Log splitters

[Adam_MA]

Just wondering what everyone's preference is with brands and such. I have been looking at the one from Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96907
It's a 9hp 30ton unit with a log lifter. I think I would prefer one like this rather than standing hunched over with a vertical model.

Any good deals out there?

[WH_Conley]

Got mine as a return at Tractor Supply, big discount,no log loader.

[Ironmower]

Looks alright, the only thing I wouldn't like is that you are pushin' the wood istead of the splitter head, not a big deal, unless you're splittin' "bigger" wood ;)

[cheyenne]

I would be very suspect of anything from Harbor Freight. It does not seem to be very well built. Make sure to get a two stage unit. By the time you pay freight charges you could get a Troy-Bilt or something equal.Buy American....Cheyenne

[Ironmower]

I believe the Huskee brand splitter from Tractor Supply is a well-built & affordable machine, I had a Yard machine (made by MTD) it was a fair machine also, but I didn't like the cast iron splitter head, and yes, I agree with cheyenne, buy American ;) ;D

[york]

"Are you tired of waiting for the boat to come in with your stuff"

Buy American.....

[RSteiner]

On things like that I like to touch it and see for myself what the quality of the welding is and the brand of the components are.

Cycle time might be the one thing I would be interested in, of course all the cycle times are figured when the pump is in the high volume first stage of operation.

I have a SuperSplit and really like it but it did cost twice the price of the one you are looking at.

Randy

[Adam_MA]

I guess I have some more thinking to do. I would of course rather buy American, and now that I do some checking you are right. With shipping and then the fluids I would have to buy I am pretty much over what it would cost to buy the TroyBilt one. I would be losing the lifter, but honestly I don't know how much I would even use that option. I have only used horizontal splitters before, but with the Troy I would have the option of horizontal or vertical if the pieces are more than I want to lift.

I would love to get one of the SuperSplit models, but for the 4-5 cord a year I can't justify the extra expense.

Now I am leaning heavily toward the TroyBilt model. Does anyone have feedback to offer about the LS27 the 27 ton model?

Thanks again
Adam

[Raider Bill]

Just my .02 but look hard at the super splitter. HAd one years ago, brother still uses it.

[wi woodcutter]

I have a speeco and I like it a lot.

I sell a lot of firewood in the winter, so it gets used a lot.

It is also made in the USA.

They are sold at Tractor Supply by their own name.

[rebocardo]

> but for the 4-5 cord a year

That is not much wood, I would look at an electric splitter. I split that much oak and pine in one week with my $300 electric (made in China and bought end of season $240 with two year warranty) log splitter bought at Lowes.

I can attest it hates green sweet gum though :-)

You can buy heavy duty electric ones for about $700 on E-Bay (I have not tested those).

The cheap gas splitters HF and others work fine for a few cords a year, I have customers that use them.

I guess the target wood and size pretty much dictates what type of splitter and how much $

[Victor]

Adam,

I have the Troybilt LS33 which I bought new 3 seasons ago. I like it very much. I split about 7 cords per year for home heating. I have split both oak and maple over 36" diameter with no trouble in vertical mode.

I am thinking about buying a Rayco log splitter ($6,700.00) as I have about 50 cord to split this year. I got a lot of wood from tree service people this year and need to get it split. I would be willing to sell the LS33 for a very fair price.

Victor

[Adam_MA]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I don't think I would be happy with one of the smaller electric splitters. I have seen them in action, and I am not very impressed. Also, if I am going to spend $700 for a splitter, I would rather add money to it for a decent gas powered one, so I'm not tied to an electrical outlet whenever I want to split.

Victor, I sent you a PM regarding the splitter you have for sale.

Thanks again
Adam

[RSteiner]

I guess I have some more thinking to do. I would of course rather buy American, and now that I do some checking you are right. With shipping and then the fluids I would have to buy I am pretty much over what it would cost to buy the TroyBilt one. I would be losing the lifter, but honestly I don't know how much I would even use that option. I have only used horizontal splitters before, but with the Troy I would have the option of horizontal or vertical if the pieces are more than I want to lift.

I would love to get one of the SuperSplit models, but for the 4-5 cord a year I can't justify the extra expense.

Now I am leaning heavily toward the TroyBilt model. Does anyone have feedback to offer about the LS27 the 27 ton model?

Thanks again
Adam

My neighbor and a friend of his picked up a used TroyBilt splitter which I thnik is in the 27 ton range.  It looks like a well put together unit and does a good job for their splitting needs.  Together they may split around 6 full cords of hardwood.  It does seem to have a good size gas engine powering it which I can hear from my place 1/8 of a mile away.

Randy

[Modat22]

I buy based on the engine powering it. Briggs, kohler. but prefer PTO driven  ;)

[cheyenne]

I have a troy-bilt 33 ton and split 100 cords a year. You pick...Longivity is happiness.....Cheyenne

[Adam_MA]

WOW! 100 cords a year sure speaks to the quality and durability of the machine!

Thanks for the reply

[Captain]

Adam we've got about a dozen Troy Bilt units out with customers and they absolutely adore them.  Good buy for the price range.  I have a difficult time beating the price on them at Lowe's we're within about $75 of them.

Captain

[Adam_MA]

Just a quick update.

I picked up my splitter on Saturday morning, and got to splitting wood when I got home. WOW! What an easy machine to use. That Honda engine is quiet, and doesn't even seem to be working hard at all. I only used it in the horizontal position, mostly because I've never used a vertical splitter, but I'm gonna try in in the vertical position on some larger stuff I have waiting to be split.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, I appreciate the help.

Adam