I have the 27 ton Honda-powered splitter and my buddy has the next step down (20? 22?) with the Briggs engine.
I like my bigger cast or forged foot better than his smaller steel one. The small one really needs to be extended to make vertical splitting worth a poo. Anything too big to lift to the horizontal mode is invariably non-cylindrical and a real beeyotch to make "take hold" and not just lift the splitter off the ground. Actually, we prefer to split or cut rounds if we need to versus vertical splitting. Getting on your knees to muscle a big log around sucketh.
I like my main beam's "cradle" much better than his flat-top. The cradle actually does a great job of holding the log, whereas you must hold the log on his machine.
His splitter seems to have a faster cycle time, but we've not been able to stall either one. I generally run muine at 1/2 or 3/4 throttle anyway, so cycle time isn't a big priority for me.
I never did warm up to my Honda. It just ever did impress me like I expected a Honda to. At any throttle position. Merely adequate, nothing special. I'd not select that splitter just for the engine. Buddy's Briggs is just fine. Starts easily, idles well, revs smoothly and produces adequate power. My machine is two years old, his is one. Time will tell about longevity.
I don't think the manufacturer primes these before they paint them. My tank had sheets of paint peel off, and there was no difference in color between exterior and bottom layer. I've since camoflaged mine to keep it more inconspicuous to tweakers when I do have to leave it outside. Nothing like a towable bright red and looks-like-everyone-else's splitter to attract thieves.
The tongues are kind of flimsy, they really don't take well to a jack-knife back-over like one would expect. Don't ask...
Put a ball bungee around the tongue behind where the kickstand folds into, that way you can bungee it in place while you fiddle with the pin.
My model leaks (gas or oil, I forgot) when it's tilted rearward (foot on the ground, coupler in the air, not in vertical splitting position). His doesn't, so he just stands it up to pin the kickstand in place. I can't, hence the bungee.
The safety chains are about 4 links too short. Lengthen 'em.
The wedge is built such that a pair of voids exist in the top where you can lodge fiberglass driveway markers (orange with reflective tape on the top) so you can see that you still have the splitter as you drive. I'm real freaky about that for some reason.
The steel hydro line along the cylinder is placed perfectly that you can wedge a hatchet in there for those stringy hangers-on. And it says there going down the road. Oops.
Keep your fingers clear of the wedge a bit longer than you think you should. The wedge is followed by the cross-bolt and that will turn your fingertip a lovely purple color. Again, don't ask.
Good luck.
