Old gas powered splitter

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Old Gas Powered Splitter

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    Votes: 1 50.0%

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    Votes: 1 50.0%
  • Total voters
    2
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Suzzanne

New Member
Sep 20, 2015
4
Albany
Hello -
I have an gas powered log splitter that was my fathers. I have had it in my garage for the past 20 years and my neighbor each year has started it up, done all the things you need to do to it, and back in it went. So it's in pretty good shape. I am ready to let it go and want to know how much I should ask for it. I have to get rid of the price tag that I have in my head because that includes seeing my dad out in the yard using it as a kid and that image is worth a million dollars to me. I have attached a few pics and appreciate any advice.

Thank you,
Suzanne
 

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It's always tough to value something like that. It looks like it's in fairly good shape. I like how low it is. It would be easy to roll a large round up on it. On the other side of that it, it can't be towed like the ones sold at the box stores. Do you know the size of the motor or pump? That could give you an idea of what it would cost new and then you could discount from there.
 
EatenByLimestone said:
It's always tough to value something like that. It looks like it's in fairly good shape. I like how low it is. It would be easy to roll a large round up on it. On the other side of that it, it can't be towed like the ones sold at the box stores. Do you know the size of the motor or pump? That could give you an idea of what it would cost new and then you could discount from there.
Click to expand...

the label in the pic says 4hp.. looks like the exact same Briggs I have on my ancient front tine tiller (that I never use)
 
Suzzanne said:
Hello -
I have an gas powered log splitter that was my fathers. I have had it in my garage for the past 20 years and my neighbor each year has started it up, done all the things you need to do to it, and back in it went. So it's in pretty good shape. I am ready to let it go and want to know how much I should ask for it. I have to get rid of the price tag that I have in my head because that includes seeing my dad out in the yard using it as a kid and that image is worth a million dollars to me. I have attached a few pics and appreciate any advice.

Thank you,
Suzanne
Click to expand...

WantAd Digest - $200.00
 
Looks like an old Didier splitter. Didier made splitters under its own brand name, and rebranded them for retailers like Montgomery Ward. They're less powerful than what's typically sold today, but they have a sort of cultish following. I'd guess $300.
 
Also, if you want to start heating with wood and put that thing to use instead of selling it, you'll find plenty of help with that here too.
 
Suzanne, are you in Albany, NY or GA? If NY, I might be interested.

Also, if you can post a pic of the serial number on the motor, I can date the engine.
 
Dan B said:
Suzanne, are you in Albany, NY or GA? If NY, I might be interested. Also, if you can post a pic of the serial number on the motor, I can date the engine.
Click to expand...
Dan - I live in Albany,NY and I will get that serial number for you. Thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
At 4hp that will be a pretty low volume pump...probably an 8gpm unit. It does have all the design characteristics of the Didier units. As a running and operational unit I would guess that $300 is about right. Just one dudes opinion.
 
That is a good splitter. My dad gave me one just like it but the motor didn't run and the pump was clogged with a sheared key and the ram was bent.
I replaced the cylinder, tore the motor down and gave it a good tune up and mild port with a mild regrind of the cam, fixed the pump, and installed a bigger oil tank.
I ended up busting the beam and put a bigger beam on it. I have since added a table and a bigger/taller axle.
 
I have to go lay down now, somebody did a regrind on a four horse Briggs cam. >> Headers?
 
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It's not 4 hp anymore. It's probably more like 7. That compression reducing lump does a number on the power output.
My wife can no longer start it, so I need to do something about that.
 
Electric starter from a snowblower? Larger erratics on a pull start would give more of a lever to turn it over as the rope is pulled.
 
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Reactions: Ashful
It lets me turn the differential pressure up and maintain higher peak pressure.
I run an 11gpm pump at 2600 psi peak with a diff pressure of 800-1,000 psi.
 
Hmmm...odd that from the factory they would have used an 11gpm pump on a 4HP engine (unless something isn't original equipment). Those two are not a match unless they were running low system pressure.
 
BrotherBart said:
I have to go lay down now, somebody did a regrind on a four horse Briggs cam. >> Headers?
Click to expand...
I've tossed it since, but that was one of the projects I did as a kid, with my father. Old 1.5 hp lawnmower engine, horizontal shaft (must've been a reel type), flat head that I believe to have been a very old Briggs. We ported, polished, custom exhaust... etc. Was a fun intro into working on engines. Also rebuilt an old Maytag kick-start washing machine engine, at the same time.
 
Ashful said:
I've tossed it since, but that was one of the projects I did as a kid, with my father. Old 1.5 hp lawnmower engine, horizontal shaft (must've been a reel type), flat head that I believe to have been a very old Briggs. We ported, polished, custom exhaust... etc. Was a fun intro into working on engines. Also rebuilt an old Maytag kick-start washing machine engine, at the same time.
Click to expand...

When I was a teenager I had one of those old iron Maytag one lungers. Mom told me that they had one on their washing machine on the farm and Grandpa was the only one who could start it. 1. Stomp the starter. 2. Spit tobacco on it. 3. Call it a &$(*@ SOB. 4. Kick the starter again and it would fire right up. ;lol
 
I remember just about breaking my leg on the thing, when it would backfire.
 
The downfall of that splitter besides age, is how low it sits. I agree with the consensus of $200- $300.
That thing has achy back written all over it.
 
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