Electric Splitter - Please help me decide...

Hello,

Let me start with the question: should I get the DR 5 ton (last year) for about $450 delivered, or the 4 Tons Ryobi for about $320 (inc. tax) ? (Maybe none?)

Background: Is the extra 1 Ton and (assumed) better quality worth the $130 for the DR? I own DR's mower and snow thrower, so I'm quite familiar with their good products. However, I'm not sure if they worth the extra $$ in this case. Although I have access to my in-law's 32 ton splitter, it's a hassle getting the wood there or borrowing and towing the splitter (they live about 45 min away). So, I'm looking for something that will save my back (read: avoit the hand work), something that will split most of my wood, and leave only the very stringy/knotty stuff to haul to the big splitter.
Another way of looking at it: say I have a pile of logs to split, and they are your average mix: some knotted, some not, different sizes, etc. How much service can I expect from these electric splitters? That is, are they likely to successfully split 50% of the pile and make me take the rest to the 32 ton unit? 75%? 90%?
I know that there's a lot of assumptions that can be made here, but given YOUR experience with such electric splitters (which is infinitely higher than mine -- since I have zero...) -- what is your best guess?

Looking forward to read your input, and thanking you in advance!
Zevi.

wahoowad said:

I put a lot of weight on how easily I can return something if it craps out on me, or really disappoints.

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I could not agree more! As a general rule, if I can't return it -- I don't buy it. Especially in such cases where I don't know how useful the tool is going to be for me.

Yes, I have HD nearby, and the convenience of local buy/return is tempting. With DR there's the hassle of shipping it back, but I'm sure it's quite easily done because a lot of their reputation and advertisement is built upon the "Try it for 6 months."

I have the Ryobi and it has worked fabulously. It has split 99% of everything I have fed it

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Great! That is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to get. I will split pieces that are up to about 16"-18" long and probably up to about 14" diameter. If the splitter can tackle these, and leave only those larger pieces and those with big knots (especially the Y's) for me to take to the 32 Tons splitter -- then it serves it's purpose well.

How long have you had the Ryobi for? Reliability issues?

Thanks again!
Zevi

I think it may be fate! I just got an e-mail from NorthernTools that today they end a free-shipping promotion.
They sell a 5-Tons unit for $300, where the Ryobi is 4 Tons. The problem: they are backordered until mid-February.

(http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200316861_200316861)

This is what I think I'm going to do: order the 5 Ton unit, and also buy the Ryobi from HD. If in the next week I'll happily split with the Ryobi -- I'll cancel with Northers (the unit would not ship yet). If I feel that the Ryobi is marginal and I want the extra 1 Ton -- return it to HD and wait for the slightly bigger splitter.
(Yeah, I know - with my luck I'll end up owning two splitters...)

Zevi

elkimmeg said:

I don't know where you live but Grosman's bargin outlet sell the Iron horse brand I have used it its 6 tons store wide sale this week 15% off 6 ton splitter for under $250....

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I agree with you -- this splitter looks good, and if I could, I would get one! However, I live in Michigan, and the closest store is in Ohio. When I called them they were out of stock, and don't expect any soon. Besides, they do not ship, so going 200 miles to get it becomes an issue...

Also, Elk, in regards to your post about Lowes, I checked their site. The only thing that comes under "splitter" is a big thing:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=116418-270-24BF572B711

This weekend I'm going to try the Ryobi and see how well it does.

johnsopi said:

I have the Ryboi 4 ton from HD. Got a 5% coupon off ebay for 2$. Had to return the 1st one after spltting 3
cords of sweetgum. Have only used the new one for a .5 cord. Got to the Poplur and can splitt that fast with a maul. It wont do everything but is a help.

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John, Can you elaborate please on why you had to return it? 3 Cords and they took it back? You think I'd better wait and get the 5 Tons from Northern? (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...stomer driven-_-Recently Viewed-_-Search Page)

Thanks!