Jutt
ArboristSite Operative
I picked up a 22-ton DHT splitter direct from DHT in Louisville Colorado around a month ago. The machine had leaked some hydraulic fluid in the crate and was sold at a discount. I was told the leak was resolved.
I've since split around 4 cords of wood including some really tough Elm crotches and some twisty pieces of Honey Locust. I never stalled once (running motor at full throttle). For some context, my previous splitter was a Swisher 22 ton and I borrowed a friends Speeco 22-ton with GX Honda motor when I first starting seriously scrounging for wood. With that background, the short version of the story is that I'm extremely pleased so far with this machine and would buy the DHT again over both of those other splitters even if the DHT cost more.
Pros:
- Solid construction: Seems beefier than the Swisher or Speeco. Certainly weighs more. Welds look good. I like the color, nice looking machine.
- 13 GPM pump: faster cycling than the Swisher and Speeco I have used
- Built in log cradle: Swisher didn't have it
- The log table: wow, not sure how I have gotten along all this time without one of these things. A LOT less bending over picking up splits from the opposite side of the work area=a LOT faster splitting and less back pain. Well worth the extra price if not included.
- 6.5 hp horizontal Kohler: WAY more power than the B&S vertical shaft motor on the Swisher. More power than my friends GX powered Speeco (but not as smooth as the Honda)
- Stripper plates: My Swisher didn't have them. The Speeco did but are not removable for 4 way. I'm not planning on getting a 4 way so the fact they are removable is somewhat moot but still a nice feature
- Huge gas tank: I remember thinking several times that I'm surprised it hasn't ran out of fuel
- Local company: based here in Colorado
- Customer service: This well exceeded my expectations. DHT was all over a few minor issues I had (see below). Like almost instant response time. Kudos to DHT for getting customer service right.
Cons:
- Leaky hydraulic fittings:
I had to tighten the really large fitting that screws directly into the reservoir due to a slight leak. This required a pipe wrench with the red bar from a Hi-lift jack to produce the kind of leverage needed to tighten that thing and I'm immensely strong
No problem now but should have been done properly at the factory. I also had to tighten the hose clamp on the connection between the pump and reservoir due to a slight leak. Lastly the oil filter leaked which required a solid hand tightening to fix.
NOTE: DHT offered to replace the entire tank assembly if I couldn't fix the large fitting leak.
- Measurement sticker is gone: wore off after 4 cords. No surprise considering the sticker was located where logs slide around. I would suggest a just a few engraved notches of 16-20" vs an entire sticker that wears off.
- The control handle was a bit sticky at first, i.e. required a bit more force to activate than I was expecting. Has since smoothed up and feels great now.
- The engine vibrates significantly if not at WOT. Since the instructions state to specifically run at WOT, not a big deal but worth mentioning as my friends Honda powered Speeco doesn't have this problem. At WOT the machine is very smooth.
- Oil plug location: oil drains directly onto the engine "tray" making the oil change quite messy. I might cut away the portion of the tray directly below the oil plug to resolve this. Also it was somewhat awkward to add oil given the oil fill location.
Bottomline: Even considering a few minor issues I think DHT got all the important ones right and would highly recommend if in the market for a 22-ton splitter.
I've since split around 4 cords of wood including some really tough Elm crotches and some twisty pieces of Honey Locust. I never stalled once (running motor at full throttle). For some context, my previous splitter was a Swisher 22 ton and I borrowed a friends Speeco 22-ton with GX Honda motor when I first starting seriously scrounging for wood. With that background, the short version of the story is that I'm extremely pleased so far with this machine and would buy the DHT again over both of those other splitters even if the DHT cost more.
Pros:
- Solid construction: Seems beefier than the Swisher or Speeco. Certainly weighs more. Welds look good. I like the color, nice looking machine.
- 13 GPM pump: faster cycling than the Swisher and Speeco I have used
- Built in log cradle: Swisher didn't have it
- The log table: wow, not sure how I have gotten along all this time without one of these things. A LOT less bending over picking up splits from the opposite side of the work area=a LOT faster splitting and less back pain. Well worth the extra price if not included.
- 6.5 hp horizontal Kohler: WAY more power than the B&S vertical shaft motor on the Swisher. More power than my friends GX powered Speeco (but not as smooth as the Honda)
- Stripper plates: My Swisher didn't have them. The Speeco did but are not removable for 4 way. I'm not planning on getting a 4 way so the fact they are removable is somewhat moot but still a nice feature
- Huge gas tank: I remember thinking several times that I'm surprised it hasn't ran out of fuel
- Local company: based here in Colorado
- Customer service: This well exceeded my expectations. DHT was all over a few minor issues I had (see below). Like almost instant response time. Kudos to DHT for getting customer service right.
Cons:
- Leaky hydraulic fittings:
I had to tighten the really large fitting that screws directly into the reservoir due to a slight leak. This required a pipe wrench with the red bar from a Hi-lift jack to produce the kind of leverage needed to tighten that thing and I'm immensely strong
No problem now but should have been done properly at the factory. I also had to tighten the hose clamp on the connection between the pump and reservoir due to a slight leak. Lastly the oil filter leaked which required a solid hand tightening to fix.NOTE: DHT offered to replace the entire tank assembly if I couldn't fix the large fitting leak.
- Measurement sticker is gone: wore off after 4 cords. No surprise considering the sticker was located where logs slide around. I would suggest a just a few engraved notches of 16-20" vs an entire sticker that wears off.
- The control handle was a bit sticky at first, i.e. required a bit more force to activate than I was expecting. Has since smoothed up and feels great now.
- The engine vibrates significantly if not at WOT. Since the instructions state to specifically run at WOT, not a big deal but worth mentioning as my friends Honda powered Speeco doesn't have this problem. At WOT the machine is very smooth.
- Oil plug location: oil drains directly onto the engine "tray" making the oil change quite messy. I might cut away the portion of the tray directly below the oil plug to resolve this. Also it was somewhat awkward to add oil given the oil fill location.
Bottomline: Even considering a few minor issues I think DHT got all the important ones right and would highly recommend if in the market for a 22-ton splitter.
