Yard machine log splitter engine replacement.

cholland · Feb 26, 2022

Oaktree said:
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 · Feb 26, 2022

Oaktree said:
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 · Feb 26, 2022

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 · Feb 27, 2022

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 · Feb 27, 2022

DL Meisen said:
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 · Feb 27, 2022

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 · Feb 28, 2022

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.