swisher log splitter, what do I do?

I have a 34 ton log splitter with a 10.5 hp briggs. I was never satisfied with the briggs and the belt drive. I was thinking about getting a 13 hp honda and going direct drive. since I owned it about 6 years I had to replace the belt about 6 times. any one have any opinions on wether I should do this or not. I really the fact that I can split wood in the horizontal pos lenght wise of the splitter, and have not seen another splitter that would do that. Makes it very easy to back up to log pile and not have to worry about stepping over the fenders.

I have a Swisher 22 ton. I had 2 belts go bad in the first year and found that the engagement lever was traveling too far. I got a shorter belt then drilled a hole in the lever and put a bolt in the hole so the lever can't travel too far.

What is it that you don't like about the Briggs? Mine always starts first pull and runs great. I do wish it had a bigger fuel tank.

I have the 28 ton 10.5 HP brings. Runs great. Granted I don't have more than 5 cord split with it though.

you could buy an awful lot of belts for the splitter u have now with the money it would cost to upgrade to a honda and direct drive. the honda runs about $625 and the pump roughly $100, sounds like an alignment issue with the engine and pump if ur goin through belts that quickly i would definitley look into that. and as far as the briggs if theres not anything wrong with it id keep it , money in the bank

jbighump said:

you could buy an awful lot of belts for the splitter u have now with the money it would cost to upgrade to a honda and direct drive. the honda runs about $625 and the pump roughly $100, sounds like an alignment issue with the engine and pump if ur goin through belts that quickly i would definitley look into that. and as far as the briggs if theres not anything wrong with it id keep it , money in the bank

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:agree2:



Unless you are wealthy, and just split for fun, I can't see this being a good idea.


Unless the aggravation of the belts is worth something like 800 bucks to you.

i was thinking of using the same pump. just a lovejoy coupler and I can find a used honda on ebay for less than $400.

Belt drive is ok...there will be some minor speed losses due to slippage, few %..

But pump shaft seals and bearings are usually not designed to support the radial forces from belt tension...

Best way to design belt drive, is to install a separate pulley shaft, supported by bearings on both sides of pulley....then connect pump shaft with a Lovenoy coupling...This way you do not need to rebuild/replace pump when bearings are out...