Another: Rate this splitter please

A local company has this splitter for sale. I cannot find anything else in this price range and I am also not a fan of the trunnion mounted cylinder. Unfortunately my options are limited. Obviously it is a "Made in China" unit on top of that.

The photos were taken while it was being assembled on the shop floor. I have included a small photo off the website to show what the complete unit looks like. What is your opinion?

I'll have to go look at it at the store again but I think it should be possible to fabricate a guard for the pump so that a log won't drop on it.

Ok I noticed that it does not have the pins on the side but assumed that when a cylinder is mounted on the front like that, it is always called a trunnion mount. Learned something at least, thanks.

Would you say this method of mounting is better than trunnion?

Keep in mind that I am in South Africa with silly import duties. Our exchange rate is also 10 Rand (R10) to the USD.

This splitter is selling for around $1750-00 without oil.

In comparison, the 27 ton Gravely splitter, made by Ariens it seems, is one of the few brand name splitters around here, is selling for $3000-00.

If I could purchase splitters at American prices, I would have had a few by now

Some Specs:

Maximum Splitting Force: 36 Ton (of which I have my doubts)
Engine Type: 4-Stroke Pull Start
Engine Power: 11HP
Maximum Log Size: 24 Inches \ 600mm
Weight : 260 kgs
Cycle Time: 17 Seconds
Engine Oil Sump : 8 Liter
Wheel Sizes: 13"X5.00-6

• Can be utilized in both Horizontal and Vertical positions.
• Highly mobile trailer like design makes working on the move easier.
• 2-stage Hydraulic Pump \ 11 gpm

I think the Chinese English (engrish) misled them a bit: not 8 Liter engine oil but 8 gallons hydraulic oil.

So far I am surprised that the comments are not more negative.

The closest thing to a Huskee that I can have delivered to my door at that price is a Husky. Fluffy dog with blue eyes

I actually went looking for that Gravely 27ton splitter quote which I got some time ago. It was $3600-00 excluding delivery. The dealer is also 800 miles from me. So warranty backup might be an issue too.

Not many people around here know what a log splitter is. They would rather rely on cheap labor off the street to do the hard work for them.

All the bolts are rated grade 8.8 at least. The welding seemed ok but that can be repaired/improved by myself if need be.

The manual that comes with the splitter shows that a 9HP should be fitted, so I get the idea that they had some extra 11HP motors somewhere. At least that leaves the window open for a pump upgrade in future, I think.

Thanks for the feedback so far!

So I went back to the shop today. The assembly is 95% complete. Here are some more photos.

I asked the name and details of the previous client who bought one. I had a long chat to him and ensured me that even the worse pice of twisted Eucalyptus is not a problem for this splitter. He has rounds on which they have snapped a few steel handle axes and this splitter splits them all. He sounds convinced. He runs a fire wood business on various farms so it sounds like his equipment works hard enough.

So I think I'd better phone the salesman and get my name on the one in the shop.

The Ariens is not available here. The Gravely is but with only one distributor, far away from me, and at double the price, that is not a good option for me.

At least this shop is nationwide around here, so I'll have to settle with what is available and maybe make some improvements when the warranty has expired.

A change in colour will definately be on the cards as well in a year's time. I prefer red.

I use the Black Wattle Tree (Acacia mearnsii) for barbeque. They are an invasive alien specie here. They are easy to work with and splits easy too. I don't use it in the stove since they take forever to season. After 18months in our climate they still hiss and ooze moisture.http://www.wattlewood.co.za/firewoo...urg-gauteng/black-wattle-acacia-mearnsii.html

The ACACIA ERIOLOBA (CAMELTHORN) is also popular as firewood but I see they might go back onto the protected species list. We don't have any growing in the area and I have never worked with it.

I focus mostly on Eucalyptus for heating. We have plenty of it. It is not fit for the barbeque so most people don't bother with it. More for me Eucalyptus also season faster and burns clean. They can be hard work at times