I'll try to keep this short. Just my 2, stay away from Cubcadet, Northern. and anything MTD, THEIR JUNK!! I know from expierence I've owned both. No doubt American, Timberwolf and Iron Oak are the topend and are great splitters but, you'll spend $2000.00 and up for them. I ( in my opinion) Wanted the best of both worlds I went with a 28 ton SPEECO ($1500.00 incl tax) Commercially built but without the high price. Don't take my word for it go compare one and the others and then makeup your mind. They can also come in different variations 28 t/w Honda engine or B/S engine, same thing with 22 Ton , 35 ton. Hope this helps
My Step-Sons and I went together and bought the 37 ton Northern this spring. I have nothing really bad to say about it. I split about 20 cord with it this year so far. I sure like that easy starting, fuel efficient, Honda motor. And it will split everything I put in it. If the wood doesn't spit, it just shears it off. The cycle time is fast. There is nothing worse than a slow splitter in my book except one that just won't do the job on tough oak wood.
After using it all summer here are the glitches. The rear foot or stabilizer is to far forward for really large blocks. This is due to the vertical splitting feature. I will fabricate another adjustable and removable stabilizer at the very rear. This is only a problem with very large blocks which should be done vertical anyway. But I hate working on my knees. And there is no hydraulic oil filter. Beats me why not. There should be I think.
I owned one splitter with a fixed wedge. Never again. With tough or frozen blocks, the wood tends to shoot out at 200 miles per hour when it finally splits. This is dangerous and a pain in the you know what. A fixed plate and traveling wedge is much better and much safer in my opinion.
Another thing I really like about the Northern is the height. At my age, bending over to run a splitter is not good. The Northern sits at a comfortable height for me to work. I do most of my splitting alone. The Northern seems to make that easier than other splitters I have used.
Disclaimer: I have not used all the splitters made in the world, so there may be one even better than the Northern. opcorn:
And for big rounds, I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me how it's less work to get the round on the log lift, as opposed to getting it on the toe plate for vertical splitting. Either way, you have to muscle it onto something at ground level. I've asked that as an honest question, and all I got was answers that make no sense to me, and a lot of anger that I would dare ask the question. Again, oh well.
I'd hate to get up every time i need a new log. I would be wore out in no time!One thing I like about my low profile 'American' splitter is that the bar is only a foot of the ground so we could easily roll up the huge boundary tree rounds over a ramp of splitter trash and splits.
I don't think I could be happy with those newer and higher splitters cause 80% of the time I'm splitting sitting down...its so easy it's almost like I'm taking a break.
Once again. Cub Cadet, MTD, Lawnboy, Troybuilt, Yardman ,Yardmachines, Bolens ALL JUNK
The simplest answer I can give is that many years ago when the wheel was discovered they found that a round object moves easier than a flat object.
With the log lift the wood is rolled on. With a vertical splitter the wood has to be slide onto the plate.
My splitter is a vertical with ram mounted wedge but it is at comfortable work height with a log lift. I find it much easier to load the log lift than to slide the big rounds into position under the wedge.
how does the Troy Built 27 ton compare to some of the higher end ones , looks nicely put together , has a solid foot plate and is less than $1500.00
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=116418-270-24BF572B711&lpage=none
160 cc Honda OHV engine
27 Ton Ram Force
Hydraulic Fluid Included
Coil wrapped hoses for added protection
Splitting Tonnage (Tons): 27.0
Engine Torque (Feet/lbs.): 0.0
Engine Displacement (Cu. Centimeters): 160
Engine Brand: Honda
Cycle Time (Seconds): 15
Capacity (Length of Log) (Inches): 25
Starter Type: Manual
Warranty: 2 year limited
Cutting Wedge (Inches): 4.0
Light Kit: No
Hydraulic Fluid Included: Yes
UL Safety Listing: No
CSA Safety Listing: No
ETL Safety Listing: No
Color / Finish: red/black
Package Contents: gas log splitter
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Fenders: Yes
how does the Troy Built 27 ton compare to some of the higher end ones , looks nicely put together , has a solid foot plate and is less than $1500.00
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=116418-270-24BF572B711&lpage=none
160 cc Honda OHV engine
27 Ton Ram Force
Hydraulic Fluid Included
Coil wrapped hoses for added protection
Splitting Tonnage (Tons): 27.0
Engine Torque (Feet/lbs.): 0.0
Engine Displacement (Cu. Centimeters): 160
Engine Brand: Honda
Cycle Time (Seconds): 15
Capacity (Length of Log) (Inches): 25
Starter Type: Manual
Warranty: 2 year limited
Cutting Wedge (Inches): 4.0
Light Kit: No
Hydraulic Fluid Included: Yes
UL Safety Listing: No
CSA Safety Listing: No
ETL Safety Listing: No
Color / Finish: red/black
Package Contents: gas log splitter
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Fenders: Yes
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