I can get a Honda GCV 160cc (4.4hp) which is rated "residential/light-duty" on the Cub Cadet/Huskee/Speeco/Troy or I can get the Honda GX 200cc (5.5hp) commercial model on the Northstar.

Just looking at their cost you can buy the GCV for $160 discounted and the GX goes about $400. Seems like a pretty big quality difference there.

Just based on that one spec alone I think that I have to get the Northstar. Or is this a non-issue?

 

[studor]

I would definitely go for the bigger commercial engine -- having said that , look up Subaru Robin for complete info on the engine on the HF stuff.
Steve

 

[Ford850]

As I said I started looking for the largest engine and cylinder, but ended up with a smaller Speeco model. An old farmer saw me looking at them at TSC and told me to save my money and buy the smallest one. He splits 10 cords per year or something along those lines, and has had one of the little speeco for many years. So I decided to try it and he was right. That little Briggs engine starts first pull every time and runs till it's out of gas without stuttering or bogging down. Due to the 2 speed pumps on these things, I really don't see the engines taking a load. They don't even slightly change their RPMs in the toughest of tough stuff.
If I had started with the bigger model, I would swear it was the best and I couldn't get by with a tiny 22 ton model. But since I got the little one I am pleasantly surprised. If you have extra money to spend, the commercial Honda will likely last longer. But I can afford to toss a replacement engine on mine a couple of times, if ever needed, and still be ahead. Keep in mind those high ton models have huge cyliders and need the bigger engines to run the bigger pumps. Look at the specs and you'll see they end up with slower cycle times than the smaller models. I've yet to have a log, crotch wood included, that I couldn't split.
I don't split that much wood though, probably 4 to 6 cords a year depending on my time. If you split a lot of wood, then bigger might be better.

 

[acohen100]

If you have extra money to spend, the commercial Honda will likely last longer. ... Look at the specs and you'll see they end up with slower cycle times than the smaller models.

Thing is that they come out to about the same price, so extra money is not the issue. Also, the cycle time on the smaller model (Choice #1 above) is 19s and is actually faster on the model with the bigger engine (Choice #2) - around 15s I think.

I guess that I am answering my own questions here... I agree with you that bigger may not always be better in this case. I am more itnerested in quality. I do have a pretty hefty older model with an 8hp Briggs that gets stuck on knots and I am currently using it to split rounds that are around 35+" diameter...it struggles. So I would prefer to have the extra power for the same price - even if I only rarely need it.

 

[CurtC]

I'm currently going through this same process.

I looked at the speeco units at tractor supply tonight. The new 2008 model of the "28 ton" (Was 27 ton last year) has a couple of significant improvements IMO.

1) horizontal honda engine, with auto-throttle.. my understanding is that they will throttle up/down as needed.

2) the fitting to the tank are mounted at the top of the tank.. and the filter hangs below, so you can change the filter without draining the entire tank.

That said, the pumps on the new ones are NOT, as far as I can tell, Haldex pumps.. where they were on the last years model.

The thing that really bugs me about the troy-bilt versions is that they are not a full beam design.