New Member - Longtime Reader from Michigan needs Log Splitter Advice

[lcrum]

Hi everyone, this is my first post but I've spent many hours on this site reading and have to say I'm really impressed with the amount of knowledge and good advice out here! Quick background on me - moved out to some acreage in the Linden/Fenton, MI area about 3 years back. First house with propane and after one winter - knew I had to find a cheaper way to heat the house. So... I made a few purchases - Central Boiler 6048 OWB, Husqvarna 455 Rancher, an old 1984 Honda 200 Big Red 3-wheeler and a couple trailers for hauling wood. First year after getting the OWB installed, I got a double semi-load of oak from Chris Muma Forest products up in Gladwin. Well it was a really cold winter and I burnt over half that load. And that load was 20 full cords or around 60 face cords I guess. The size of those logs were about right and I didn't have to do any splitting - just loaded the rounds in the stove. Since then, I've been trying to use the wood on my property and also looking for any free or cheap wood wherever I can find it. Often what I find is some pretty big stuff so I've been splitting by hand. Not sure how much more of that I can take so I've made the decision to get a splitter. I've read lots of advice on here such as kinetic vs hydraulic, pros and cons for a lot of different models, and different ton units.

Here's where I'm at:
1. Think I'm going with Hydraulic: I'm not cutting commercially or for profit so speed isn't a HUGE concern but I would like a pretty decent cycle time and since some of the stuff I'm splitting is to large for me to pick up, I would like a horizontal / vertical option and from what I've read, that's not an option on kinetic (without a log lift)

2. I figure I will be splitting an average of 20 face cords a year so I want something that can handle that each year and last a long time. Not exactly sure what tonnage I need.

3. I would like something that's towable in case I have to drive to get the wood.

4. My max budget is about $2000.00

I like the Ariens 27 ton so far - haven't read any bad reviews and it seems well designed. Also got a Northern Tool catalog that had some decent prices on their splitters which used the Honda engines.Any advice on specific splitter models that you think would fit the bill for what I'm using it for would really be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ted

 

[Hedgerow]

Hi everyone, this is my first post but I've spent many hours on this site reading and have to say I'm really impressed with the amount of knowledge and good advice out here! Quick background on me - moved out to some acreage in the Linden/Fenton, MI area about 3 years back. First house with propane and after one winter - knew I had to find a cheaper way to heat the house. So... I made a few purchases - Central Boiler 6048 OWB, Husqvarna 455 Rancher, an old 1984 Honda 200 Big Red 3-wheeler and a couple trailers for hauling wood. First year after getting the OWB installed, I got a double semi-load of oak from Chris Muma Forest products up in Gladwin. Well it was a really cold winter and I burnt over half that load. And that load was 20 full cords or around 60 face cords I guess. The size of those logs were about right and I didn't have to do any splitting - just loaded the rounds in the stove. Since then, I've been trying to use the wood on my property and also looking for any free or cheap wood wherever I can find it. Often what I find is some pretty big stuff so I've been splitting by hand. Not sure how much more of that I can take so I've made the decision to get a splitter. I've read lots of advice on here such as kinetic vs hydraulic, pros and cons for a lot of different models, and different ton units.

Here's where I'm at:
1. Think I'm going with Hydraulic: I'm not cutting commercially or for profit so speed isn't a HUGE concern but I would like a pretty decent cycle time and since some of the stuff I'm splitting is to large for me to pick up, I would like a horizontal / vertical option and from what I've read, that's not an option on kinetic (without a log lift)

2. I figure I will be splitting an average of 20 face cords a year so I want something that can handle that each year and last a long time. Not exactly sure what tonnage I need.

3. I would like something that's towable in case I have to drive to get the wood.

4. My max budget is about $2000.00

I like the Ariens 27 ton so far - haven't read any bad reviews and it seems well designed. Also got a Northern Tool catalog that had some decent prices on their splitters which used the Honda engines.Any advice on specific splitter models that you think would fit the bill for what I'm using it for would really be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ted

TSC sells Husky/Speeco...
Those are reliable and in your price range. Anything 22 ton and over will work for what you need.
Get the largest unit you can afford within your budget.

 

[blades]

You are looking for vert/horz unit so no sense going overboard on tonnage 15 or so is plenty. On any of these trying to split through twisted notty stuff is going to cause breakage or bent components. They just are not built to take that kind of abuse. Try to stay with the honda eng. Whatever is coming out of Briggs lately has been nothing but trouble in cold weather ( cheap plastic no choke carbs) In other words if the eng does not have a manual choke go with something else that does. ( don't work real well if ya can't get it started or spend 1/2 your time trying). As far as the brand names are concerned, best choice is whatever is handled by a firm that actually can service it on site. Not something that has to be shipped 1/2 way across the country for repair ( even if ya are handy). In other words What does your local equipment dealer handel? Do they stock parts? Or can they get them in a couple days ( not weeks mind you) Course a lot of this depends on your level of self help. A lot of the guy/gals have the box store units, treat them right and they last a long time for the most part.

 

[stihl sawing]

I have the speeco 35 ton, awesome splitter for the price.

 

[old_soul]

TSC sells Husky/Speeco...
Those are reliable and in your price range. Anything 22 ton and over will work for what you need.
Get the largest unit you can afford within your budget.

x2 on that. Check out that Speeco 35 ton, will be about the best you can get under 2 grand

Certainly not the fastest splitter but it will slice through whatever you put on it.

We have 2, an old one and a new one. the old one is at least 10 years old and did 20 to 40 cords per year for all those years:msp_mellow:

last winter we thought it was worn out so we bought a new one, same model. You can tell it is not built as heavy as the old one but still splits good. i think it was around 17-1800 $

Back then we were also looking at the iron/oak splitters at the time. similar model was 1000$ more than the tsc so we rented one for a day to test it out. We were disappointed, it was not any faster at all!!!!! So we went with the Speeco again.............

And i cant beleive it myself, but the old splitter still runs and splits, although the motor is starting to vibrate itself apart

Good luck, whatever you decide

 

[KenJax Tree]

Check out Family Farm&Home on Miller Rd. and Elms Rd. in Swartz Creek

 

[oppermancjo]

This is out of your desired price range but thought I would throw it out there. There are made here in MI. Milan to be exact. I've never run one but the look pretty serious if you ask me.

All Wood Log Splitters - Commercial Log Splitters - Milan, MI

 

[beerman6]

Check out Family Farm&Home on Miller Rd. and Elms Rd. in Swartz Creek

Only been in there once,looked to be about the same as TSC but with better prices.

My Huskee 35ton as been problem free(once I learned how to start it in cold weather) for 6 years now.

 

[Como]

Are you happy with 24" lengths.

 

[Evanrude]

Hello neighbor! I just picked up a Huskee 28 ton from TSC this past Sunday. I've ran all the Huskee splitters, I prefer the 28 over the 22 because it has a Honda engine and is built heavier. The 35 ton is overkill in my opinion. I've split so gnarly stuff so far with mine, but if need be I can always use a saw to cut a chunk up.

Check out my thread here: http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/221672.htm

 

[Evanrude]

This is out of your desired price range but thought I would throw it out there. There are made here in MI. Milan to be exact. I've never run one but the look pretty serious if you ask me.

All Wood Log Splitters - Commercial Log Splitters - Milan, MI

Yes, pretty serious price too!

 

[old_soul]

Hello neighbor! I just picked up a Huskee 28 ton from TSC this past Sunday. I've ran all the Huskee splitters, I prefer the 28 over the 22 because it has a Honda engine and is built heavier. The 35 ton is overkill in my opinion. I've split so gnarly stuff so far with mine, but if need be I can always use a saw to cut a chunk up.

Check out my thread here: http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/221672.htm

Nonsense there is no such thing as overkill with tools and equipment. Buy the best built, heaviest splitter that you can afford. You will not regret it down the road.

 

[beerman6]

Hello neighbor! I just picked up a Huskee 28 ton from TSC this past Sunday. I've ran all the Huskee splitters, I prefer the 28 over the 22 because it has a Honda engine and is built heavier. The 35 ton is overkill in my opinion. I've split so gnarly stuff so far with mine, but if need be I can always use a saw to cut a chunk up.

Check out my thread here: http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/221672.htm

:msp_sneaky: "overkill" No such thing!

 

[jh35]

Check out Family Farm&Home on Miller Rd. and Elms Rd. in Swartz Creek

I have been to that one. It reminds me of the old Quality Farm and Fleet which I liked waaayyyy better than TSC. There is a Family Farm and Home going in the old Corunna KMart building. The signs are up but I do not know when the opening is going to happen.

 

[Evanrude]

Nonsense there is no such thing as overkill with tools and equipment. Buy the best built, heaviest splitter that you can afford. You will not regret it down the road.

:msp_sneaky: "overkill" No such thing!

I know this and have my fair share of overkill equipment. But for the 33% increase in price, I don't see it being worth it. I've ran the 35 ton more than any other Huskee to date, I'm completely happy with my 28 ton.

 

[Evanrude]

I have been to that one. It reminds me of the old Quality Farm and Fleet which I liked waaayyyy better than TSC. There is a Family Farm and Home going in the old Corunna KMart building. The signs are up but I do not know when the opening is going to happen.

I heard it's supposed to open in March.

 

[Hedgerow]

I have been to that one. It reminds me of the old Quality Farm and Fleet which I liked waaayyyy better than TSC. There is a Family Farm and Home going in the old Corunna KMart building. The signs are up but I do not know when the opening is going to happen.

Corunna???
Go Cavs!!!!!

 

[D&B Mack]

Huskee 22 to 28 ton. Will suit your needs fine.

 

[Fifelaker]

I have the 22 ton. I have yet to have it not either split or shear a round yet. Elm will make it earn its keep as did some ot the oak crotches it split last fall. I split some oak that was +- 40" and 20-24" long and it split them. Mine was $899 on sale from TSC.

 

[jh35]

Corunna???
Go Cavs!!!!!

I took swimming lessons at Corunna when I was little and played against them at their place in BBall. 1980's that is.

Dad graduated from there in the 60's.

Edit: sorry for the drift