Splitter: big logs AND SMALL - what's good for all?

Another thumbs up for the Ariens 27 ton. My wife bought it for me this past Labor day weekend (Mama likes to be warm!), so I haven't had it long, but it's been splitting oak, rock elm and maple with no problems. Got the last floor model at a HD, knocked 10% off (=$1,430),they changed the filter & filled it with oil and hydro fluid, and I got 18 months same as cash.

Got home, gassed it up (never had gas in the tank), pulled twice and that Subaru (Robin) motor started right up. Its a great unit - made in Wisconsin, America.

I like the placement of the motor away from the work area and operator, and I like the lever in the middle position allowing me to work from either side.

mikey517 said:

Another thumbs up for the Ariens 27 ton. My wife bought it for me this past Labor day weekend (Mama likes to be warm!), so I haven't had it long, but it's been splitting oak, rock elm and maple with no problems. Got the last floor model at a HD, knocked 10% off (=$1,430),they changed the filter & filled it with oil and hydro fluid, and I got 18 months same as cash.

Got home, gassed it up (never had gas in the tank), pulled twice and that Suzuki (Robin) motor started right up. Its a great unit - made in Wisconsin, America.

I like the placement of the motor away from the work area and operator, and I like the lever in the middle position allowing me to work from either side.

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You meant Subaru right?

MasterMech said:

You meant Subaru right?

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Yup....sure did. Thanks.

That's what I get for trying to rush a post while at work!

jonwright said:

Iron and Oak are fast splitters, but at these prices it seems a lot more money for a little bit of performance. Plus I figure I'll be hauling it around on the bumpy road around here and I'd rather not have a tank that doubles at the axle. Not a big deal if I'm not towing it much.

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The I&O is more than fast (they have a 20 ton, 8 second machine, yee haw!). The quality of the materials used is better than the box-store stuff too. The cast iron wedges on the Troy-Bilt, Cub, and Yard Machine splitters (all built by MTD) work just fine but I have roughly 25 cord thru mine so far (high-carbon steel wedge) and it still looks almost new. 2 itty bitty nicks in the edge. I did break a weld on my tank from some extremely rough towing and I&O replaced it under warranty, no questions asked.

jonwright said:

I'll drop by TSC in a bit and see what they have to allow on the Husky's.

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The weakest link on the Speeco/Huskee 22 ton is that lawnmower style Briggs engine IMO. But it's cheap to replace should that become necessary. Cycle on that machine is advertised @ 14 seconds.

jonwright said:

Lowe's has the 27 ton Troy for $1,200 and with an excruciating cycle time I'd rather have the power of the Ariens.

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Power in the 30+ ton range really is unnecessary with a single wedge, my 26 ton (4.5" cylinder) has eaten everything I throw under it with ease.

I haven't run into anything the 27 ton ariens wouldn't go through. Been splitting some of the gnarliest cottonwood. Picked it up for 1699 two years ago not a lick of trouble since.

jonwright said:

Lowe's has the 27 ton Troy for $1,200 and with an excruciating cycle time I'd rather have the power of the Ariens.

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Not had an issue with cycle time on mine, the Honda GC motor is a plus. If you know they have had it for a while dicker with the Manager and get the price down even more, or get a 10% movers coupon.

If you you're spending ~$2K, then I'd seriously consider that I&O fast cycle splitter (8 second cycle time, vertical/horizontal). That price will get it delivered to your door.

Faster? Look into a Super Split flywheel (kinetic) model. Note that it's horizontal only. Also, its 3 sec. cycle time makes producing kindling difficult.

IMO in a one-man operation, any of the SpeeCo/Huskee or I&O/Brave models under 15 sec. cycle time would make me happy.

MasterMech said:

The I&O is more than fast (they have a 20 ton, 8 second machine, yee haw!). The quality of the materials used is better than the box-store stuff too. The cast iron wedges on the Troy-Bilt, Cub, and Yard Machine splitters (all built by MTD) work just fine but I have roughly 25 cord thru mine so far (high-carbon steel wedge) and it still looks almost new. 2 itty bitty nicks in the edge. I did break a weld on my tank from some extremely rough towing and I&O replaced it under warranty, no questions asked.

The weakest link on the Speeco/Huskee 22 ton is that lawnmower style Briggs engine IMO. But it's cheap to replace should that become necessary. Cycle on that machine is advertised @ 14 seconds.

Power in the 30+ ton range really is unnecessary with a single wedge, my 26 ton (4.5" cylinder) has eaten everything I throw under it with ease.

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I dont worry to much about cycle time, most of the time I do not even let the cylinder retract more than half way before putting in another piece of wood to split

Let me second MasterMech's plug for the Iron and Oak 2609 H/V Splitter.

He also recommended "...skipping the log cradle..." on this splitter. One year ago I would have agreed with him. However, I/O (Brave Products) has since improved these cradle supports and they are now significantly heavier and "beefier" than the earlier version. About 9 months ago I purchased a set of these newer brackets from Brave Products. Installed them on my 2609 H/V and they have yet to bend after about 6 cords of splitting. A significant improvement over the earlier brackets. The log dislodger remains a very convenient feature and well worth the few dollars involved.

Because of its "never fail" performance I would not hesitate recommending this splitter to others. It is user friendly, has easily split all the gnarly/knotty wood being fed, has never had any "issues" other than the original cradle brackets, and has no oil leaks. After approx. 25 cords of splitting, the wedge is essentially as sharp as new. Splitting buddies always comment on its efficiency and reliability.

Best wishes and good luck.

John_M said:

I/O (Brave Products) has since improved these cradle supports and they are now significantly heavier and "beefier" than the earlier version.

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I'm listening but...... Pics or it didn't happen! Let's see it! I was just about to order a 33flame setup for it but now I gotta see yours.

Ran about 1 cord of Pignut Hickory through mine last night. Surprisingly miserable stuff to split, exceptionally heavy and reluctant to completely separate. More knots than I expected too. The splitter didn't grunt but I sure did.

jonwright said:

The Timberwolf dealer is @2hr drive from my house. Talked to him on the phone and I'm really tempted for the base model. Still looking at @$3k OTD with bells and whistles.

Tractor Supply doesn't have any advertised discount on the splitters there (Huskee) and the cycle time for that one is still 13 sec on their web site. And after looking at them I see they rather have a built in log cradle. Yeah, it does look rather inexpensive for sure.

So $1k for Huskee, $2k for I&O, or $3k for Timberwolf with all roughly same PERFORMANCE specs (i.e. advertised splitting time and tonnage are in ball park).

And yes, I do know that this is the automobile equivalent of comparing Kia, Honda, and BMW - rather.

My focus is on cycle time as I project that I'll be spending more time creating the smaller bits of wood and standing up doing so. So is it worth $2k for that to get the Timberwolf? I need to think on that. Sure would be nice and I can see where now that I'm 40+ not having to stoop or sit would be nice in ten years as I age......

Balance that with current prices of split oak going for $80 cord.

Course, for $2k I can build a heck of a dedicated "kindling" splitting station with a small electric splitter if I get the Huskee.

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Are talking a H/V Timberwolf model or one of their dedicated horizontals with an outfeed table and log lift? Makes a big difference IMO as far as that extra $1000 is concerned. If it is indeed the horz. model then that's apples and oranges as for comparing it to the I&O BHVH2609.

MasterMech, your slightest wish is my command! Sometime this afternoon I will take a photo of the original and newest brackets side-by-side. The difference is significant. But, Uh-Oh, now I must learn to upload photos. This should be interesting. You might have to be very patient for the photos to arrive.

OK, MasterMech, here is my first effort at uploading photos:



jesus, what a disaster! I spent a long, confusing time learning the upload procedure and still do not know how the one photo arrived lower than the others. I'll sort it out one of these days - just takes time.

The various photos clearly show the difference in metal thickness between the older and newer log cradle brackets. Notice the triangular gusset on the new bracket (below) where it bolts to the "I" beam.

I've gotta go with MM here. Granted I've never tested one, never even laid hands on one, but I/O looks really awesome on paper. I've studied up quite a bit on things - hp, tonnage, cycle time, frame design. They build a very well thought out product for the high performance (non-commercial) consumer in mind. It seems pricey; however when you consider they bump up the pump and engine and then engineer the frame around it, compared to the lower end manufacturers, it is a machine I would like to own. If a guy has quite a bit of splitting to get done, and doesn't want to just tinker around, I would lay money down that an I/O would produce more cords in the same time frame given the same tonnage.

BUT.... if they would just stick a diesel power plant on their machine, that would make my decision to buy final. But then they would have to switch colors from blue to... yellow and black . (now i'll just cringe and wait for his rebuttal)

My Huskee 28 ton has a Honda engine. It won't stop for anything. I have put the ugliest of uglies in Oak, Maple, Elm whatever. Can get these for 1800 or so. I was talked out of the 35 ton by the TSC manager; he said the Honda put out better torque than the B&S on the 35 ton and it was a cheaper option. Don't take a 4 way splitting wedge into consideration for most splitters. They are NOT FOR HARDWOOD unless you get the Speeco heavy duty 4 way. I personally would not go that route. It is hard enough to get the right size split without having to gauge so many factors. If you want to split 16 inch logs quickly and easily, get a section of 12 x 12 block and cut it so that it can be a block for your 16 inch log between the log and the foot of the cradle. This will allow the automatic return to cycle completely to its' own while you get the next log or spin the current log to the next position. The log cradle is worth every penny as a add on too. Save the strain and time required to deal with larger logs. These Huskee splitters vertical and horizontal, which will help with the big'ns. I usually bust the big ones down to quarters or sixths and then finish them off horizontally. Beware, there is a fella in our midst that will try and talk you into splitting everything vertically. He is from another planet! Don't be fooled!

mywaynow said:

Beware, there is a fella in our midst that will try and talk you into splitting everything vertically. He is from another planet! Don't be fooled!

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He's not from another planet. He probably puts a teaspoon of diesel and sugar in his morning coffee just like the rest of us.

ditchrider said:

He's not from another planet. He probably puts a teaspoon of diesel and sugar in his morning coffee just like the rest of us.

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Backwoods Savage . . . he is the world's most interesting man. He doesn't always split wood . . . but when he does it's vertical. Keep splitting friends.

firefighterjake said:

Backwoods Savage . . . he is the world's most interesting man. He doesn't always split wood . . . but when he does it's vertical. Keep splitting friends.

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Oh I knew who you were talking about. The old man on the milk carton crate. Just one step short of having his picture on a box of "Wheaties".

John_M said:

OK, MasterMech, here is my first effort at uploading photos:

View attachment 78845View attachment 78846View attachment 78848View attachment 78850 View attachment 78843

jesus, what a disaster! I spent a long, confusing time learning the upload procedure and still do not know how the one photo arrived lower than the others. I'll sort it out one of these days - just takes time.

The various photos clearly show the difference in metal thickness between the older and newer log cradle brackets. Notice the triangular gusset on the new bracket (below) where it bolts to the "I" beam.

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Very nice. I wonder if I can get them to send me a set or do I have to fork out the dough for 'em?

mywaynow said:

My Huskee 28 ton has a Honda engine. It won't stop for anything. I have put the ugliest of uglies in Oak, Maple, Elm whatever. Can get these for 1800 or so. I was talked out of the 35 ton by the TSC manager; he said the Honda put out better torque than the B&S on the 35 ton and it was a cheaper option. Don't take a 4 way splitting wedge into consideration for most splitters. They are NOT FOR HARDWOOD unless you get the Speeco heavy duty 4 way. I personally would not go that route. It is hard enough to get the right size split without having to gauge so many factors. If you want to split 16 inch logs quickly and easily, get a section of 12 x 12 block and cut it so that it can be a block for your 16 inch log between the log and the foot of the cradle. This will allow the automatic return to cycle completely to its' own while you get the next log or spin the current log to the next position. The log cradle is worth every penny as a add on too. Save the strain and time required to deal with larger logs. These Huskee splitters vertical and horizontal, which will help with the big'ns. I usually bust the big ones down to quarters or sixths and then finish them off horizontally. Beware, there is a fella in our midst that will try and talk you into splitting everything vertically. He is from another planet! Don't be fooled!

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Wow did you get sold. Don't get me wrong, the 28 ton is a solid machine but damn did that TSC employee earn his check that day!

190cc Honda GC outmuscling a 342cc Briggs Intek = Toyota Tacoma outpulling a PowerStroke Diesel. Sorry but displacement is king and with nearly twice the cubes, you're going to have a hard time telling me that Honda will out-grunt the Briggs. I don't think the one-lung Intek engines are all that but there's just no way that little GC is stronger.

Being that the Honda GC engine really isn't all that expensive, I'd love to see them put that 5hp/11gpm combo on the 4 inch (22 ton) cylinder. Maybe add another $100 to the price and sell 'em for 1200. My Iron & Oak BHVH2609 is available delivered to your door (Caveat: You do have to assemble it yourself and fill it with fluid) for around $2200. And I'd argue any day that it's far more than $400 more machine than the 28 ton Speeco/Huskee.

The 28 Ton is their slowest moving model, most opt for the 22 ton I imagine on price alone, the 35 ton is for those who gotta have bigger/better than the other guy. I think my local TSC still has the same 3 28 ton units they had when they opened 2 yrs ago. The 22 tons rarely last a week.

I can see you are not a 28 ton Huskee fan! I paid 1350 for mine vs. 1800 for the 35. Money was an issue in the purchase, but I did not want to save another few hundred to give up the extra frame size, engince capacity and manufacturer to go with the 22 ton. The GC may not be all that Honda is known for, but there is a reason it commands a premium price. That engine starts on the second pull everytime and is easy on the fuel.