Follow Up: is this much wood worth buying a splitter for?

[davidmsem]

So tell me was it enough to warrant spliter purchase. Have you proved it by hand splitting an hour??

Hand splitting is not in the cards for me. So far I've got almost 3 cords out of the pile...will probably end up with 4 to 5 cords. I would have needed a four day rental working alone....that would be $300, so for $500 I own a half share.

Well worth it for me, very nice unit.

My swinging days are reserved for the golf course.

 

[davidmsem]

I'm sure you're already past this point as you said the break in was done, but for what its worth i bought my huskee 22 last fall and the manual said to change the oil after the first 5 hours.

I split the difference on the opinions...I ran the engine for about 3 hours with no load and the original oil. Then switched to synthetic, and will change that after another 10 hours of running.

 

[davidmsem]

no one has mentioned the best part about having a good splitter.... the wife can run one!. I run the saw and log up the bucked pieces and she runs the splitter (besides really big rounds). after a few hours we have a very nice pile of splits. plus between the saw and the splitter i can hardly hear her yelling

Will FishKiller....I think the splitting is all in my camp....she almost divorced me over going to an insert, but as the wise men here promised, once she felt the heat, she is really enjoying it.

It takes a smart man to be this stupid.

 

[lindnova]

I split the difference on the opinions...I ran the engine for about 3 hours with no load and the original oil. Then switched to synthetic, and will change that after another 10 hours of running.

You're good to go with that plan. I wouldn't baby any more it after it is warmed up as the rings can use some varying rpms and loads to help seat. Happy splitting!

 

[1kzwoman]

Hand splitting is not in the cards for me. So far I've got almost 3 cords out of the pile...will probably end up with 4 to 5 cords. I would have needed a four day rental working alone....that would be $300, so for $500 I own a half share.

Well worth it for me, very nice unit.

My swinging days are reserved for the golf course.

Yes I bought my splitter after seeing $90 a day rental fees too. I Don't like the risk of paying for someone else's abuse of a rental. I also like the option of splitting when I have the time.

 

[davidmsem]

Yes I bought my splitter after seeing $90 a day rental fees too. I Don't like the risk of paying for someone else's abuse of a rental. I also like the option of splitting when I have the time.

It was suggested here that my friend and I adopt a no loan policy. my neighbor thought that was a good idea as well. I'm glad we did, we've both been asked several times.

Since building the shed in October, and then deciding to have an insert put in, then hiring someone to cut 11 trees down that were mostly ash to get some firewood for next year and clean up the ash borer ridden trees, and now splitting and stacking it, it has been a bit of an exhausting go of it.

I hope once I "catch up" the pace going forward will be a bit more manageable and enjoyable.

 

[Jearley35purdue]

I did not use it, drove home in the dark and parked it in the garage. I'm off of work the next two weeks so I will let you know. The tractor Supply guy was great.....he was trying to start one and encouraged me to start another. One pull, she started, she's mine.

Price was $950. I've been having fun this fall, built the woodshed, got into burning for heat from this website and purchased a Regency I3100. Sometimes life has periods when things go well.

One quick word of advice. As they say the stores state these units are "Ready to Split" with oil and hydraulic fluid in them, please ensure to run the unit for a minute or two and cycle the actuator a few times then re-check the fluid level. I've found more than once that they do fill them with both oil and hydraulic fluid to the level defined after they have been cycled. The hydraulic system (ie.hoses, pumps, etc) will hold a descent amount of fluid. Meaning that after the first run if you check the hydraulic fluid it will be low which is not good on the pump. My only point is, based on experience, the big box stores do indeed assemble and fill the units. But they do not necessary cycle them as required per the manuals to prime the hydraulic system, which in turn could result in you having a low level and need to top it off to avoid any possible issues. This has happened to me twice now with 27 ton splitters I've purchased from the big box stores. Just want you to not have any issues!

 

[davidmsem]

One quick word of advice. As they say the stores state these units are "Ready to Split" with oil and hydraulic fluid in them, please ensure to run the unit for a minute or two and cycle the actuator a few times then re-check the fluid level. I've found more than once that they do fill them with both oil and hydraulic fluid to the level defined after they have been cycled. The hydraulic system (ie.hoses, pumps, etc) will hold a descent amount of fluid. Meaning that after the first run if you check the hydraulic fluid it will be low which is not good on the pump. My only point is, based on experience, the big box stores do indeed assemble and fill the units. But they do not necessary cycle them as required per the manuals to prime the hydraulic system, which in turn could result in you having a low level and need to top it off to avoid any possible issues. This has happened to me twice now with 27 ton splitters I've purchased from the big box stores. Just want you to not have any issues!

Thank you very much Jearley......I did do that, and the hydraulic fluid was at the absolute minimum level so I topped her off! Also found some loose nuts and bolts.......I appreciate all the help.....

 

[Kenster]

I have two near-neighbor/friends. We share lots of equipment. The other two guys have trailers that I can borrow. One of them has a Ford 8N tractor, just like mine. Between the two of us we have all the implements we need. Why own everything when we can share? One of them does all sorts of repairs for me- welding, home wiring,etc. He gets to use my splitter anytime he wants. The other neighbor cuts down trees and bucks it all up himself. We use my splitter to split it all. I get half of the wood or half of the money if he sell it.

I figure I'm getting the better end of the deal. Plus, I've got two great friends.

 

[davidmsem]

I have two near-neighbor/friends. We share lots of equipment. The other two guys have trailers that I can borrow. One of them has a Ford 8N tractor, just like mine. Between the two of us we have all the implements we need. Why own everything when we can share? One of them does all sorts of repairs for me- welding, home wiring,etc. He gets to use my splitter anytime he wants. The other neighbor cuts down trees and bucks it all up himself. We use my splitter to split it all. I get half of the wood or half of the money if he sell it.

I figure I'm getting the better end of the deal. Plus, I've got two great friends.

Sounds a great arrangement Honeymoon year for me and I'm enjoying the warmth! Wood heat is penetrating! Love it!

 

[davidmsem]

Thank goodness I split the purchase of the splitter with my neighbor! I have 5 cords split and stacked and at least one more to stack from the trees I had taken down. I was charged $1300 to have the trees taken down and cut into rounds. Rental would have been for at least 5 days, approximately 400, about my share in the splitter.

 

[Pennsyltucky Chris]

The County Line 22 is the same as the Huskee, if I'm not mistaken, You got it for $500? I may have to go get one if that's the case. That's like half price!

 

[Kenster]

I think he meant his HALF, shared with his neighbor, cost him $500.

The County Line 22 is the same as the Huskee, if I'm not mistaken, You got it for $500? I may have to go get one if that's the case. That's like half price!

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

The County Line 22 is the same as the Huskee, if I'm not mistaken, You got it for $500? I may have to go get one if that's the case. That's like half price!

He split it with a friend....

 

[Pennsyltucky Chris]

Ah.... Sorry. First cup of coffee.

 

[Hogwildz]

I got an older Northstar off my neighbor for $400.00
Has the wedge on the end. I like this set up.
I used to borrow it off him, then he went to coal and offered it to me, I snatched that sucka up!
My shoulders and back thank me every time I split wood. Of course my back is still a biach about it after a few hours, but I show it who's boss, till later that night, then it reminds me who really is boss.
Wise choice, enjoy that every time you split.

 

[davidmsem]

The County Line 22 is the same as the Huskee, if I'm not mistaken, You got it for $500? I may have to go get one if that's the case. That's like half price!

I split the price with my neighbor who runs a wood fired pizza oven next door....

 

[davidmsem]

I got an older Northstar off my neighbor for $400.00
Has the wedge on the end. I like this set up.
I used to borrow it off him, then he went to coal and offered it to me, I snatched that sucka up!
My shoulders and back thank me every time I split wood. Of course my back is still a biach about it after a few hours, but I show it who's boss, till later that night, then it reminds me who really is boss.
Wise choice, enjoy that every time you split.

Thanks.....you have steered me to many good decisions.....