Yard machine log splitter engine replacement.

[jkk04]

I purchased this splitter for $100 from the local Craigslist for the fun project.....
Actually, I was looking for a splitter that can split the logs vertically or horizontally.
I was hard to lift heavy logs on the horizontal splitter that I used to have it because of age...
Total cost was less than $300 for all and works like a champion. 
I split the firewood more than 6 cords this year alone.
Jkk

 

[jkk04]

Just finished splitting the firewood yesterday.

It has more than 6 cords of live oak trees which is very hard and good for firewood.

Jkk

 

[kenmbz]

Nice job, looks great.
Thanks for the video on how you did the engine mount conversion and replacement.

Don't know if I would sit so close to the splitter though, have had some wood pop pretty hard/far.

 

[jkk04]

Nice job, looks great.
Thanks for the video on how you did the engine mount conversion and replacement.

Don't know if I would sit so close to the splitter though, have had some wood pop pretty hard/far.

Yes, that's a little dangerous when splitting the dried logs popping the piece of wood.

In my case, the trees were cut along the property fence a couple months ago by PG&E electric company.

They are still wet so not much popping when split.

Thanks for your comment.
Jkk.

 

[cholland]

Nice. That looks a lot like the live oak I split here. I usually end up with about half live oak, half black oak. I prefer the black oak. It splits better and burns a little cleaner in my opinion.

 

[WranglerX]

Did same thing on 30 year old DURR splitter.... Repairs on 5 hp Briggs were more than cost of 6.5 HP Predator from HF.... Everything bolted up just fine....

And some of the explosive "pops" are surprising specially when it spits the log out... Leaned to stand sideways to the splitter, got to protect the "boys" you know.....

 

[sandman2234]

Mom has a Poulan wood splitter, with a 5 hp Briggs and Stratton engine (if I remember correctly). I went over and got the splitter last week and it had a new engine on it. Harbor Freight model, which I know my late step father would have NEVER purchased, so that means my late brother probably burnt the motor up and got a HF motor to replace it. Probably never mentioned it to Mom, would be my guess. A 3.0 hp to replace a 5 hp is going to be interesting when I start splitting some hard oak and put the engine under max stress.
Since I will probably end up with the splitter at some point, when the HF goes, or if it doesn't perform well, I can see a Honda or other 5 hp in its future!
David from jax

 

[jkk04]

Mom has a Poulan wood splitter, with a 5 hp Briggs and Stratton engine (if I remember correctly). I went over and got the splitter last week and it had a new engine on it. Harbor Freight model, which I know my late step father would have NEVER purchased, so that means my late brother probably burnt the motor up and got a HF motor to replace it. Probably never mentioned it to Mom, would be my guess. A 3.0 hp to replace a 5 hp is going to be interesting when I start splitting some hard oak and put the engine under max stress.
Since I will probably end up with the splitter at some point, when the HF goes, or if it doesn't perform well, I can see a Honda or other 5 hp in its future!
David from jax

Actually, I was skeptical after installing the HF engine because it was sooo cheap.($99)

Now, I am so surprised by its performance that the engine has splitted more than 12 cords of very hard live oak firewood since installed.

The engine still runs like new and will last long in my judgment.

Jkk

 

[Oaktree]

Actually, I was skeptical after installing the HF engine because it was sooo cheap.($99)

Now, I am so surprised by its performance that the engine has splitted more than 12 cords of very hard live oak firewood since installed.

The engine still runs like new and will last long in my judgment.

I had to replace the ailing B&S in my 80s vintage splitter 6-7 years ago. Local small engine guy recommended the Predator. At the time was only vaguely aware of HF's existence...they hadn't expanded into this area yet, think I paid $120 for mine online. Shipping was cheap but very slow (almost 2 weeks), but not a big deal. Fit well, though I did have to put spacers between it and the pump since the shaft was about 3/4" longer on the HF.
Did have to rotate the pull-start assembly, otherwise I'd be pulling into the beam.
It's served me well, and like you expect it to last a long time.

Never heard of live oak (as opposed to dead oak?), we have mostly red here with white a bit further south. For the most part splits reasonably well.

 

[WranglerX]

Mom has a Poulan wood splitter, with a 5 hp Briggs and Stratton engine (if I remember correctly). I went over and got the splitter last week and it had a new engine on it. Harbor Freight model, which I know my late step father would have NEVER purchased, so that means my late brother probably burnt the motor up and got a HF motor to replace it. Probably never mentioned it to Mom, would be my guess. A 3.0 hp to replace a 5 hp is going to be interesting when I start splitting some hard oak and put the engine under max stress.
Since I will probably end up with the splitter at some point, when the HF goes, or if it doesn't perform well, I can see a Honda or other 5 hp in its future!
David from jax

I was thinking Honda or B&S to replace blown engine on my acquisition, but the cost were in range of $350 and UP.... Can buy 2-3, 6.5 HP Predator motors for that amount of one Honda or B&S if HF I have now does not survive well...

 

[cholland]

Never heard of live oak (as opposed to dead oak?), we have mostly red here with white a bit further south. For the most part splits reasonably well.

Couple of species of live oak on the west coast - CA. Live oaks are evergreen, don't loose their leaves in fall/winter.
Also burns reasonably well when still green. Not the best for your flue, but if you happen to get caught without enough firewood, it can get you through.

 

[jkk04]

I had to replace the ailing B&S in my 80s vintage splitter 6-7 years ago. Local small engine guy recommended the Predator. At the time was only vaguely aware of HF's existence...they hadn't expanded into this area yet, think I paid $120 for mine online. Shipping was cheap but very slow (almost 2 weeks), but not a big deal. Fit well, though I did have to put spacers between it and the pump since the shaft was about 3/4" longer on the HF.
Did have to rotate the pull-start assembly, otherwise I'd be pulling into the beam.
It's served me well, and like you expect it to last a long time.

Never heard of live oak (as opposed to dead oak?), we have mostly red here with white a bit further south. For the most part splits reasonably well.

Yes, I rotated the pull-start assembly like this.


Here is a live oak tree picture that I just took.

Another member already explained about the live oak tree above.
Jkk

 

[Buggs67]

Predator engines are commonly refered to as Chondas as they are reverse- engineered Hondas. The design is good, it's the quality control that sucks. I out one on my snowblower. Got the extended warranty.

Following advice from TBN friends I ran it for about a half hour and changed the oil. It was like metal-flake. Put in a good full synthetic and it ran until I sold it, 2-3 years. Was nice and easy to start, unlike my older B&S. The Honda GX160 on my log splitter is 26 years old and runs great.

 

[sandman2234]

The 79cc Predator engine starts up and runs fine once we ordered a $20 carb for it. If I were splitting 10" or less rounds, this would work out fine. However, the first few splits into a 24" diameter log are too much for the 3hp and it just bogs down and stalls. I have to take smaller bites in order for it to handle it. I told Mom about it and she has agreed to go ahead and buy a 5hp motor, but I am working on converting an old, heavily worn, heavily used wood splitter to operate off the John Deere. I had it working, but allowed the cylinder to retract all the way and it blew the return hose off of where I had it hose clamped to the return side of the valve. The original was a barbed type of slip-on with a clamp, returning to a tank. I used a threaded hydraulic hose slipped into another hose which was clamped on the barbed fitting. I either need a bushing to go from the larger size thread down to the hose I have, or I need a different way of returning the fluid. The valve appears to have a pressure relief in it, but knowing my brother who had it, it may have been messed with to attain higher outputs of pressure in the cylinder. Hydraulics aren't my strong point, but I am learning!
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

I was thinking Honda or B&S to replace blown engine on my acquisition, but the cost were in range of $350 and UP.... Can buy 2-3, 6.5 HP Predator motors for that amount of one Honda or B&S if HF I have now does not survive well...

Wish this was a 6.5 hp, as it is a 79cc, which appears to be a 3.0 hp engine, which isn't enough!!
David from jax

 

[WranglerX]

6.5 HP Predator is 212cc....

And outlet from control valve to tank should be low pressure side... The pressure relief setting controls max pressure from pump to control valve...

 

[crazyal]

Check how the muffler vents. I have a tow behind leaf sucker with a 5hp B&S (Honda clone) that the exhaust acts like a funnel for water. It gets in through bolts on the top of the muffler and if the exhaust valve is open it'll fill up the cylinder. If the valve is closed it'll still rust the valve pretty badly. After pulling the head and finding black sludge I almost just bought a HF Chonda 6.5hp to replace it. Instead I cleaned it up, hand sanded the cylinder, found out that B&S doesn't even sell the head gasket so I reused it, and have used it for the last two falls without issue. I'm sure it came out of the same factory as the HF engines. Amazing that it still runs, not smoke or noise. I wouldn't have a problem buying a HF engine to replace a bad one.

 

[jkk04]

Wish this was a 6.5 hp, as it is a 79cc, which appears to be a 3.0 hp engine, which isn't enough!!
David from jax

It is 212CC = 6.5HpStrong and well-made engine.
Unfortunately, the price is going up continuously..
And no more 20% coupon offered by HF
Shame...
Jkk

 

[Buggs67]

Sometime they do have coupons on the website. I saw a 10% off one item coupon not long ago.