Log splitter

[ispinwool]

I'm not sure if this is the proper place for this question so, if it needs moved, please do.

I bought a Huskee log splitter from TSC a few years ago. Hubby keeps it buried in the garage "so it doesn't get ruined by the weather".
I can't remember the last time it got used.
Where do y'all keep your splitter?
Are they built to sit outside? Ok, maybe not full time all year long outside...but would a couple of weeks hurt?

 

[redyute]

My splitter sleeps in the garage cant even think about leaving it outside which i'm sure covered under a tarp wont hurt. My neighbor has his permanently outside under a tarp but i just couldn't do that, that's just me though

 

[SpaceBus]

I have a cover for mine and it lives outside.

 

[GadDummit]

ALL of mine is exposed to weather except the motor. It won't hurt the hydraulics or anything. The exposed metal (blade, any scratches on the frame) will show some discoloration from the rain, but they'll be fine. The motor just needs a tarp and a rope around it to keep it from blowing off and it'll be just fine. Tell hubby to evict that thing and get your garage back.

 

[weatherguy]

Mine is buried in the garage, cant remember the last time I used it. I guess I'm no help to you

 

[ispinwool]

Thanks y'all for the replies! (I just ordered a cover for my splitter)

...another question popped up during discussion...those of you that have your splitter outside--is it on a cement pad? ...gravel? or just in the grass?
...

 

[Bad LP]

I don't like leaving anything outside in the weather. Spliter is nice and clean in the wood storage room in my basement, essentially it's a garage.

 

[Ashful]

I have the 22 ton Huskee and keep it outside under this cover:

Classic Accessories Gas Log Splitter Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QHBVCO/?tag=hearthamazon-20

No issues at all with keeping it outdoors, it hasn’t shown a bit of age. The first cover I bought (that model) lasted five or six years, but now it’s finally starting to come apart. It’s replacement is arriving today, and I don’t mind the cost of a new cover every 5 - 6 years, for the convenience of just keeping the splitter in my splitting area, versus hauling it back and forth to the barn each time I use it.

The cover has an elastic band around the bottom to keep it in place, but I eventually added a pair of eyelets down low to bungee it to the wheels and keep it on even more snug during windy storms.

 

[SpaceBus]

Thanks y'all for the replies! (I just ordered a cover for my splitter)

...another question popped up during discussion...those of you that have your splitter outside--is it on a cement pad? ...gravel? or just in the grass?
...

Currently it's parked on ice, but I'm not picky

 

[SpaceBus]

I have the 22 ton Huskee and keep it outside under this cover:

Classic Accessories Gas Log Splitter Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QHBVCO/?tag=hearthamazon-20

No issues at all with keeping it outdoors, it hasn’t shown a bit of age. The first cover I bought (that model) lasted five or six years, but now it’s finally starting to come apart. It’s replacement is arriving today, and I don’t mind the cost of a new cover every 5 - 6 years, for the convenience of just keeping the splitter in my splitting area, versus hauling it back and forth to the barn each time I use it.

The cover has an elastic band around the bottom to keep it in place, but I eventually added a pair of eyelets down low to bungee it to the wheels and keep it on even more snug during windy storms.

I think that's basically the same one I have. It works great and covered the whole thing. My dealer threw it in for free.

 

[tadmaz]

I keep my splitter in a detached garage. It's extremely extremely heavy, so I just bought a trailer dolly with pneumatic wheels to help move it around. Tongue weight is near 100 lbs and then moving it several hundred feet up hills is quite the chore. I do not split by hand, too much work.

 

[paulnlee]

What about the little critters that love to nest there?

 

[Sawset]

Being on a farm, we're faced with storage issues on a lot of things. If we had a pc with mechanicals like a splitter, then a tarp like Ashful has would be just fine. Keep the engine covered and out of the weather at least. To me the other hydraulics and mechanisms would be optional. We do keep whatever we can here inside or covered. Otherwise stuff can get to look weathered and beat after while.
Critters - a machine shed is usually not sealed by any means, and all kind of critters can make their way in. Mouse poison or traps can keep them out of cabs, engines, seats etc. Outside especially they like to build up under engine shrouds etc.

 

[ispinwool]

I keep my splitter in a detached garage. It's extremely extremely heavy, so I just bought a trailer dolly with pneumatic wheels to help move it around. Tongue weight is near 100 lbs and then moving it several hundred feet up hills is quite the chore. I do not split by hand, too much work.

I was unprepared for how heavy ours is. I had no prior experience with them. Luckily we have both a mid-size tractor and a Ranger to move
it from place to place. Hubby just hates unburying it every time. So now that I've asked the experts, I'll stick to my guns and have him
put it by the wood stacks. We *need* to use it simply because hubby already had surgery on one shoulder and I probably should have. We
don't need to be messing up our joints any further.
I ordered a cover about an hour ago.
Thanks everyone for the info!

 

[SpaceBus]

I have a Brave 20 ton dual split, and it weighs about 350 lbs. Pretty easy on flat ground, but bumps and hills end the fun with a quickness. I bought a bucket hitch for my tractor and that's how I move it across rough terrain.

 

[Mutineer]

My 20 ton unit from Northern Tool is 1992 vintage and has spent its' entire life outside. I buy a cheap plastic storage tote at Wal Mart and cut a u shaped slot about 5 in deep and 4 in wide on one side and turn it over and place it on the engine to keep it dry. Replaced the tires once but the rest is original and have had no problems. Well, wore out the original 5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine about 10 years ago but replaced that with a used 190 cc Honda that is a dream. Keeping an eye on the high pressure hoses that are showing some cracking but after 25+ years that's to be expected.

 

[johneh]

Mine has a cover and sits outside from spring to late fall .
In the Fall it is put to bed in the drive shed winterized
and covered ready for next spring

 

[ispinwool]

Mine has a cover and sits outside from spring to late fall .
In the Fall it is put to bed in the drive shed winterized
and covered ready for next spring

Perfect compromise! Hubby can happily put it back in the garage in the fall...and I can use it all summer as needed.

 

[ispinwool]

My 20 ton unit from Northern Tool is 1992 vintage and has spent its' entire life outside. I buy a cheap plastic storage tote at Wal Mart and cut a u shaped slot about 5 in deep and 4 in wide on one side and turn it over and place it on the engine to keep it dry. Replaced the tires once but the rest is original and have had no problems. Well, wore out the original 5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine about 10 years ago but replaced that with a used 190 cc Honda that is a dream. Keeping an eye on the high pressure hoses that are showing some cracking but after 25+ years that's to be expected.

25 years is impressive!

We have a couple of items for sale that need dug out of the garage tomorrow---my splitter is going to be moved anyway; he may
as well put it by the stacks for the summer!

 

[ispinwool]

THANKS AGAIN Y'ALL FOR THE HELP!

 

[Sodbuster]

I keep all my implements under a roof at the least, my splitter lives in an unused garage. Storing things outside, just hastens their useful life.

 

[RandyBoBandy]

I bought a heavy duty canvas tarp for my splitter and just leave it by whatever pile I happen to be splitting at the moment. Long periods of non use I will put it under the lean-to off of my small barn. Like many have said if you cover the important stuff it will be fine. I try and spray the rail with some wd 40 or pb blaster from time to time but that doesn’t always happen. And really any surface rust is wore off after about 1/2 hour of splitting.

 

[Jay106n]

Mine lives in the garage as well.

 

[Grizzerbear]

I put mine in lean to when I'm not gunna b using it for a while. Before I built wood shed I had no option but to leave it out. Just tarp motor like everyone said and may I suggest that if it is going to set out in same spot any length of time to park tires on top of scrap 2x4 or what have you. If not after a while it sinks in soil and really speeds the tire rot in my opinion

 

[Woody5506]

I have an Ariens 27 ton I keep in my shed. If I have the space, nothing sits outside.