Can't beat good quality used equipment!woodsmaster said:Kenster said:
Those finders are nice. you dont dent them when you drop wood on them. The only complaint I have about that spliter is that it is SLOW. A friend told me some holes can be drilled out to make it faster but I haven't tried it yet. Also wish they came with a 4 way wedge. That splitter is unstoppableGreat deal at 1/3 price of at store.
Finally! I got my splitter!
- Thread starter Kenster
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In my case, we heat an almost 4000 square foot house with a VC Vigilant. The VC keeps the main part of the house in the low to mid 70s when it's below freezing outside. Our alternative is electric heat as we have 100% electricity. But I have all the 'free' wood I'll ever need and my time is free. It will take longer for the splitter to pay for itself (unless I start selling some). It wouldn't have ever made financial sense to buy a new $2000 splitter for my needs. But getting a $2000 splitter (including tax) for $1000 helps soften the blow somewhat.
velvetfoot
Minister of Fire
Nice buy. I've said it before, but I just got splitting a grapple load with the table from the guy on eBay, and it worked great with some pretty big pieces. Comes off/on in 10 seconds too.
So, I got home from my quick trip to Dallas. Changed clothes. Went out and double checked the fluids. Oil is full and looks like it just came out of the can. The Hydro fluid is a clear as water and almost impossible to see on the dip stick. It was just above the bottom fill line. I put in maybe half a gallon of gas. I tightened all the hose clamps but not needed more than maybe half a turn. Didn't see a primer like on our lawn mowers. Set the choke, opened the throttle. Fired up on the third pull. Remember that this splitter has been in storage for seven years since new and has never had a drop of gas in it.
It has also been sitting for almost 48 hours since we pulled it home on a trailer, long enough for all the fluids to settle down.
Okay, running smooth. I engaged the hydraulic lever. The wedge starts moving but sort of stuttering on the down stroke. Retract is very smooth.
I gave it another down stroke, very smooth. A few up and down strokes follow. No more stutters. I shut it down and find that the fluid level has dropped. Not unexpected, of course. I had a gallon of universal so I added it. Still only halfway between the Fill zone marks.
<--------------Fill------------------>
But I figure it is safe for now.
After it warmed up the muffler started putting out a lot of smoke. I figure it was just burning off a film of oil. The smoke disappeared after a while of running.
The only imperfection I see is that the plate on the tongue that the jack attaches to is bent in, rather than being perpendicular to the tongue beam, so the jack foot does not sit flush with the ground/ garage floor. It's toes in quite a bit. I tried to straighten it out with a hand sledge but that didn't make a dent in it. This will prevent a good stable platform. How should I handle this? Take it to a welder and let him heat it up and bend it back into place?
Other than that, it looks good to go! Hopefully, I'll have time to get out to the stacks and give it a try out soon.
It has also been sitting for almost 48 hours since we pulled it home on a trailer, long enough for all the fluids to settle down.
Okay, running smooth. I engaged the hydraulic lever. The wedge starts moving but sort of stuttering on the down stroke. Retract is very smooth.
I gave it another down stroke, very smooth. A few up and down strokes follow. No more stutters. I shut it down and find that the fluid level has dropped. Not unexpected, of course. I had a gallon of universal so I added it. Still only halfway between the Fill zone marks.
<--------------Fill------------------>
But I figure it is safe for now.
After it warmed up the muffler started putting out a lot of smoke. I figure it was just burning off a film of oil. The smoke disappeared after a while of running.
The only imperfection I see is that the plate on the tongue that the jack attaches to is bent in, rather than being perpendicular to the tongue beam, so the jack foot does not sit flush with the ground/ garage floor. It's toes in quite a bit. I tried to straighten it out with a hand sledge but that didn't make a dent in it. This will prevent a good stable platform. How should I handle this? Take it to a welder and let him heat it up and bend it back into place?
Other than that, it looks good to go! Hopefully, I'll have time to get out to the stacks and give it a try out soon.
woodsmaster
Minister of Fire
It's a 12.0 I/C. I have no idea what "I/C" means.
I'd also like to find an owners manual for this exact model. The current manuals on the SpeeCo and TSC sites give a different model number for the current 35 ton units. The tag on my splitter gives a model number LS401222. I Googled it with no success.
A few people have commented that the 35 ton is strong but too slow. It's suppose to be a 14 second full cycle. 14 seconds doesn't seem too slow to me.
I'd also like to find an owners manual for this exact model. The current manuals on the SpeeCo and TSC sites give a different model number for the current 35 ton units. The tag on my splitter gives a model number LS401222. I Googled it with no success.
A few people have commented that the 35 ton is strong but too slow. It's suppose to be a 14 second full cycle. 14 seconds doesn't seem too slow to me.
smokinj
Minister of Fire
TreePointer
Minister of Fire
My Huskee 35-ton (2009 build) is rated to have a 15s cycle time. It's usually as fast as I am in a one man operation.
TreePointer, you raise a good point. I'm basing the "14 second Cycle speed" based on the info on the website for the current splitter. I don't really know the actual numbers for this one, which the seller said was bought seven years ago.
As I have said here before over the years, something that can take my fingers off moving a little slow doesn't bother me at all.
TreePointer
Minister of Fire
Kenster said:
If the seller said it's 14s, then that probably is the rating. I've been watching Huskee/SpeeCo models over the years, and there have been many variations of what seemingly is the same model. Change a component and the specs might change a little. No biggie.
Danno77
Minister of Fire
Stands for industrial /commercial. Slightly more gooder engine than consumer engine.Kenster said:
velvetfoot
Minister of Fire
I wouldn't go too crazy with filling with hyd. fluid because it does seem to expand when hot, then it can spill out the breather easier.
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
Very nice . . . and a heckuva deal. Good things do come to those who wait . . .
Toe plate rust/painting: You can paint the toe plate, but chances are the pain will wear away before too long . . . especially if it is in contact with wood.
Fluids: As mentioned I wouldn't worry too much about the fluids . . . just keep it above the minimum level.
Speed: I've never been too concerned about having the fastest splitter either . . . I mean it's not like I'm in a drag race with this thing . . . and truthfully, most of the time by the time I've reached for the next split and come back the splitter is ready to go.
Oil the Beam: One thing I do occasionally is just squirt a bit of oil on the metal beam . . . the manual that came with my splitter recommended this . . . and I grew up doing this as well . . . well actually the home made splitter made by Dad just leaked hydraulic oil on to the beam so it worked as a self lubricating model.
Plastic bent near tire: No worries . . . you'll soon be dropping splits on the plastic fender or resting up against it . . . there really doesn't seem to be a good reason for the fenders in my opinion.
Table: If you're going to spend any money on this near perfect machine I would suggest getting a table or cradle . . . it makes splitting much easier.
Toe plate rust/painting: You can paint the toe plate, but chances are the pain will wear away before too long . . . especially if it is in contact with wood.
Fluids: As mentioned I wouldn't worry too much about the fluids . . . just keep it above the minimum level.
Speed: I've never been too concerned about having the fastest splitter either . . . I mean it's not like I'm in a drag race with this thing . . . and truthfully, most of the time by the time I've reached for the next split and come back the splitter is ready to go.
Oil the Beam: One thing I do occasionally is just squirt a bit of oil on the metal beam . . . the manual that came with my splitter recommended this . . . and I grew up doing this as well . . . well actually the home made splitter made by Dad just leaked hydraulic oil on to the beam so it worked as a self lubricating model.
Plastic bent near tire: No worries . . . you'll soon be dropping splits on the plastic fender or resting up against it . . . there really doesn't seem to be a good reason for the fenders in my opinion.
Table: If you're going to spend any money on this near perfect machine I would suggest getting a table or cradle . . . it makes splitting much easier.
yooperdave
Minister of Fire
ken-it has come to my attention that, somewhere on this thread, it was pointed out that you only need 1 1/2 cord per year. since i am in a northern locale (and use a damn lot more wood) and you are in a southern locale, it only stands to reason that since we are both members of a forum that constantly offers to help each other out, that you will let me use/have the splitter. i am still unemployed, so i should be home any day you would like to deliver the splitter (since you and your friend are already familiar with the loadup and tie down) and by all means, take the wives along again because we have many fine restaurants in the area. pm me when you are getting close so we can finalize the delivery time.
well, it was worth a try, no? sounds like a great deal! congrats!
well, it was worth a try, no? sounds like a great deal! congrats!
muncybob
Minister of Fire
richg said:
Is this cradle better quality than the TSC, which seems flimsy to me?? I searched Blaine's website but could not find it. I'm thinking of having a local welder fab a cradle for me if I can't find a decent one cheaper.
@Muncybob. My splitter beam has no holes at all in which to attach a cradle. I guess I would have to have it drilled out. I sure don't have a drill capable of punching through that beam! Are there cradles with a different type of attachment? In the meantime, I'm going to build a table out of scrap wood. Maybe used clamps to hold it to the beam.
@Yooper Dave. I pass through the UP a couple of times a year, coming down from Mack City to Green Bay. I'll drop it off sometime.
@Yooper Dave. I pass through the UP a couple of times a year, coming down from Mack City to Green Bay. I'll drop it off sometime.
muncybob
Minister of Fire
I was renting a splitter up until this year from a guy that had 2 cradles welded directly onto his beam...smaller one on the user side and larger on the opposite. Worked great for horiz splitting but I would guess they would get in the way going vert. I do split both ways and since my beam does have holes I'll be looking to bolt one on. The majority of my splitting is done horiz though, I have a pickaroon with 4.5' handle and just back up the truck to the splitter and pull them off...ez pz!
BTW, great buy on that splitter...maybe you'll be doing firwood sales on a part time basis!
BTW, great buy on that splitter...maybe you'll be doing firwood sales on a part time basis!
Jutt77
Feeling the Heat
Kenster said:
Also, if you ever need to sell it, you could easily get your money back or even make a couple of hundred. Nice work!
I deflowered her today. There has been a big pine trunk down in the front yard of neighbor down the road for several months. I finally asked the widow lady if I could take it. She was happy to be rid of it. I went down and bucked it up today and brought it home. Even in 100 degree heat I was anxious to finally try the splitter out. Now, dry pine is not exactly much of a challenge to this 35 ton Huskee but I got her done. Maybe a 1/4 to 1/3 a cord in about 45 minutes with several water breaks.
I had her swinging from both sides of the plate, too. Mostly vertical because the many 21 inch long bucks were also about 20 inches diameter. I rolled them off the back of the pickup and on to the toe plate. The really fat rounds took several slices to get splits the size I wanted them.
I've never cut or burned pine before. This stuff is already really dry. I figure it will supplement my oak this winter.
I had her swinging from both sides of the plate, too. Mostly vertical because the many 21 inch long bucks were also about 20 inches diameter. I rolled them off the back of the pickup and on to the toe plate. The really fat rounds took several slices to get splits the size I wanted them.
I've never cut or burned pine before. This stuff is already really dry. I figure it will supplement my oak this winter.
Mesquite
Member
Kenster, what will really make you feel good about the deal is when you get some good dry live oak rounds that are hard as concrete and the splitter doesn't even slow up going through them. Then you know you have a splitter!! 
The fun has started, enjoy it.
The fun has started, enjoy it.
thinkxingu
Minister of Fire
Sweet deal, Kenster. Pine's also great for backyard fire pits--low smoke, good fire, not too long on the burn side if you get tired!
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