Enigne Type on woodsplitter

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ampamp

Member
Oct 31, 2010
91
Buffalo - Rochester
I've heard the GX version of the Honda enignes are better than the GC version. Any truth to that.....and for that matter how do they compare to the equiv Briggs? Is one better than the other for cold starts / operation?
 
I have been researching the same thing here is a usefull link for the Honda engines
http://www.woodsplittersdirect.com/index.php?cPath=2_64

a for the Briggs, my buddy has one on his H.F. splitter, valves and or push rods have got stuck at least 3 different occasions on it causing it not to start, repair shop tells him to make sure it is on a compression stroke prior to storing, he does and they still stick
 
As much as it pains me to say this as a flag waving American patriot, there really is no comparison between a Honda and a Briggs small engine. I have had multiples of both. The Honda stands alone across the board. End of story.
 
the only trouble ive had out of a briggs is the one i let run out of oil. Granted they are not as smooth as a honda but around here youll see more old briggs motors than any other brand. Given the choice and money not being an option i like kawisaki. A lot of briggs get miss treated ie never change oil and put up with no stabil or draining the gas out of the carb and tank and get a bad rap. It is hard to beat the smoothness of an ohv honda
 
I would say the Honda will be the better motor and the GX is, I think, the better of the two Honda's.

One big problem with splitting wood in the winter months is that when you crank the motor you are also turning the pump to the hydraulic. That gets pretty darned stiff in the winter months. Of course that would give a big plus for an electric start but we work around it by simply waiting for March and April to do the splitting. I have split in the colder months but, as stated, that rope can pull pretty hard because the oil is stiff then.
 
The difference between the GX and the GC version of the honda is commercial vs. homeowner. The GX is the commercial (i.e heavy duty) version.

That said - I have an old school 8HP briggs on my splitter. Second one for that matter. Runs great, but it is not as smooth or quiet or fuel sipping as the Honda will be. But I can buy the 8hp brigss vertical shaft all day long for 50 bucks, where the Honda is gonna be pricey.
 
When looking at splitters I was looking for one with a Honda engine . . . but ended up getting one with a Briggs engine. So far in Year 2 it still starts easily and runs like a champ . . . I figure if and when it dies I can easily find parts, buy a cheap Briggs engine to replace it or go hog-wild crazy at the time and replace it with a Honda engine . . . but so far . . . so good.
 
Backwoods Savage said:
I would say the Honda will be the better motor and the GX is, I think, the better of the two Honda's.

One big problem with splitting wood in the winter months is that when you crank the motor you are also turning the pump to the hydraulic. That gets pretty darned stiff in the winter months. Of course that would give a big plus for an electric start but we work around it by simply waiting for March and April to do the splitting. I have split in the colder months but, as stated, that rope can pull pretty hard because the oil is stiff then.

You could try running a low temp hydraulic fluid, should be available at TSC with the snow plow parts.
 
ok
my thoughts
!I have briggs, honda tecumseh and subaru small engines
they all run great when maintained properly
the two briggs, one overhead valve other valve in block, run lawnmowers
which get little respect and used regularly and run fine
the honda is on a plate compactor, used several times a year
the subaru is on a generator used several times a year
the tecumseh is on a post hole digger used several times a year
the briggs is by far the most common and there are millions of them abused
by homeowners who do not even know how to check the oil, if they thought they should
so briggs probably gets a bad rap, although undeserved
and my lawn mowers are trash picks, thrown away because a homeowner left gas in it over the winter
oh and the onan engine on my JD 420 that is a great engine
 
No problems with the Briggs on my Speeco either.

Looking to find a factory two way splitter for my Case garden tractor one day and then I will have Onan power for splitting too.
 
I have never had a problem with Briggs engines. Maybe I've just been lucky. I know Hondas are good if not better, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy something with a Briggs on it.

I cranked my splitter (with a Briggs motor on it) the other day for the first time in about a year and it fired up on the first pull. Very smooth and pleasant running motor.
 
Greetings! just wanted to add my 2c to this debate....

The other day I went to TSC to look at a new splitter. They had one 22T with B&S engine, and two 28T with the Honda engine. Interestingly enough and to my surprise the B&S started easily, while we struggled a bit with both Hondas. My in-law has a 35T Huskee with B&S engine that he's been operating extensively for the last 5 years problems-free, and he's totally happy with.

These are only anecdotes, and of course should not lead to one conclusion or another; only to say that all engines will reward you with service that is directly related to the service you give them. Some engines are more forgiving than others to lacking maintenance, and some are not so forgiving. Also, all manufacturers have different engine lines: cheap and expensive, so before comparing Hondas to B&S you must make sure that you compare what they consider as the same engine grade.

On a side note for anyone who is looking at the 28T splitter at TSC (with the Honda engine): their latest model appears to have a design flaw. They switched the location of the engine so that now, if you operate the splitter in a vertical mode and you sit facing the splitter rail -- the exhaust is aimed right at your face. Nice touch to keep you warm while being poisoned... I called Speeco, and I was told that you can actually get from them free of charge a deflector that will divert the exhaust gases.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Zevi
 
festerw said:
Backwoods Savage said:
I would say the Honda will be the better motor and the GX is, I think, the better of the two Honda's.

One big problem with splitting wood in the winter months is that when you crank the motor you are also turning the pump to the hydraulic. That gets pretty darned stiff in the winter months. Of course that would give a big plus for an electric start but we work around it by simply waiting for March and April to do the splitting. I have split in the colder months but, as stated, that rope can pull pretty hard because the oil is stiff then.

You could try running a low temp hydraulic fluid, should be available at TSC with the snow plow parts.

Thanks festerw, I've considered that but it really works out great for us doing all the splitting in the spring. We have to haul the wood out with atv, so I just pile it up wherever I want to split it. Once the sap comes up and the weather is a bit more reasonable, I do the splitting and get it done all at once. It works good and gives me the exercise when it is needed.
 
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