What wood splitter for budget of $1200

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woodhog73

Minister of Fire
Jan 12, 2016
780
Somewhere cold !
I think I'm going to break down and get a splitter. Just getting tired of swinging the maul at everything although I do still enjoy hand splitting most of the time. I also still think hand splitting is faster if the wood cracks easy. However I have many stubborn rounds where I always say I wish I had a splitter.

My max budget is $1200.

I posted a few weeks back asking about a lower priced never heard of it brand of splitter I saw at a box store. I think it was in the $700 price range. I decided to increase the budget a little and I'm wondering what's the best bang for the buck at the $1200 price range. I'd rather buy the cheaper option but I'm afraid it won't last.

I'm splitting mainly red and white oak. Some of it very large. I'm thinking of staying in the 20 ton plus category.

Local dealer has some Ariens splitters I think 22 ton for around that price. Are they any good ? Also can get a cub cadet also $1200 but it looks not as well built but I think it was a 25 ton.

There's so many brands out there unlike chainsaws where there's just a few good brands, with splitters there's too many to choose from.
 
Does it have to be gas or would you consider electric ?
 
Tractor Supply/Speeco/Huskee 22 ton splitter. Horizontal/vertical, about $1000, $900 on sale. Best splitter value out there.

Good luck!
 
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1. DHT 22-ton splitter (find lowest price at various big box stores)
2. CountyLine 22-ton log splitter (formerly "Huskee" made by SpeeCo)

IMO, the DHT is the best value for entry level splitters right now, and I'd pay the few $$ more for one instead of the CountyLine. My Lowes has them on sale this week for $999.

If you want more force with a decent cycle time, consider the DHT 28-ton. It's more $$ than your budget, but also a good value. (Note that the DHT 27-ton model has a slower cycle time than the 28-ton model.)

FYI, Cub Cadet = Troy-Bilt/MTD clone.
 
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I recently purchased the Ariens 22 ton after researching for quite some time. I looked at TSC and Lowe's at the DHT and CountyLine and they just didn't seem as thought out as the Ariens. I love the design as it is simple and everything is out of the way of the operator. It has split everything that I have thrown at it so far. Good luck with your decision!
 
When I was looking at splitters a while back, I remember reading where there were some problems with the trunnion mount failing. I have no idea whether or not there was any truth to it or not. That's why I opted for the speeco model. I knew of others that had the speeco/countyline/huskee without any problems. But the ariens has excellent reviews. I don't know that you could go wrong with either one. I'd go with whichever is cheaper. I know that the speeco is a tried and true machine.
 
Thanks for the info. I didn't check out tractor supply so I'm going to do that.

I don't want to over complicate things so based on what you all have responded I'm between the Ariens and the Speeco / Huskee at tractor supply. I've seen the Ariens and it looks well built. I was leaning that way but if there is an option at $900 bucks on sale that muddies the water for me.

Perhaps since we are headed into the off season they will be even cheaper ?
 
I've owned a TSC Huskee (SpeeCo) splitter from TSC since 2009 and have also used many of their models under various brand names. Reliable, no troubles. Good customer service, too.

DHT uses the same in-beam log cradle that SpeeCo has had on their splitters for a very long time. For the same tonnage, DHT gives you faster cycle times and a few upgraded parts. I would not hesitate to buy either, but I get more bang for my buck with the DHT.
 
I purchased the Troy-Bilt 27 ton from Lowes when they had 0% for 18 months. Honda engine, no complaints
 
I bought the dirty hand tools 22t from lowes last March. Same model is on sale now for 999. I had never heard of the brand but it turned out to be pretty reliable. The action is fairly fast and retraction is slightly faster. Upgraded heads and other attachments are availibility too. I'm usually kind of wary of buying big ticket items at Lowe's or hoe Home Depot due to their special part numbers and sometimes cheaper parts, but this thing is solid.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
 
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Make sure to note beam height when visiting splitter models in store/showroom. Troy-bilt/CubCadet/MTD clones have a lower beam than SpeeCo clones and DHT. The taller beam might be more comfortable for you and your back.
 
Yea, if your burning wood for heat, go for the splitter. Your right you can split by hand faster. The splitter is the turtle, but in the end it will win the race.

Mine is this and I have no issues.
A basic 2 stage, around 22 ton, major American brand around $1000. It will split anything
20 - 22 ton his is heavy. Moving a 30 -35 ton machine by hand looks impossible.
Look around now, what's left they should be making deals on.
Don't get crazed with cycle times numbers. It will out work you. I run mine at half speed.
Vertical mode is a must. Unless you have a way to lift 24" rounds.
Make sure the motor sits forward or above the oil tank. I've seen some that have the motor where the split falls.
A table attachment is nice to have. I'm still looking for one.
Mine is a beam type, which is nice. Others can comment on the formed metal
They need to be built real strong at the foot and piston attachment.
 
For me, if I could have a brain fart and it can cut off my hand, slow is just fine.
 
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We have a 27 ton Troy built with a Honda motor. No idea what it cost new but it has been a good splitter.
 
Do you have a northern tool near you? Check out their powerhorse brand. Love mine so far, starts first pull every time, splits anything and a replacement motor was $169 off the shelf. The splitter cost just under $1000 if I remember right.

image.jpeg
 
I bought a Dirty Hand Tools 27-ton with the Kohler engine for about that amount at Lowes about a month ago. Impressed with it so far and I have about 24 hours on it, but I do wish it had a faster cycle time. For the money it was a great purchase and outside of the hydraulic speed (all splitters are about same) I have no complaints. Based on what I have done so far (almost all softwood - mostly Fir and Ponderosa Pine) I think I would not notice much difference between this one and the 22-ton.
 
I've got the dht 27 as well. The slower ram doesn't bother me. You can stop it half way any way so it doesn't need the full 24 inch stroke.

I also split at about half throttle. It's quieter and a tank of gas lasts a long time. Just did some tough black locust yesterday. Only thought about bumping the throttle once on a monster knot
 
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I have learned to run it at half throttle on the dry rounds and it does go a long way on a tank of gas. Just finished splitting a cord of tamarack and fir - figured it took me about 6 hours doing it by myself and stacking as I went. Got a third of a log truck full of dried logs from a friend. Only complaint is they were pretty dirty - was hell on the chains but most of the bark is coming off with the dirt.

Pretty sure I could have gotten away with a 22-ton machine, but like the weight and beef of the bigger one. My shins look like I was attacked by a pair of feral cats - price you pay for wearing shorts!
 
Be careful with running half throttle on many these newer engines. They rely on full throttle operation for proper lubrication and cooling.
 
I bought a DHT 27 ton model last fall. I have not found a piece of wood that can stop it. Yesterday we worked on a pile of oak logs that were cut last summer. Some of the rounds were approximately 24 inches wide and so heavy we had to stand up the splitter. Plows through them all. Mine runs full throttle all the time. It doesn't use that much gas to worry about it.
 
What do people think of Iron and Oak splitters ?

I know they are more commercial grade but I have a dealer nearby actually 15 minutes away but didn't know it until a few days ago. I see they have a 15 ton iron and oak splitter made in USA. Geared for farm and home use unlike their much more expensive stuff. $1300 bucks. Has a Honda engine on it and claimed 8 sec auto return cycle time. Only splits up to 18 inches but I buck at 16 inch or slightly less for my small insert.

Seems like a heavy duty built splitter on a budget ?
 
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