Ariens splitter

[Danno77]

She's right, and she probably likes those muscles too...
Don't do it, stay splitting by hand for as long as your body allows.

TE

The muscles aren't the problem. The time (and energy) I save splitting with a hydrosplitter will be spent triathlon training. Had I not had an injury that interrupted my training schedule a month or so ago I'd have competed in a Half Iron distance race this last weekend. In fact it's this training that has put me so far behind on firewood!

 

[wahoowad]

Buy the splitter already. You think you are going to stop burning wood? You will buy it eventually so go ahead and get it now and enjoy it.

 

[ChadD]

I bought it a couple years ago and I have been very happy with it. They let me use a Harbor Freight 20% off coupon on it ended up getting the 27 ton for $1220 and 12 months interest free.

 

[xman23]

I to hand split for years. Great physical exercise, and for me the mental zone you get into. But there comes a time if your going to continue burning, you need to make a change. From experiences we all make little changes to improve the process more efficient. Splitter is no different. You do need one someday.

 

[nmcqueen469]

So I think she feels that I'm spending a thousand bucks to do something I already do and like to do.

I just got the same feeling from the wife last night as well, I feel your pain!

 

[Danno77]

I just did it. What's the over/under on hours of nagging? get your bets in now.

(I'm super excited to play with the new toy NECESSARY TOOL, but a little buyer's remorse, too. Although, I always say that if you spend more than a couple hundred bucks on something and don't have the slightest hint of buyer's remorse, then you have too much money)

 

[branchburner]

I'm super excited to play with the new toy NECESSARY TOOL

Get ready to smile.

A guy at work the other night told me he finally fired up his new splitter after years of splitting, like me, only by hand. He was almost at a loss for words... he just shook his head, with a huge grin on his face.

Whatever nagging you get will go in one ear, follow your grin down and around to the other side of your head, and go out the other ear.

 

[freeburn]

Get ready to smile.

A guy at work the other night told me he finally fired up his new splitter after years of splitting, like me, only by hand. He was almost at a loss for words... he just shook his head, with a huge grin on his face.

Whatever nagging you get will go in one ear, follow your grin down and around to the other side of your head, and go out the other ear.

I might add...you will want to show your wife your new toy. And want to show her just how much time and energy you now have freed up to spend with her. And then do spend the time with her. You'll wonder why you didn't pull the trigger sooner.

Let me reassure you also on the buyer's remorse, because I get the same thing. You didn't lose money, it was a good investment which you can always sell if need be.

 

[branchburner]

You didn't lose money, it was a good investment which you can always sell if need be.

I am constantly explaining to my wife that purchases which retain value, like tools, are investments... unlike the purchases she prefers, like fancy meals.
She understands.
And she doesn't give a rat's a$$.

 

[Prichan]

I absolutely hate "giving up" so I'm calling this "moving on"...

I've been training quite a bit for triathlons and running so my extra time is extremely limited. Something has to give. I no long can afford the time or energy required to hand split the wood I need. This is evidenced by the 1 cord of split wood and 3 cords of unsplit stacked in my back yard. At this point in the year I should have 5 cords split and stacked, with more in the queue waiting to be split.

This leads me to my question. Home Depot is selling an Ariens at a seemingly good price. I have had experience with their snowblowers and have been impressed with quality. Is there anything I should be aware of? I'm not finding many reviews on it, and I couldn't pull anything up on the forum.

Please help!

I got an Ariens 27 ton last year. So far have split about 10 cords with it, takes everything I throw at it. Have to say I am happy with it. It's got a 3 year warranty, and I got 0% financing, so can recommend so far.

 

[Danno77]

Ugh. What a pain in the butt is has turned out to be, lol.

Decided to buy on credit using my PayPal credit which has a nice 6mo 0% deal. My PayPal limit is like 850 or something, but they say that limits can be increased if you have a good history etc etc. I have had "bill me later" (same account, just changed their name to PayPal credit) for about three years. Paid off in full the couple of times I used it. They say that you don't call for a credit increase, you just try the transaction and it will instantly increase if you are approved. I'm game, it's online, no hurt feelings if it doesn't go through. Did the transaction on the 9th and it went through. I checked my PayPal credit account and it says processing (the total amount that's over my previous limit).

Fast forward to yesterday. I get an email from Homedepot saying that they canceled the order due to insufficient authorization (or whatever wording that means credit card declined, lol) Guess Paypal DIDN'T increase my limit! I called PayPal and the foreign chick says to not worry about the transaction on there from home depot because it's a dummy transaction just checking for funds (kinda like when you get gass and they put a hold on your account to make sure you can actually pay the full amount, but not entirely the same). Anyway I said, "how do I increase my limit I thought I could just try to purchase?" She says "nope, you call us and they pull a new report, etc and maybe"... I tell her to forget it, I'm over that idea because HD has a better deal for their card.

Fast forward to today. I apply for the HD card online and get instantly accepted for $800. Grrrr. Do a couple of quick searches and see that HD online applications always yield smaller limits, just call to take care of it. I call, they increase to $1500 (that was easy, shoulda asked for more) I go to place order and the credit page that tells me how to instantly make an online purchase has "timed out for security reasons" I call HD card back saying "how do I place this online order so I get my 18mo 0% deal that appears to expire tomorrow?. Dude says, well you don't have the card, so you can just go to the store to order it, bring your ID! Ugh. Store is 40 minutes away. I wanted free delivery to save on truck gas and 2 hours of my time!

So. No splitter on it's way currently, but I guess I'm a hair closer, lol. Pouring rain all week here, anyway, I wouldn't be working out in it...

 

[Danno77]

OK, expected delivery is Oct 29-Nov 2nd...

 

[19FarmHand78]

Good deal... but how did "the super hot chick that sleeps with you" take it? Ha ha... I feel your pain.

 

[Danno77]

I'm seriously considering "forgetting" to tell her about it until it shows up in the driveway. Let's hope that Mrs. Danno never visits this forum...

 

[19FarmHand78]

I won't tell if you don't.

 

[jillybeansisme]

Well, here's an ex (to someone)-super-hot-chick (hey, I'm not bad, but half of me is 28) reminding you that Christmas is only a short time away. You've probably been a good boy all year and probably deserve a big gift from Santa. Personally, I would simply tell your hot chick that sleeps with you that, while she's your very best woody whacker and you would never ever consider any other woody whacker for your prime stuff, your sub-prime woody needed more assistance and so you are getting some and you really hope she won't be jealous but you'll NEVER expect her to whack that sub-prime stuff. . . . and tell her before it gets here so it isn't a surprise. Perhaps tell her over a candle-lit dinner you've made her? (Santa's gonna be good to her, too . . . right? Think small and sparkely.)

So did you ever think of paying cash for it?

 

[Danno77]

Yeah, I could have done cash, but it's nice as we approach the holidays to have that cash on hand if we need it, especially considering I got this (still need to contact them for the details) for 0% if I pay it off in 18 months (there was something about >$299 = 6mo things on the site, hence my confusion).

Santa is ALWAYS good to her

 

[jillybeansisme]

0% is good as long as you pay it off before the deadline. It'll be accruing interest the entire time (probably at ~22%) in case you don't and that's where most people get trapped. Enjoy your new toy!

 

[Danno77]

Yeah, the interest if you go past the time is crazy. I didn't really read those details because I do this on several cards nowadays. 99% of what I buy is cash (well, debit from my checking), but I like to do big purchases like this. I think the interest said "22.##% to 29.##%" That could really throw a chunk on there if you forget or miss by a month!

 

[Danno77]

Woohoo! Delivery is tomorrow between 11:00 and 1:00! They will call 30 minutes before so that I can meet them at my house.

 

[Danno77]

Anybody order one of these and had it delivered on a crate? What do I need to be prepared to do? Will I need some fluids? I have fuel. How much assembly will be required?

 

[19FarmHand78]

It's like kid at Christmas.... like the saying my wife put on our son's nursery wall "the only difference between men and boys, is the size of there boots and the price of there toy's"... sorry any way... The few I have seen at local farm stores needed tires put on and fluids filled... I would check all fittings and tighten all bolts... but that's just me.

 

[Danno77]

I wonder if I need to have hydraulic fluid on hand, or if it comes with some.

 

[DickRussell]

If it's in a crate, expect some assembly. The owner's manual for my Huskee 22 ton (as "County Line" from TSC) says "Assembly and Operating Instructions." Summarizing the steps:
1. Remove parts, inspect.
2. Attach wheels to tank assembly.
3. Attach tongue assembly to tank assembly.
4. With beam upright, attach to tank assmebly.
5. Connect the HP hose.
6. Connect the LP (return) hose.
7. [NA to 22-ton model; has to do with a beam lock]
The operating instructions specify adding hydraulic fluid to the tank before starting the engine. Then, after running the wedge back and forth a few times, check the fluid level, as air in the lines will have been displaced with fluid.

As I picked up my splitter from TSC, they had assembled it and filled the tank with oil. They also started the engine for me to verify that it worked. I just towed it home.

 

[Chuck the Canuck]

Way to go on the Ariens Danno! Yer gonna love it!

Cheers,