Splitter Advice

[TreePointer]

I have a TSC splitter and like it; however, the 22-ton DHT at Lowes has a few more standard "goodies" on it for the same $999 price.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I swear by huskee 22......

 

[TreePointer]

I swear at my Huskee 35......

(but only when I'm pushing it uphill)

 

[blades]

Menards Sale - if you have one close by 22t splitter gas- $799- no mention of mfg., eng. 196cc , This is the lowest price I have seen in a couple seasons for a new splitter. Used with some common care should be ok. ( don't force it on crotches or uglies or super twisted grain stuff with out at least giving it a starting point with a chain saw cut ,couple inches deep.) doesn't come with fluid- that another $40- about avg. for 5gal. of AW32.

 

[VAfarmer38]

I'm hoping to get everyone's advice on a log splitter. Right now, I'm splitting everything by hand. I've got the Fiskars X27 and I enjoy splitting. I'm relatively young and my back is in decent shape. I've also got a sledge and wedge for the really tough stuff. If a piece is really stubborn, there's always the chainsaw or the firepit. Last winter was my first heating with wood, and I went through about 3.5 cords so I didn't think I really needed to buy a splitter. I'm working my way through a truck load of ash and black birch rounds, but there's a big standing dead red oak on my property I've got my eye on for the future.

I also have a lot of other projects I should be tackling around the house, and I'm starting to question the amount of time I spend splitting. I was thinking if I bought a splitter, I would go with a Timberwolf TW-P1 as that seems like the best out there, and I could get lots done with the 4 way wedge. But then I saw the Super Split/DR Rapidfire, and I was thinking that might be even faster. I also think that's a simpler design and might require less maintenance.

But then I started to notice that a lot of the long time burners on this forum have just a 5 ton splitter (in their signature block anyway). Obviously, that's more attractive from a price and storage point of view and I generally try to avoid buying too much tool for the job. Since those sit low on the ground, I can also see them being easier to work with as you don't have to lift the rounds far to get them on the splitter.

I suppose my question is whether a smaller 5 ton splitter will make my life much easier if I already feel pretty confident using the fiskars. Will it really help with the gnarly pieces? If not, should I just buy one of the bigger splitters I mentioned above to get things done quick and handle anything I throw at them?

I welcome any thoughts.

I bought a 22 ton Huskee from Tractor Supply about 3 years ago and use it regularly. I like it, although if I had the extra $$$ at the time I would have bought the larger one. I think they go under the CountyLine name now but don't quote me on that. It has a 6.75 Briggs motor and I've had good luck with it to this point. I also have a 12 lb wedge head splitting maul with a steel shaft. A lot of times I can split faster with this than with the splitter. Just depends on the wood. This was given to me by my dad a while back and I couldn't tell you where he picked it up from. It's got some age on it. I think I remember seeing similar ones at TractorSupply and Northern recently. I'd love to have a TW-P1 but I just can't swing it right now. I don't really like the 4 way wedge because I split a lot of big stuff. Works great on the smaller pieces though. I would make sure you get a splitter that does both vertical and horizontal. I prefer to split everything horizontal but the big stuff that I can't lift I have to split on the ground with the splitter vertical. It doesn't take long for that to take a toll on your back. Good luck with your purchase whatever you decide to go with.

 

[JSeery]

I bought a 22 ton Huskee from Tractor Supply about 3 years ago and use it regularly. I like it, although if I had the extra $$$ at the time I would have bought the larger one. I think they go under the CountyLine name now but don't quote me on that. It has a 6.75 Briggs motor and I've had good luck with it to this point. I also have a 12 lb wedge head splitting maul with a steel shaft. A lot of times I can split faster with this than with the splitter. Just depends on the wood. This was given to me by my dad a while back and I couldn't tell you where he picked it up from. It's got some age on it. I think I remember seeing similar ones at TractorSupply and Northern recently. I'd love to have a TW-P1 but I just can't swing it right now. I don't really like the 4 way wedge because I split a lot of big stuff. Works great on the smaller pieces though. I would make sure you get a splitter that does both vertical and horizontal. I prefer to split everything horizontal but the big stuff that I can't lift I have to split on the ground with the splitter vertical. It doesn't take long for that to take a toll on your back. Good luck with your purchase whatever you decide to go with.

Thanks for the input. Yes, I think they switched the husky name to County Line but it looks like the same product.

I think the lack of a vertical option for the TW-P1 might be my biggest reservation for that splitter (other than price). I suppose I could add the manual log lift option for that, but the splitter is expensive enough as it is.

 

[JSeery]

Menards Sale - if you have one close by 22t splitter gas- $799- no mention of mfg., eng. 196cc , This is the lowest price I have seen in a couple seasons for a new splitter. Used with some common care should be ok. ( don't force it on crotches or uglies or super twisted grain stuff with out at least giving it a starting point with a chain saw cut ,couple inches deep.) doesn't come with fluid- that another $40- about avg. for 5gal. of AW32.

Thanks, but there aren't any Menards out here that I know of. I've heard great things about that store from my family in Ohio, but it's just not an option on the east coast as far as I can tell.

 

[JSeery]

The TSC splitter 28 ton comes has come with the Honda engine for a while now. The website and some uninformed associates list it as a Kohler. The Honda 190cc engine is a low grade motor with out a cast iron sleeve. I have used a $99 HF 212cc Predator motor and I honestly believe that would be an upgrade. The Honda has no fuel cutoff, speed adjustment and the choke is a wire with 3/4" throw.
I split for a couple of hours and I am unimpressed. The first problem was the air filter and housing blew off at 35 mph on my way home from store. The second issue was it wouldn't start and needed a new plug. If I were to start over I would get the 22ton for $999 and forget about the goofy 4-way wedge. The 4way only worked on straight 12-14 inch rounds, I could split those on my 7 year old electric.

I would get the 22ton at TSC for $999 and wait for engine to die and get the $99 HF 212cc Predator motor/

Sorry to hear that splitter has been problematic, but thanks for all the insight.

 

[VAfarmer38]

I rarely use the splitter vertically but it's nice to know I have the option if needed. I usually bust the really big pieces with my maul and quarter them down so I can work standing upright with the splitter horizontal.

 

[Oldman47]

Thanks, but there aren't any Menards out here that I know of. I've heard great things about that store from my family in Ohio, but it's just not an option on the east coast as far as I can tell.

I find that my local Menards, that I call Maynards, carries lots of substandard tools at prices a bit lower than other places but the general quality deserves no more. On the other hand Lowes carries better tools, is located almost across the street and is fairly competitive on price. The Home Despot does not have a store near me but I find them comparable to Lowes when I visit one in another town.

 

[Jazzberry]

Buy a Tractor Supply 22 ton and be done with it. They were Husky splitters, but I think they've changed the name. I started splitting by hand but simply have too much other stuff to do around the house. The splitter will cost you $1,100 or so and can easily be sold down the road for $600 - $700 on Craigslist.

what he said
County Line 22 Ton at TSC made by Speeco under a bunch of different names
7 years and no stopping it

 

[schwaggly]

Second time using country line 28 ton splitter 3rd issue. No cotter pin in main pivot. I did not double check it beforehand and the splitter almost did a cartwheel. In hindsight I know I should have inspected it closely after already having issues with machine but WTH it's a brand new machine.

 

[Jags]

The swirls in the paint tells me that it originally DID have a pin in it. It must have got dislodged somehow. Hair pin style pins are notorious for getting yanked out by things like branches and weeds.

 

[Jazzberry]

Just got a sale email from TSC 50 off the 22 ton and 100 off the 28
Used to be 100 off the 22

 

[maple1]

The swirls in the paint tells me that it originally DID have a pin in it. It must have got dislodged somehow. Hair pin style pins are notorious for getting yanked out by things like branches and weeds.

Sure do.

I usually try to tie a piece of wire to something from the pin loop, so if the pin falls out at least it hopefully won't get lost before I notice it dangling from the wire.

Another semi-related tip: if you have a trailer jackstand that is removeable & held in place by one of these pins, take the jackstand off & put it in the back of your truck when you're moving the trailer. Nothing much worse than getting where you're going & finding your jackstand has mysteriously disappeared.

 

[VAfarmer38]

Looks to me like there was something there. I'd suggest getting a locking hitch pin. They can be found at tractor supply or somewhere similar.

 

[schwaggly]

Swirlly paint is from deck screw I put in to finish the round that was lodged on wedge. I plan to keep the splitter but I could return it. I do not recommend the country line 27 ton. I would go for the 22 ton. I also don't recommend the 4 way wedge.

 

[matt1@]

Occasionally lowes puts the Dirty Hand Tools 22 ton on sale for $949. I bought mine at this price and after splitting 4 cords with it i never had a single regret.

 

[TreePointer]

For the money, CountyLine (formerly Huskee and made by SpeeCo) is a very good value, but DHT splitters are a nudge better IMO. For a given tonnage the price is about the same, and you get faster cycle times, a few upgraded parts, and the log cradle/table is included.

 

[davidmsem]

Buy a Tractor Supply 22 ton and be done with it. They were Husky splitters, but I think they've changed the name. I started splitting by hand but simply have too much other stuff to do around the house. The splitter will cost you $1,100 or so and can easily be sold down the road for $600 - $700 on Craigslist.

I have one of the 22 ton (county line), and love love love it. Paid $999.

 

[rowerwet]

I bought the 20 ton Harbor freight splitter. $650 on sale plus a $50 coupon. Had to buy oil and hydro oil so that brought the price back to $700.
Being HF I bought the two year warranty also.
So far I've run 3+ cords of maple and oak, nothing stops the splitter and since it splits both ways I have to dump the splits into my trailer so they don't bury me.
I can split about a third of a cord in thirty min.

 

[rowerwet]

I use a ramp to roll the big rounds up onto the splitter, so far the largest has been 26"

 

[JSeery]

For the money, CountyLine (formerly Huskee and made by SpeeCo) is a very good value, but DHT splitters are a nudge better IMO. For a given tonnage the price is about the same, and you get faster cycle times, a few upgraded parts, and the log cradle/table is included.

I have one of the 22 ton (county line), and love love love it. Paid $999.

Thanks. I will just monitor craigslist for a good deal on either that or the DHT. They both sound like a good value and very simple, reliable options.

 

[bad news]

You can split 3-4 cords in a day no problem. If that's all you're doing every year, are you sure it's not cheaper and easier to rent a splitter once or twice a year?

 

[Davej_07]

I split with fiskars and a maul for many years growing up. Now a rotator cuff problem forced me to buy a splitter. I have a 22ton speeco and I'm quite happy with it.