mAxman
ArboristSite Lurker
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2014
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Hey folks,
Had some great responses to my last post so I thought I'd try another. I'm looking to purchase my first splitter but I'm having trouble deciding which brand and tonnage to purchase. Looking at roughly $2000 to $2500 budget.
First question: What tonnage is appropriate? I'm going to be splitting hardwood only, and likely some of it will be in large (24 inch diameter or more) rounds at 16 inches long. Most of what I'll be splitting won't be that big, but nonetheless, will a 20 ton splitter suffice, or do I actually need to fork over the extra several hundred dollars for more force? How much difference will I see between a 20 ton and a 22, or 28 ton?
Second question: Is the honda engine really worth 4 or 5 hundred dollars more than a Kohler or Subaru? I got some advice that if I was going to be keeping the splitter outside, which I will, it's got to be a honda engine. Others say they just run better.
Third question: A lot of reviews I've read about Oregon and Ariens splitters that say they came with bad couplings or hydraulic leaks. This issue appears shockingly common with these brands and has caused me to look at more expensive brands like Wallenstein and Iron and Oak. Problem is, the Wallenstein WX540 (a 20 ton, 160 cc honda engine) is comparable in price to the Oregon OLS28H (28 ton, Honda GX270). Big difference in tonnage and cc's. Side note, Wallenstein also doesn't seem to sell log dislodgers, which I could see being an issue.
Anyway, a lot of questions here. Basically, on a short budget ($2000 to about $2500 max.) I'm looking for a quality purchase that will split the tough stuff and not be another horror story like so many of the reviews I've read. Any advice is hugely appreciated. Thanks!
Had some great responses to my last post so I thought I'd try another. I'm looking to purchase my first splitter but I'm having trouble deciding which brand and tonnage to purchase. Looking at roughly $2000 to $2500 budget.
First question: What tonnage is appropriate? I'm going to be splitting hardwood only, and likely some of it will be in large (24 inch diameter or more) rounds at 16 inches long. Most of what I'll be splitting won't be that big, but nonetheless, will a 20 ton splitter suffice, or do I actually need to fork over the extra several hundred dollars for more force? How much difference will I see between a 20 ton and a 22, or 28 ton?
Second question: Is the honda engine really worth 4 or 5 hundred dollars more than a Kohler or Subaru? I got some advice that if I was going to be keeping the splitter outside, which I will, it's got to be a honda engine. Others say they just run better.
Third question: A lot of reviews I've read about Oregon and Ariens splitters that say they came with bad couplings or hydraulic leaks. This issue appears shockingly common with these brands and has caused me to look at more expensive brands like Wallenstein and Iron and Oak. Problem is, the Wallenstein WX540 (a 20 ton, 160 cc honda engine) is comparable in price to the Oregon OLS28H (28 ton, Honda GX270). Big difference in tonnage and cc's. Side note, Wallenstein also doesn't seem to sell log dislodgers, which I could see being an issue.
Anyway, a lot of questions here. Basically, on a short budget ($2000 to about $2500 max.) I'm looking for a quality purchase that will split the tough stuff and not be another horror story like so many of the reviews I've read. Any advice is hugely appreciated. Thanks!