I was really looking into buying one this winter when they usually go on for sale, like 799 with fluids but Bomgaars no longer carries DHT, it's Black Diamond or something now. I know they're the same but I liked what I've heard about DHT.
I bought our 27 ton, from Lowe's in Aug of 16', it was on sale for $1,200, normally $1,400, fully assembled w/fluids, and have been very happy with it, I have split up to 32" spruce with it, and rarely run it at full throttle. I just don't like listening to almost any machine running at MAX RPM, for extended periods. Throttle it down a bit, and I feel it increase's the machine's life expectancy exponentially , reduces fuel consumption, and I see little decrease in splitting speed, I learned the same thing with the boats years ago, throttle up to get on plane, then back down, major increase in fuel range, and small decrease in boat speed. At 4,200 RPM in the boat, I can WATCH the fuel gauge DROP, 3,000 RPM, a couple miles an hour(Knots, for you Nautical types
) slower, but what a difference in fuel usage
We had rented a 25 ton Speeco, before we bought the DHT, it was a Good machine, but it convinced me, that for OUR use 25 tons was the MINIMUM rating, our 27 ton has handled everything that we have put to it without struggle, and was the Best Price/Rating/Features package that I found.
Coastal carries the Black Diamond brand around here, I looked at it out of curiosity after buying the DHT, the price, quality and features seemed comparable, looking at it at the store, but I have never RUN a Black Diamond, I won't say anything Bad about them, but I have HAD Great Experience with our DHT, and their CS, if you CAN get a DHT in your area, I would expect you to be Very Happy with the machine, AND their Customer Support.
Doug
