Bought a Wood Splitter Yesterday

badlander · #1 08/30/14, 08:48 AM

We finally did it. Being retired=needing more wood for the winter. We figure 5-6 cords should do the trick. Unfortunately, last winter was rough and we completely depleted our store of wood so we are starting from scratch.

We have trees on the ground waiting to be processed and the thought of hand splitting that much wood was making us groan so we spent the last month scouting out splitters. We found two we liked at Tractor Supply and checked them out. The clerks told us that they were due to go on sale in the near future so keep an eye on their ads.

Well, yesterday they went on sale. The 22 ton was regular price, 999.00 but they were throwing in a free log catcher with it, the 28 ton Huskee with a nice Honda engine was marked down $300.

http://media.tractorsupply.com/s7vie...ges/spacer.gif

We got it for 1200, loaded it up and brought it home. We couldn't resist firing it up and giving it a try. It was great. It chewed through gnarly hickory slabs that we had been unable to get a maul to split with no effort what so ever.

Anybody have one of these? Like it? Hate it? Did it cause you any trouble? Right now all I can say about it is bring on winter!
Bought a Wood Splitter Yesterday - Homesteading Questions

Bought a Wood Splitter Yesterday - Homesteading Questions

mrs whodunit · #2 08/30/14, 09:00 AM

We bought an Ariens 27 ton with a Honda engine about 3 years ago. Best thing ever!

It splits our wood and at times we use it to split wood for friends. So it splits over 10 cords a year

Mickey · #3 08/30/14, 09:56 AM

We've had ours for 7-8 years now. It hasn't ever given us a bit of trouble and still runs great. In fact dh is out in the driveway using it as I type this

Phil V. · #4 08/30/14, 01:10 PM

Have same one that you have. Had it about 15 yrs. now and still going strong. I split up to 18 cord a year with it. It can handle a large truckload a day with no problem.

badlander · #5 08/30/14, 02:35 PM

We just put it through it's paces with some 24 inch hickory rounds cut 18 inches long. It grunts into it and gets the job done. I think we split about a half a cord in an hour. So far we are well pleased and impressed by its performance.

logbuilder · #6 08/30/14, 03:45 PM

I have a Cub Cadet 27 ton splitter. It can run either horizontal or vertical. I prefer vertical. I can sit on a 5 gal bucket and can really turn out some firewood. You get this sort of rhythm going. With someone moving rounds to me it really improves the throughput.

HomeAgain · #7 08/30/14, 05:12 PM

This is on my want list so I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to input. Thanks

sassafras manor · #8 08/30/14, 08:21 PM

Not to highjack the thread but I have a Cub Cadet 27 ton splitter and have used it regularly for the past 7 years but this year it does not seem to have the splitting power as previous years. Time to check the hydralic fluid filter?

logbuilder · #9 08/30/14, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sassafras manor

Not to highjack the thread but I have a Cub Cadet 27 ton splitter and have used it regularly for the past 7 years but this year it does not seem to have the splitting power as previous years. Time to check the hydralic fluid filter?

Good place to start. And why not change the fluid while you are at it. Those need to be done periodically.

Could also be carb needing cleaning and adjusting.

bigjon · #10 08/30/14, 08:36 PM

had a 22ton tsc splitter,we put over 300fc thru it(briggs engine)ran as good as new when I sold it.note:change hydraulic filters every 100fc for best performance.

logbuilder · #11 08/30/14, 08:57 PM

The rhythm I spoke of consists of getting the wedge to move as little as possible. On your downstroke, you will see/hear a point at which the log is split. Reverse the lever to go up. Mine can lock into the up position so I don't have to hold it. Toss the split piece. Reposition the log for the next split. Do all this before the wedge gets about 3 inches from the top of the log. Move the lever down. Repeat many times. I run the lever with my right hand and toss with the left hand. On the first split of a log, I push one half to the right and work on the other half. Then I move onto the unsplit half.

For me, it is a process that works well and efficiently.

7thswan · #12 08/31/14, 06:36 AM

Dh bought one , we use it alot,infact I'm the one that uses it the most.Didn't want one as splitting is good exersise. I used to do all the spiltting, have all my life. This is so nice now, I get kinda addicted and can't stop if there is a cut pile of wood ready to go. We need 2 kinds of wood ,one for the woodstove and 1 for the cookstove and the cookstove needs perfect wood as the firebox is small. I can easly split a hunk of wood into maybe 10 pices simply by splitting and spinning the log in the cradle keeping it together.

Dixie Bee Acres · #13 08/31/14, 07:24 AM

I have a Speeco splitter, the 22 ton. Identical to the Huskee, built at same factory to same specs, only the sticker is different. I love it. Good machine, well built. I wish I would have bought the bigger one, but the 22 ton I have gets the job done, it has only struggled on a few burly rough pieces.

Sounds like you got a good buy.
I have noticed on mine, you should be able to lock the lever to retract the wedge, mine doesn't like to stay engaged unless the system has been running for several minutes to get warmed up.

mark3885 · #14 08/31/14, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sassafras manor

Not to highjack the thread but I have a Cub Cadet 27 ton splitter and have used it regularly for the past 7 years but this year it does not seem to have the splitting power as previous years. Time to check the hydralic fluid filter?

At the very least you should change the hydraulic filter every 2 years and the hydraulic fluid at least every 4. My 27 ton American splitter just started to "loose power " this year , but its also 45 years old on its second motor but still original pump and valve assembly , and we split about 10 cord / year.
The problem you are experiencing is a worn out hydraulic pump and or valve assembly , replacements can be found at Northern Tool , but don't oversize the pump , your motor will only handle so much (13gpm for a 6hp motor is about max). If you can't stop the motor dead by holding the control lever in a very tough piece of wood , then the pump is worn.
Here is my maintenance schedule ,very simple, change engine oil yearly or / 10 cord using a good synthetic oil, hydraulic filter every 2 and hydraulic fluid every 4 .
I'll put a new pump and valve on mine but I'm keeping the old girl for another 40 years.